Sunday, March 20, 2011

Welcoming Spring with Picture Books

Spring is Here by Will Hillenbrand

Stars: ****

Holiday House (2011)

Summary: Excited that spring has finally arrived, Mole tries--unsuccessfully--to wake up Bear, but then he comes up with the perfect plan.

This is the first book by Will Hillenbrand I've read but I'll be on the lookout for more (and he's certainly written a lot!) It's very simple but very cute. It contains some sound words, "Toot, Swish, Knock" that kids love and the illustrations (also by Will Hillenbrand) are adorable.

Since it's not too long, a two year old should be able to stay interested but it's not so simple that a five year old would be bored.

Links of Interest: Will Hillenbrand,
Other Reviews: NONE YET

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In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer

Stars:  ****

Holiday House (2011)
Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Summary: In this exuberant, rhythmic story, March, personified as a lion, enters a boy's cozy home and leaves a trail of snow flurries and muddy footprints. The boy calmly observes the pouncing, howling, growling lion until in comes the lamb on the crest of a huge sneeze. Escorted by grass, flowers, sunshine, showers, and animal babies large and small, the lamb brings forth spring.

This was a cute book but involved a lot of explanation to my three and five year old on what Spring has to do with a Lion and Lamb and that the Lion and Lamb don't really roam around when Spring comes. However everyone learns the meaning of the saying eventually and explaining while reading a story helped them understand better than just an oral explanation.

The illustrations were created with pen, ink and watercolours and have a nice Spring look to them. I like the combination of ink and watercolour. The story is very poetic and includes great vocabulary words.
"Or will he skulk through the greening grass,eyes scheming,teeth gleaming,waiting for the lamb to pass?"
I always like picture books that increase my children's vocabulary.

Links of Interest: NONE
Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*I received a copy of these books to review. All opinions are honest are are not affected by how I acquired the book.