And Then It's Spring

Fogliano, J. And Then It’s Spring. Illustrated by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook Press, 2012. 32 pages. $16.99. ISBN 9781596436244.

Summary:

Caldecott Award-winning illustrator Stead (A Sick Day for Amos McGee) creates a soft, intimate world for this gentle story with her signature woodblock and colored pencil illustrations. “First you have brown,/ all around you have brown…” is how the story begins, a story of a brown world that becomes a green world over the course of several weeks. Our protagonist is a somber boy with glasses who plants seeds. He waits and waits for his seeds to sprout; he worries that it was the birds that might have eaten his seeds, or maybe the bears who might have stomped on them. He waits for rain and sun. He waits another week, and another… And finally that brown world turns to green! This book is beautifully illustrated and conveys the perfect mood for the simple, progressive text.

Curriculum Connections:

There is lots that would connect this book with a kindergarten or first grade study on seeds and gardening. There is so much waiting with gardening for children, and this book conveys that in a very sweet way. Kindergarteners may be invited to notice how the boy’s attire changes as the season progresses, from ski hat and scarf to shorts and bare feet.

Personal Reflections:

In one two-page spread, Stead creates a view of the earth beneath our feet: she shows the worm and ant tunnels, as well as the tiny roots of the seeds. This is a great page for a close look: noticing those little roots, even when there is no green showing above ground.

Awards:

None yet (4/30/12)!

Age/Interest Range:

PreK-7

Genre/Themes:

Seasons, Spring, Gardening

Read-Alikes:

It’s Spring (Glaser) is more vibrantly illustrated but both books embrace the coming of spring and the change of seasons.

Our Seasons

Lin, Grace and Ranida T. McKneally. Our Seasons. Illustrated by Grace Lin. Charlesbridge, 2006. Unpaged. $16.95. ISBN 9781570913600.

Summary:

Pairing science and nature with evocative haiku is a unique way to present a nonfiction text. Lin’s colorful, gouache illustrations of our four, multiethnic main characters, Ki-Ki, Owen, Lily, and Kevin, take us through the four seasons of the year. Each two-page spread has a 1.5 page illustration, with an accompanying haiku that relates to the informational sidebar. Each sidebar is headed by a question, one that curious children might have wondered about such as, “Why is the air sticky?” and “Why do I tan?” (summer), or “Why is there frost on the window?” (winter), or “What makes the wind?” (autumn). There are three two-page spreads devoted to each season. The language of the science question and answer is accessible to young listeners: “No matter how cold it is outside, your body is always a steady, warm temperature.” And the accompanying haiku: “Ki-Ki sees her breath,/ She pretends she’s a dragon/ Blowing out hot steam.” This is a cheerful and accessible summary of some of the key features of the seasons and a simple introduction to the form of haiku poetry.

Curriculum Connections:

This would make an excellent read aloud during a first or second grade unit on the seasons of the year. Alternatively, it’s a good browsing book and would be a nice addition to a classroom library. Since the content of haiku poetry is typically related to nature, this would be a way to introduce young writers to the haiku form and themes.

Personal Reflections:

I enjoyed the simple format of this book and like the colorful illustrations, which will “read” well for a shared read-aloud. The question and answer format is just the right hook for an audience of early grade listeners.

Awards:

Age/Interest Range:

6-10

Genre/Themes:

Science, Seasons, Poetry, Nonfiction

Read-Alikes:

Though there are many picture books about various seasons and the associated activities, this one seems to have a unique place. The haiku narrative and accompanying factual information remind me of the style of Song of the Water Boatman (Sidman).

Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day

McMullan, Kate. Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day. Illustrated by R.W. Alley. Dial Books, 2009. 40 pages. $14.99. ISBN 9780803730854.

Summary:

April Fools’ Day is not Wagner’s day! In three funny chapters, we follow Wagner through his day at school. Pearl informs him that their teacher is roller-skating around the classroom… “April fools!” Next, his teacher gets tricky when she asks for the class’ homework… “April fools!” It turns out, the whole school is brimming with jokes, from the library to the cafeteria and Wagner gets tricked every time. When Ms. Star announces a math test, Wagner is sure it’s another joke, but this time it’s the truth! “Phooey… This is not my day!” The bad day continues when indoor gym becomes a dance contest and Wagner is no dancer. But by the final chapter, Wagner is ready to make up for lost time and pulls out a joke that fools everyone.

Curriculum Connections:

What first or second grader doesn’t love hearing about a good April Fools’ Day prank? Those who are new to school will appreciate the lighthearted tone here, as well as the explorations of some of the social issues that arise for Wagner as he begins to feel excluded from the joking.

Personal Reflections:

Alley’s sweet illustrations of the animals in Wagner’s school are charming. He especiallly excels at conveying emotion and expressions: Pearl’s glee when she tricks him about the roller skates, Wagner’s glumness at the reality of the math test.

Awards:

ALA Notable Children’s Book for Younger Readers, 2010.

Age/Interest Range:

PreK-8

Genre/Themes:

Friendship, Humor, April Fools’ Day, School

Read-Alikes:

This is the third book in the Pearl and Wagner series. It fits solidly into that genre of early readers that shows friendship in various forms, like Mouse and Mole, Frog and Toad, and, though not an early reader, George and Martha.