Spring is a time of rebirth and a breath of fresh air from the winter doldrums. Armies of candy-hued blossoms stretch as far as the eye can see, glorious warm sunshine-infused days begin to dot our weather forecasts and dreams of long strolls and perfect picnics are a welcome occurrence.
Spring also means pale pastels and the increase of dazzling electric shades such as the increasingly popular cobalt blue and rich greens which are some of the seasons hottest shades to don.
On the book front seasoned authors and young ingenues celebrate the joys of spring in several tales that will put a spring in your step, a perky bunny hop, and will definitely be something to peep about to your students, parents and juvenile readers from here to Timbuktu.
Chickens
Chicks Run Wild by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Published: 2011
These chicks embrace the splendor of childhood in this rollicking story about a mother hen whose "feathers get ruffled" by her rambuncious, spirited baby chicks zany bedtime antics. After numerous attempts to get her little fowl to sleep soundly in their beds, Mama hen unexpectedly joins her golden-feathered crew in a bedtime scheme to tire her chirpy brood. Will her plan help her rule the roost or will these chicks clucking antics get the best out of this frustrated fowl?
Bunnies
Scuba Bunnies by Christine Loomis
Published: 2004
Never underestimate the power of scuba goggles and fins to entrance some bodacious bunnies winsome fantasies. Their imaginations hop off the page as they pretend to scuba dive into the depths of the azure oceans to view enormous whales, schools of florescent fish and reams of other majestic marine life that will leave preschoolers ready to create their own seaworthy adventure. Stunning ocean-tastic images depicting the beasts of the deep invite inquiry and countless conversations for parent and child interaction.
Ducks
Lucky Ducklings by Eva Moore
Published: 2013
Being a Long Island native, this story drew me in faster than a Coney Island hot dog or a piece of New York-style cheesecake. Mix in some darling ducklings, heroic firefighters (sigh....) and a loving mother duck and you had me hooked from page one of this quackingly refreshing true story of a 2000 Long Island duck rescue. By adding Nancy Carpenter's, glossy, old school illustrations, the story was given a tender touch which engages knee-high readers to adults with its vintage charm. This story is definitely one good egg that will crack those with even the hardest shells.
