What Blossoms in Spring?

April 1, 2014
Grades K-2 The answer to the title question is obvious, given the tulips slowly opening on the cover. However, this gentle book captures the radiant nature of flowers in spring with such simplicity that it's almost poetic. Beginning with the announcement, Spring is here. Days get warmer. New plants begin to grow, the book then features generous close-ups of budding flora, while the text lists the characteristics of springtime. Some photos include a box called What Do You See?, which encourages beginning readers to engage with the illustrations by answering questions about color and other details. Young children appearing in the pictures often become featured players in the narrative and help kids imagine themselves enjoying spring. Vocabulary is boldfaced throughout the text and included again at the back in the glossary. Bright, evocative, and mildly educational.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)