Woo hoo! It's finally spring! There is an abundance of new spring-themed children's books blooming onto the scene that I'd love to share with you. Read on to discover some fabulously fresh picture books published this year.
Ariana is so excited for her favorite Persian holiday, Nowruz, but her mom is out of town. Normally, Mom creates a beautiful haft-seen display, full of the traditional seven items whose names start with the letter "س" (pronounced "seen"). Ariana, Dad, and Nana come together to collect all of the foods and plants that adorn the gorgeous table. While spending time making baklava by hand with Nana, Ariana learns the true meaning of Nowruz, a welcoming of the springtime season. Families clean their living spaces, buy new clothes, visit friends and family, and share memories of the years past. When Mom gets back home, she is blown away by the haft-seen that Ariana orchestrated!🌺
The newest in Yoon's Is This... series, Is This...Spring? is a hilariously fun peek into the world of a tiny dog who loves being outside, but quickly discovers he has debilitating seasonal allergies. He may be small, but he is resilient! With some help from his human and some protective gear, he heads back out into nature to enjoy the blooming flowers and sunshine. As a lifelong Nashvillian, I can relate.
Henry's mom has had a green thumb her entire life, yet Henry can hardly keep a tiny houseplant alive. Exasperated, he is on the verge of tears when he's doing everything right, but his plant never seems to grow. His mom and his neighbor, Ms. Smith, remind him that growing anything requires trust and hope. When Henry's mom falls ill, he becomes the one in charge of watering and caring for all the indoor and outdoor plants. The garden and indoor plants start to wither and droop, and the neighbors worry about the family.
One day, however, Ms. Smith takes Henry on a walk to a vast orchard planted by his mom and shows him the true meaning of hope. With a renewed heart, Henry returns home, excited to infuse the family plants with a new sense of purpose. "I believe in you...I know you can grow", he says to his little plant. He's astonished to find it beaming with life the next day, and also finds his mom seems more energized the next morning. With hope in his eyes, Henry gives his mom a big hug, telling her how much he believes in her ability to heal.
With so many ways to honor and ring in the new season, these charming books only add to the excitement. Springtime is a blast at Nashville Public Library, especially with the Main library gearing up to reopen next week! What are some of your favorite ways to welcome in the warmer weather?! 🌷🌱🐝
