The theme of seasons can be popular with preschoolers, but to reinforce the concept, it is helpful to break it down into a storytime for each of the four seasons. For a craft project, you can make paper daffodils using cupcake papers or try these paper flowers .
Arden, Carolyn. GOOSE MOON. A little girl is tired of winter, so her grandfather tells her to look for the Goose Moon for an indication that spring is near.
Berger, Carin. FOREVER FRIENDS. In spring, a blue bird invites a rabbit to play and they enjoy the beautiful weather until it is time for the bird to migrate in autumn.
Bridwell, Norman. CLIFFORD’S SPRING CLEAN-UP. Clifford tries to help with spring cleaning, but he really is helpful in the Earth Day activities.
Carr, Jan. Splish, SPLASH, SPRING. Perfect for toddlers, this simple look at spring uses colorful collage illustrations and a rhyming text to engage young listeners.
Clifton, Lucille. THE BOY WHO DIDN’T BELIEVE IN SPRING. Featuring an African-American main character, two city boys search for signs of spring.
Fernandes, Eugenie. KITTEN’S SPRING. Very young children will appreciate this simple look at signs of spring, as seen through the eyes of a kitten. With mixed media collage illustrations in bright colors.
Fleming, Denise. IN THE SMALL, SMALL POND. Fleming’s colorful handmade paper illustrations and a simple rhyming text describe spring in this Caldecott Honor book.
Gershator, Phillis. WHO’S AWAKE IN SPRINGTIME? A cumulative rhyming text, patterned after Little Red Hen, will invite participation as animals go to sleep in spring.
Ghigna, Charles. I SEE SPRING. Signs of spring in nature are reviewed in a colorful rhyming book.
Glaser, Linda. IT’S SPRING. One of four seasonal picture books in a series illustrated with cut paper, the text describes spring in nature, and the book ends with activity ideas.
Hillenbrand, Will. SPRING IS HERE. Colorful cartoons illustrate this tale of Mole, who tries to wake up his friend Bear from hibernation. Lots of onomatopoeia will get the audience participating .
Hunter, Anne. POSSUM AND THE PEEPER. The children will chant the repeated Peep! Peep! Peep! as Possum hunts for whatever animal has awakened him in spring.
Krauss, Ruth. THE HAPPY DAY. With Caldecott Honor illustrations by Marc Simont, various animals share their happiness at the coming of spring.
Newman, Leslea. SKUNK’S SPRING SURPRISE. Skunk wakes up from hibernation and looks for her friends, who are planning to surprise her.
Paul, Ann Whitford. MANANA, IGUANA. Everyone wants to have a spring party, but Tortuga, Conejo, and Culebra leave all the work to Iguana. With some Spanish words.
Wilson, Karma. BEAR WANTS MORE. When he awakes from hibernation, Bear is starving! Luckily, his friends help him find food.