Spring Is Here!

	When Will It Be Spring? by Catherine Walters Age Level: Toddler and up
Synopsis: Although Mother Bear urges Alfie to be patient and sleep, he cannot wait to see tiny butterflies on the wing and hear baby birds chirp in the trees.

Song

During the Spring

During the Spring, it often showers
[Flutter fingers down.]
Or the sun shines for many hours
[Form circle in the air with arms.]
Both are good for the flowers!
[Cup each hand and extend arms like flowers.]

	Spring Song by Barbara Seuling Age Level: Toddler and up
Synopsis: When new leaves sprout, buds appear, cocoons burst open, and other signs announce the coming of spring, various animals from bears to bullfrogs respond to the warmth of the season.

Flannel Board

Five Little Bunnies

One little bunny,
Wondering what to do,
Another bunny came along,
Then there were two.

Two little bunnies,
Hopping like me,
Another bunny came along,
Then there were three.

Three little bunnies,
Jumping around outdoors,
Another bunny joined them,
Then there were four.

Four little bunnies,
So fluffy and alive,
Another bunny joined them,
Then there were five.

Five little bunnies,
Ready for some fun,
Hopped away in the
Warm, spring sun.

	My Spring Robin by Anne F. Rockwell Age Level: Toddler and up
Synopsis: Before finding the robin she is searching for, a child discovers other interesting fauna and flora in her backyard.

Song

Five Little Flowers

Five Little Flowers Standing in the sun
[Hold up 5 fingers.]
See their heads nodding, Bowing one by one
[Bend fingers several times.]
Down, down, down Comes the gentle rain
[Raise hands, wiggle fingers and lower hands.]
And the 5 little flowers Lift up their heads again
[Hold up 5 fingers.]

One little flower growing just for you.
[Hold up 1 finger.]
Up came another and then there were two.
[Hold up 2 fingers.]
Two little flowers growing near a tree.
Up came another and then there were three.
[Hold up 3 fingers.]
Three little flowers growing more and more.
[Move hand up.]
Up came another and then there were four
[Hold up 4 fingers.]
Four little flowers growing side by side.
Up came another and then there were five.

Countdown to Spring! An Animal Counting Book by Janet Schulman Age Level: Toddler and up

Synopsis: What a wonderful way for preschoolers to practice counting and, at the same time, celebrate the coming of spring! From ten little ladybugs crawling all around the crocuses to one Easter basket brimful of carrots, corn, berries, and other treats for the animals, this book is a joy to share with a very young child. Meilo So's inspired and deft watercolor paintings of bunnies, chicks, ducklings, and other little woodland creatures set against a tapestry of flowers capture the very essence of spring.

Song

My Garden

This is my garden
[Extend palm.]
I rake it with care
[Pretend to rake with three fingers.]
And then I plant flower seeds in there
[Pretend to plant.]
The sun will shine
[Hold arms in circle over head.]
And the rain will fall
[Wiggle fingers on both hands as move downwards.]
And my garden will blossom
[Cup hands.]
And grow straight and tall
[Stretch arms/hands up slowly.]

	Wake Up, It's Spring! by Lisa Campbell Ernst Age Level: Toddler and up
Synopsis: Word of the arrival of spring spreads from earth to worm to seed to lady bug and on through the natural world to a sleeping family, until everyone is dancing in celebration.

Films

	Picnic by Emily Arnold McCully Age Level: PreK-2
Synopsis: A little mouse gets lost on the way to a family picnic.

---

More Books to Read On Your Own

Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic
by Steven Schnur
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: Describes spring, with its animals, green smells, and renewed outside activities. When read vertically, the first letters of the lines of text spell related words arranged alphabetically, from "April" to "zenith."

Mouse's First Spring
by Lauren Thompson
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: Mouse experiences his first spring with his mother.

---

More Songs for at Home

Little Plant

In the heart of a seed buried down so deep
[Make a fist.]
A little plant lay fast asleep
Awake said the sun
[Make large circle over head with arms.]
Come up through the earth
Awake said the rain
[Flutter fingertips down.]
We're giving you birth
The little plant heard with a happy sigh,
[Open hand, turn fingers upward, raise arm slowly.]
And pointed its petals up to the sky.