Muddy Spring

It may seem tardy to those of you well ensconced in spring by now, but we're just starting to get hints of spring so here are two of my favorite spring books:  James and the Rain by Karla Kuskin and Gotta Go! Gotta Go! by Sam Swope.

James and the Rain is a repetitive counting book about a little boy going out to walk in the rain.  I love it, the kids love it.  What's not to love about repetitive phrases like "Do you know any excellent rainy day games?" and "It might be nice if we strolled along."?    There are cows, cats, mice and 7 other animals that they meet on their stroll.  The oil paintings are wonderfully bright.  The finale is superb.  It's simply the best of Spring to me.

Gotta Go! Gotta Go! is the complete cycle of the life of a monarch butterfly, beginning and ending with a caterpillar and an egg.  I've mentioned it before, but I love the language in this book.  The illustrations are sparse so we have some trouble in holding the attention of the littler one in our house.  It's better read while they are moving about than sitting down and snuggling in to read.  Again there's the repetitive refrain, "Gotta go! Gotta go!  Gotta go to Mexico!"  The little caterpillar runs into all kinds of nay-sayers.  He holds true to his instinct, "I know what I know, I gotta go to Mexico!"  It's a great story of determination as well....all those miles! 

So there you have it my favorite Spring Books

I should also mention that I love The Country Bunny and the little Golden Shoes.  I think that may be a childhood thing, as my own children weren't that impressed with it.  I love that a mother bunny takes wonderful care of her family and that the skills she uses in that task translate into fulfilling a childhood dream of being one of the Easter bunnies.  All the while those trained little bunnies take care of things at home.  It's a beautiful book.



What about you?  What are your favorite spring books?  Or the ones that help you think spring when it doesn't feel much like it around you?