I absolutely love the spring season. After the cold dreariness of late winter, I am always ready for sunshine and green leaves and bright blooms. Spring is a season of rebirth and renewal, and the new life growing everywhere always lifts my spirits.
You may also enjoy these Children’s Books About Passover.
I also love reading about spring with my kids — but hate that I have trouble finding spring books that feature all kinds of people. That’s why I put together this list of diverse spring picture books. Every child benefits from having a diverse bookshelf, and being intentional with our literary choices is one way we can show our children the beauty of a multicultural world.
I hope you enjoy these books as much as we did!
9 Diverse Spring Picture Books
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The Boy Who Didn’t Believe in Spring by Lucille Clifton
Does spring come to the city? In this story, a young boy wonders if spring really exists. He sees no evidence of spring in his neighborhood; there’s no trees, no flowers, and no gardens sprouting. It takes an abandoned lot to show the boy and his friend how spring arrives in an urban neighborhood. This book is a wonderful reminder that beauty can show up in the most unexpected places.
School-aged children (5 and up) will love this classic picture book.
Hello Spring! by Shelley Rotner
What happens when spring arrives? This colorful book features all kinds of children exploring the sights and sounds of the spring season. Your little ones with love the bright and beautiful photographs in this book, and the glossary will help them understand all the special parts of the spring season.
This book is perfect for kids ages 4 and up.
Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn
I love the Lola series! In this book, Lola reads poems about gardens with her mother, and that leads her to planting a garden of her own. Lola learns about gardening by reading books from the library, and she works with her mother to plan the garden. Waiting for her flowers to grow is hard, but when they finally sprout and bloom, Lola enjoys a special garden party with her friends.
This book is great for reading with preschoolers and younger elementary kids.
Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee
This rhyming story explores the April showers that bring May flowers. A little girl puts on her rain gear and heads outside to jump in puddles and observe the wildlife that has also come out to enjoy the rain.
This upbeat, lyrical book is perfect for reading aloud to preschool aged children.
A New Beginning: Celebrating the Spring Equinox by Wendy Pfeffer
This is such a great book! It explores both the science and the cultural significance surrounding the spring equinox. Readers will see how children all over the world celebrate the coming of spring, and will also learn about how our earth changes when the spring season arrives.
This book includes some fun hands-on activities kids can enjoy after they read the book. I highly recommend reading this book with kids ages 5 to 8.
City Green by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan
Marcy loves her city neighborhood, but she’s sad when the city condemns and tears down a large building on her block. She hates how the vacant lot makes her neigborhood look, but she’s not sure what she could possibly do to fix it. Once spring arrives, Marcy and her neighbor decide they’re going to clean up the vacant lot and plant seeds. Their small action creates a ripple effect, and soon the whole neighborhood is involved!
This beautiful story teaches a great lesson about how one positive action can transform a community. It’s perfect for reading with kids ages 4 and up, and includes instructions for creating your own community garden.
The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates
This lovely story tells about a magical umbrella. It is a big, red, happy umbrella, and underneath it there is room for everyone. It doesn’t matter how old you are, what you look like, or even how many legs you have; if you need to come in out of the rain, there’s room for you under the big umbrella.
This story of acceptance and love is an excellent read for all ages, and it pains a gorgeous picture of what a welcoming heart should look like.
Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
In this rhyming story, a little girl and her father go shopping for everything they need to build the girl’s mother a beautiful window box. The warm illustrations in this book convey the beauty that spring’s blooms bring.
The simple text makes this book a great read-aloud with preschoolers, and is also simple enough for new readers to enjoy on their own.
How a Seed Grows by Helene J. Jordan
Isn’t it amazing to think that a little seed can transform into a giant oak tree? This bright and colorful picture book explores the science that causes seeds to grow, and also takes a look at many different kinds of seeds and the plants that grow from them.
This book is perfect for preschoolers and young elementary-aged children, and includes some hands on activities for kids to explore the magic of seeds on their own.
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