Here comes spring!

PreS--"Here comes spring, all fresh and green, say goodbye to winter's cold." An array of very cheerful animals is taking a dip in a nearby pond at this point in this endearing little story, most of them partially dressed, and there are daffodils, new buds on trees, and tadpoles. VERDICT This is a secular celebration of spring, inconsequential but sweet.--Kimberly Olson Fakih

Woodland animals celebrate spring in this rhyming board book. Bunnies, squirrels, birds, a fox, and a skunk welcome the change in seasons from winter's cold to spring's rebirth. Many of the iconic markers are featured, including daffodils, budding trees, and the green of new growth. The anthropomorphic animals have wide eyes, spring outfits, even glasses and ball caps. They also engage in human activities like picking flowers, catching tadpoles, and making daisy chains. The illustrations feature bright blue hues, soft pinks, and bright yellows, all adding to the glow of growth and the feeling of the world newly warmed. The text reads like a single poem sprawling in pieces across each page. This makes the pace appropriate for very young readers. There are lovely turns of phrase like "exploring tender leaves" and "daffodils of gold." The end wraps up sweetly as, "like merry robins, // we sing a song to spring," the animals with mouths open to the sky joined by their tweeting friends. Though there have been plenty of board books about the seasons for this age group, the lilting rhyme and cute critters make this a pleasure to read. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Simple, well-paced rhymes with darling furry friends. (Board book. 0-2) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.