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and then it's spring

A sublime picture book captures the long, anticipation-filled wait for spring and the moment it culminates in sudden realization that spring has finally arrived. Julie Fogliano’s spare, fresh, lyrical writing is paired with Erin E. Stead’s delicate, whimsy-filled illustrations depicting a young gardener planning seeds and then waiting . . . and hoping. Days turn into weeks: “and the brown, / still brown, / has a greenish hum / that you can only hear / if you put your ear to the ground / and close your eyes.” Despite this careful observation, the boy still misses the moment when spring sneaks in and transforms the landscape: “and you walk outside / to check on all that brown, / but the brown isn’t around / and now you have green, / all around / you have / green.” Humorous details enliven illustrations that show a brown, muddy landscape that is ultimately transformed to vibrant green. ©2012 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Erin Stead

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 3-7
Age Range: Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3) PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Observation Seasons Senses

Publishers: Neal Porter Books, Roaring Brook
Publish Year: 2012
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781596436244

CCBC Location: Picture Book, Fogliano

and then it's spring