Spring is Here

"Spring is here. / The snow melts. / The earth is fresh. / The grass sprouts." Taro Gomi's picture book about the change of seasons couldn't be simpler. The first spread shows a white calf against a hot-pink background. "Spring is here," it says. In the next spread "the snow melts." And indeed, the once snow-white calf is now spotted black and white! Gomi walks toddlers through harvest, more snowfall, and comes full-circle back to spring, only this time "the calf has grown." Publishers Weekly calls Spring Is Here "the perfect picture book," and now, in its latest ultra-sturdy board-book incarnation, it may last a few more seasons! (Baby to preschool) --Karin Snelson