Our Springiest Picture Book Picks

The Giant Jumperee, by Julia Donaldson and Helen Oxenbury
When it comes to read-alouds, Donaldson and Oxenbury know exactly what they’re doing—they brought us We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Room on the Broom, after all. And now they’re back with a fable that will quickly become your family’s favorite. When rabbit comes home to his burrow, there’s somebody there already! The uninvited visitor calls himself The Giant Jumperee, and Rabbit’s going to have to enlist the help of all his friends (and maybe a Mama Frog with a Big Mama Voice) to solve the mystery!

Over and Under the Pond, by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
Informative and visually arresting, Over and Under the Pond is a delight to read over and over again. Day turns into night as a son and his mother traverse a placid mountain pond. Indeed, there’s not a ripple in sight on the glassy surface, but just below the boat, there’s a magical world of plants and animals to discover. Jump in with your little reader tonight!

You Nest Here With Me, by Jane Yolen, Heidi Stemple, and Melissa Sweet
Gentle rhymes and captivating illustrations make this picture book irresistible—especially when it’s time to wind down. Readers of all ages will immediately understand that even the smallest nests take a lot of love and effort; from barn doors to concrete ledges, bird homes of all ilk are rendered in broad watercolor swaths and a muted palette. Budding ornithologists will delight in the portraits of familiar birds, even as their eyelids droop, and their curiosity will be piqued by the more rare specimens that Sweet deftly sneaks into these pages.

If You Plant a Seed, by Kadir Nelson
When you teach your children to plant a seed, they learn about toil, patience, and generosity through the gentle rhythm of sowing and reaping. They also learn to always expect growth when they treat the world as their garden. This allegory is skillfully—and beautifully—told, and your little reader will witness all the good fruit that comes from careful cultivation, mindfulness, and love.

Finding Spring, by Carin Berger
Maurice, a mischievous bear cub, can’t wait to see his first spring, and he chafes at the notion of hibernating for a whole season until it arrives. Mama Bear settles him in for his long nap, but it isn’t long before Maurice, inevitably, emerges from their den and enlists the help of forest friends to help him find an expression of this elusive season. Warm and fuzzy illustrations and a soothing narrative make this story an ideal prelude to a springtime snooze.

Some Bugs, by Angela DiTerlizzi Brendan Wenzel
This vibrant picture book spotlights the busy, buzzy world in our backyards, and it will quickly become a must-read in your house. From grasshoppers to butterflies—and everything in between—you can comfortably get up close and personal with more than 45 bugs. Read first—then grab your magnifying glass and get exploring!