Hey There, Springtime: 30 Best Spring Books for Preschoolers

After a long winter of our favorite snow children’s books, we are ready for sunnier books. These 30 spring books for preschoolers are perfect for early learners from toddlers to early elementary. Babies will love the springtime board book on this list too!

What can toddlers learn about spring?

Developmentally-appropriate spring ideas for toddlers are pointing out the weather, playing outside, and connecting their real-life experiences with those in spring books.

What can you teach preschoolers about spring?

Preschoolers can start to compare and contrast the different seasons. They are old enough to learn about spring holidays, the changing weather, and basic science facts like plant and animal behaviors. These springtime books are a perfect introduction to the spring season.

Introducing Spring

Spring is Here!

By Heidi Pross Gray

Spring is Here! is a sweet springtime children’s book perfect for toddlers and younger preschoolers. The story uses repetition to share nature’s signs that spring has arrived. This book is part of a wholesome series of children’s books about the seasons. 

Abracadabra, It’s Spring!

By Anne Sibley O’Brien & Susan Gal

In this book, you’ll find magic spells, rhyming lyrics, and nature in the springtime. The pages fold out, adding another layer of whimsy to the story. Sometimes I stumble across children’s books and just feel so happy that they exist. This is one of those. Bring this book home, and you’ll likely be reading it again and again.

Spencer Knows Spring

By Tiffany Obeng, illustrated by Tharushi Fernando

Spencer is the main character of this children’s book. And he’s kind of an expert on spring. Let him be your tour guide and introduce you to all the signs of springtime. The age-appropriate text and cheerful illustrations make this a favorite springtime storybook.

The Spring Book

By Todd Parr

The silly doodle illustrations are a well-known characteristic of Todd Parr children’s books. Personally, I appreciate how these books are always diverse and inclusive. Readers will learn about springtime weather, nature, activities, and holidays in The Spring Book.

This book is available in hardcover and board book.

Busy Spring: Nature Wakes Up

By Sean Taylor & Alex Morss, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu

“The spring sunlight is nature’s alarm clock.” And nature is busy this season. The animals, bugs, and plants are all busy. This nature-based book has plenty of scientific facts about springtime. Cozy illustrations perfectly match the story of a family venturing outdoors to enjoy the warm weather together.

When Spring Comes

By Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek

When Spring Comes provides early learners with a basic, but endearing introduction to springtime. The text is short but poetic. Readers will learn about the sounds, sights, and smells of springtime. The bold, painted illustrations highlight the hallmarks of springtime, such as melting snow, budding leaves, blossoms, and busy animals. 

Waiting for Spring

Happy Springtime!

By Kate McMullan, illustrated by Sujean Rim

I literally judged this book by the cover. And it seemed a little cheesy and superficial. But I was wrong.

The watercolor-style illustrations are captivating. The book is described as “a love letter” to spring. The lovely, fun text promises readers not to worry; warmer weather is coming. Children will recognize familiar animals and activities (like suiting up to play outside).

And Then It’s Spring

By Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

And Then It’s Spring guides readers through the slow, and then suddenly winter turns into spring. In this sweet story, a determined child wants winter browns to turn into spring greens. They plant seeds and patiently wait (weeks!) for sprouts. 

I adore the illustrations that give a glimpse into the underground world. The touch of humor in the story caught me by surprise. 

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

By Kenard Pak

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring takes us on a journey from winter into spring. The book follows a boy and his dog as they greet the world. We can see a visual change in the seasons using color palettes of dark, cool colors for winter and bright greens for spring. This book is a perfect reminder that early spring snows will always eventually turn into warmer weather.

Spring Board Books

A Little Book about Spring

By Leo Lionni, illustrated by Julie Hamilton

This board book by Leo Lionni includes familiar mouse characters and collage artwork. Readers will learn basic springtime concepts such as blossoming flowers, budding trees, and croaking frogs. Take this board book on an outdoor adventure and turn it into a scavenger hunt. Search for the sights, sounds, and smells of springtime.

Rain!

By Linda Ashman, illustrated by Christian Robinson, & translated by Carlos Calvo

We simply don’t all enjoy the weather the same way. Watch how two city-dwellers respond to a rainy day in this board book. This story opens up a discussion about how the weather affects our moods and our daily lives.

There is also an English-Spanish bilingual version of this book!

Hop

By Jorey Hurley

Is there anything more inherently “springtime” than bunnies hopping through a field of flower blossoms? This book includes a handful of verbs and follows a rabbit family on a spring day. There are some frightful encounters with other animals, but all ends safely and cozy. You can also find it as a board book for the youngest readers.

Do you also think this book is adorable? Check out the frog book titled Jump.

All Around Bustletown: Spring

By Rotraut Susanne Berner

All Around Bustletown books are oversized board books filled with busy illustrations. These books are meant to be interactive. Their large size makes them perfect for multiple kids to enjoy together. The pages of this particular book are packed with the signs of spring and springtime activities. You can get lost in a world of search and find or play a book version of I Spy.

Nonfiction & Photographs

On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring

By Buffy Silverman

What a perfectly relevant book for our spring book list! Explore some of the best signs of spring, such as melting snow, waking animals, and blooming flowers. This nonfiction book includes nature photographs of a sunny, warm spring day.

This book is pricier because it is only available with library binding. Ask your local library if it is available or purchase it used online to save money.

Nesting

By Henry Cole

This springtime STEM book will inspire future birdwatchers. Nesting shares about bird habits, life cycles, families, and habitats. It is illustrated in black and white sketches (except for a robin’s egg blue!). This nature book is a must-have for a springtime bookshelf.

Bloom Boom!

By April Pulley Sayre

Bloom Boom! is filled with large photographs of blossoming fields and trees. In the book’s last pages, you’ll discover information about flowering plants. Want more flower books? Check out the flower book list. I can’t imagine creating a nature-based booklist and not including one of Sayre’s books.

Spectacular Spring: All Kinds of Spring Facts and Fun

By Bruce Goldstone

This nonfiction spring children’s book is filled with springtime photographs and trivia. Early learners can follow along with developmentally-appropriate information that introduces them to spring. My only critical opinion of the book is the product-oriented crafts at the end. I always prefer process art over crafts.

Everything Spring

By Jill Esbaum

This book’s beautiful, vibrant photographs will spark many conversations about springtime. Children will love turning through the pages of baby animals and other signs of spring. This nonfiction springtime book also shares weather and nature facts.

Toad Weather

By Sandra Markle, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

The main character feels gloomy about the rainy spring weather in this multi-generational story. Soon, an adventure begins. Even the rainy weather can’t stop the magic of a massive toad migration. This story is inspired by real life events. Children can learn about wildlife protection and finding wonder in nature. Oh, and this book features paintings so life-like they seem like photographs.

Springtime Stories

Love Is

By Diane Adams illustrated by Claire Keane

The story follows a child who saves and cares for a duckling. The two become close companions. They work through the ups and downs of growing up together.

As an empathetic animal lover, this book touches my heart. It’s the perfect balance of heart-warming and heartbreaking. But I promise there is a happy ending.

How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow

By Monica Sweeney, illustrated by Feronia Parker-Thomas

Springtime is when all the colors start returning to our earth. In this story, Sun and Cloud aren’t getting along. That means rainbows vanish. The crayons have to save the rainbow to save the day. This story has a great friendship theme, along with nature and spring concepts.

• Love rainbows? Explore more rainbow books for early learners.

If You Hold a Seed

By Elly MacKay

Some themes of springtime are growth, possibilities, and plants. An incredible metaphor ties all these together, and If You Hold a Seed captures it. The luminous collage illustrations show the great possibilities of planting a single seed.

The story is simple but powerful. The artwork takes this book above and beyond. The story perfectly pairs with our list of facts about spring trees.

Kite Flying

By Grace Lin

Kite-flying is a favorite springtime activity. This story shares about a family taking part in the tradition of kite-making. Together they shop, create, and soon fly their new kite together. Kite Flying will inspire play and imagination this spring.

Spring for Sophie

By Yael Werber, illustrated by Jen Hill

This book is lovely, but maybe a little too idyllic (think Hallmark Christmas movie). Spring for Sophie captures the feeling many people have by the end of winter. It feels like the cold and snow have lasted forever, but warmer days are far away. Sophie must learn to use her senses to detect the signs of springtime.

Music & Song

Singing in the Rain

By Tim Hopgood

Nothing says “springtime” as much as rainbows and rain showers. Singing in the Rain takes a broadway song and turns it into a springtime children’s book. The musical, rhyming lyrics introduce basic weather concepts. Use the colorful illustrations to talk about colors, dressing for the weather, and animals. 

First Notes of Spring

By Jessica Kulekjian, illustrated by Jennifer Bower

This musical springtime book inspires children to observe the outdoors in a new way. Juniper badger loves music, but she has to find her own way to use music to wake up spring. Readers will love the sounds and songs of this book. Concepts include weather, seasons, animals, and music. Some social-emotional themes include confidence, self-awareness, and friendship.

Animal Characters

Woodland Painting Party

By Nicole Yen, illustrated by Riley Samels, & paper engineering by Yevgeniya Yeretskaya

In this non-religious Easter story, the Easter bunny is painting eggs to match each animal in the forest. Woodland Painting Party includes fun, elaborate pop-ups and lift-a-flaps. The rhyming text shares a story about a bunny sharing creative, thoughtful gifts for others.

Spring Stinks

By Ryan Higgins

Okay, let’s be honest. Springtime can smell a little soggy. And Bruce the bear notices. His friend is so excited spring is here and hopes to get Bruce on the same page.

This children’s book is smaller, making it great for little hands. Readers will enjoy the humor in the illustrations and in the character’s friendship.

Spring Parade

By Camelia Kay, illustrated by Allyn Howard

This book is just precious. The story is about a fuzzy baby rabbit greeting all the signs of springtime. The swirling, delicate illustrations capture the whimsy of springtime in the forest. Readers will adore it, and it will look beautiful on a bookshelf.

Spring Is Here: A Bear and Mole Story

By Will Hillenbrand

This spring children’s book does an incredible job of using alliteration, repetition, and sensory words to keep readers engaged. The story shows the contrast between how two friends, Mole and Bear, welcome springtime. The illustrations in this book are full of color and soft lines. It’s hard not to love the roly-poly characters on sight.

I hope you found a few wonderful spring books to add to your classroom or children’s bookshelf. Want even more ideas for spring? Check out the following resources:

• Hands-On Plant Activities
• Play-Based Bee Activities
• Mini Meteorologists: Weather Books
• Nature Scavenger Hunt Ideas

I recommend BookShop.org as an alternative to amazon. Each purchase on BookShop.org supports local and independent bookstores. You can explore my book lists for early learners or search for any books (new and used).