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Caroline Luzzatto | Virginian-Pilot Correspondent
Spring is here, bringing with it rain, mud, bugs, birds, frogs, flowers and the joy of rediscovering long, leisurely hours outside. These new picture books capture the delight of unpredictable weather, touring the neighborhood on a bicycle, communing with plants and creatures — and embracing the endless fascination of spring spreading through backyards, gardens and streets, with the promise of summer just around the corner.
“A Seed Grows” by Antoinette Portis. (Ages 4 through 8. Neal Porter Books. $18.99.)
With simple words and bold, bright illustrations, author/illustrator Antoinette Portis takes a poetic look at the life cycle of a sunflower.
Optimistic springtime gardeners will appreciate the step-by-step path from seed to sprout to towering plant shedding seeds that start the process all over again. Notes at the end discuss the cycle in a bit more detail, and include other resources and help for those who want to grow their own.
“Wild Blue” by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Laura Hughes. (Ages 3 through 7. Candlewick Press. $18.99.)
Spring is the perfect time for whizzing through the park on a bicycle, wind in your hair, tires splashing through puddles … if you can keep your balance.
Dashka Slater’s vivid tale of taming “Wild Blue” — a frisky two-wheeler — captures the excitement and uncertainty of this rite of passage.
“Wild Blue goes slow and a little wobbly, because she’s not sure who’s in charge,” the budding bicyclist notes. “I’m not sure who’s in charge, either, but I know it’s supposed to be me.”
The brave rider keeps on pedaling — and Wild Blue helps her unleash her wild, wheeled side too.
“Let’s Go Puddling!” by Emma Perry, illustrated by Claire Alexander. (Ages 2 through 5. Candlewick Press. $17.99.)
Emma Perry’s ode to puddle-jumping youngsters is nothing less than joyful. A trio of toddlers, with their families in tow, set out on a rainy day to stomp and splash through the city.
“Umbrellas fly, coats flap. Busy people, heads down, miss the fun.”
But not these youngsters (depicted in flowing watercolor-style digital illustrations). Soaked, muddy, splashed by dogs and bicycles, they make their way home at the end of their jaunt to dry off and have a happy snuggle as the rain ends and a rainbow spreads through the sky.
“The Nature Journal: A Backyard Adventure” by Savannah Allen. (Ages 4 through 8. Viking Books for Young Readers. $18.99.)
Tim and his dad are “like bacon and eggs” — great together. Tim, an avid observer of nature, can’t resist adding to his nature journal and wants to share his findings with his dad, who’s also a nature buff. When Dad is too busy, Tim makes a creative leap and writes his own imaginary adventure.
His father finds his dream-inspired story — and together, father and son start filling new pages of their nature journals. As Tim’s father puts it, “of all my adventures, being your dad is my favorite one.”
Filled with cheerful illustrations and encouragement to explore, this warm and loving story will inspire young scientists, writers and illustrators to take their talents outside.
“Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider” by Jessica Lanan. (Ages 4 through 8. Roaring Brook Press. $19.99.)
The luscious watercolor illustrations, beautifully designed to show a spider’s point of view, add delight to this wonderful eight-legged, eight-eyed view of a backyard arachnid who’s anything but ordinary.
In Jumper’s world, “the corner garden is a jungle, where she can find and stalk her prey,” although she needs to steer clear of predators herself.
Jessica Lanan’s book is a feast, describing the vibrating, visually dense, webby world of the spider — and it ends with more detailed information about spider life and science, for young scientists who hope to spot this high-jumping star of the backyard.
Caroline Luzzatto has taught preschool and fourth grade. Reach her at luzzatto.bookworms@gmail.com
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