18 Best Spring Books Read Alouds

Why is it important for kids to learn about spring?

In spring, children explore budding plants and the birth of cute animals. And after a long winter, spring is also a great time to get back outside. Take a walk in nature and observe the new life emerging around us that you read about in these books. Maybe even set up a bird feeder and observe the birds in your backyard!

Also, the change of season is a good time to talk about what to wear for different types of weather – rainy, warm, cold, temperate… My kids love to change clothes for different weather. In fact, some of the spring reads on this list deal with what to wear for different types of weather.

Of course, the best way to learn about spring is to observe. One year, I gave the kids digital cameras and told them to take pictures of the signs of spring. That makes learning active and engages them for hours. You can take this spring scavenger hunt, a clipboard, and some pencils and go exploring anytime, anywhere.
Consider a spring induction bin with one of these fun ideas!

Exercise your numbers and creativity when you download these Color by Number Spring pages! Now let’s enjoy spring reading together!

Spring Read Alouds for kids

Picture Books About Spring

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak
Sensual text and gorgeous illustrations show a boy and his dog first standing in the darkness of a snowy winter day, then taking a walk in nature, paying attention to small signs of spring like chirping birds and melting streams. Use this book to teach comparing and contrasting.

Baby Loves Spring by Karen Katz
Open the lid to discover the best parts of spring: baby robins, butterflies, worms, frogs in puddles, and many other signs of spring!

A Spring Stroll in the City by Cathy Goldberg Fishman, illustrated by Melanie Hall
Observe and count from one to ten the things you will see during spring – straw hats, eggs in bowls, matzo boxes, etc. Sweet pastel illustrations showcase a multicultural setting with diverse characters. I really love these colorful, springtime illustrations read aloud!

Let It Rain by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
With just a few words on each page, this cheerful book captures the spirit of spring – planting a garden, listening to the birds, going on a picnic, and more. A perfect choice for preschool readers.

One Springy, Singy Day by Renee Kurilla
“Tense yawning at dawn.” It’s a lively, action-packed day that sees a diverse group of children playing, reading, eating, and imagining until the end of the day is “soap bubbles in the bathtub.” What a charming spring read aloud.

Snowman – Cold = Puddle: Spring Equations by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Micha Archer
See spring in a whole new way! This book of writing “equations” will inspire readers to see the unique possibilities of writing like this. I recommend using this spring read-aloud book as a writing prompt to integrate STEM with literacy.

Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Buket Erdogan
It was a spring day. Mouse and mother went out to play. They’ll notice clues about the signs of spring: something shiny and sparkly (a butterfly), something feathery and plump (a bird), a butterfly, and so on. A lovely spring read-aloud for toddlers.

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully
Children will never forget this old saying when they see March, a lion roaring at the door, trampling mud on the floor. The lion made a mess of everything – until the breeze blew and new trees sprouted, causing the lion to sneeze….and fall asleep.

First Notes of Spring by Jessica Kulekjian, illustrated by Jennifer Bower
Mr. Moose does not like the percussive sounds of Juniper the badger or the booming, ringing, buzzing, and howling sounds of other animals. Even so, Juniper discovered other animals also make music – the soft tapping of woodpeckers, the clapping of beavers, and the thumping of rabbits. Together, they welcome spring with an extremely lively musical celebration, surprising and delighting Mr. Moose, who also joins them.

Everything Spring by Jill Esbaum (National Geographic Kids)
Who doesn’t love the impressive photos in National Geographic publications? This spring read-aloud picture book is no exception. Lyrical poetry shares about spring animals such as chicks, rabbits, ducklings, and other newborn animals.

Until Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes
“If you wait,” great things will happen in the spring. “A seed sprouts”. . . and “there will be buds, bees, boots, and bubbles.” If we wait. Vivid illustrations and lyrical text showcase spring scenes such as leaves and flowers, as well as sounds and other surprises. This is the perfect spring read-aloud!

When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons by Julie Fogliano, illustrations by Julie Morstad
Although this sweet spring reads aloud a collection of poems spanning the four seasons, the spring poems alone are worth reading. I admire the way Fogliano captures the joy and whimsy of spring by using dates as the title of each poem. I especially LOVE the way the poet captures the essence of a child’s natural wonder.

Picture Book About Spring Baby Animals

Cheep! Cheep! with Big Flaps to Lift! by Sebastian Braun
Welcome spring with pets. Lift the sturdy lid to find out who’s hiding! You will see ducklings, a donkey, a kitten, a chick, and a baby goat. Great for ages 1 – 3 to learn about animals and their babies.

Spring in the Forest by Rusty Finch
It’s spring! Follow a mother deer and her fawn through the forest. Open the lid when they meet friends and notice all the singing birds, blooming flowers, rain puddles, and rainbows in the sky. So sweet!

Spring is Here (Bear and Mole Stories) by Will Hillenbrand
The Mole knows spring is in the air. He does everything he can to wake his Bear friend from hibernation like knocking on the door, blowing the trumpet, and tickling. Finally, Mole cooks Bear a hearty breakfast. It works! Bear wakes up to announce spring has come but only finds his friend Mole sleeping soundly. A wonderful story about friendship with a spring theme.

Spring Read Alouds: All About Plants

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
The illustrations perfectly capture this story of patience and transformation. A boy and his dog look at the dreary landscape and hope to plant a seed. The pair slowly watched and waited as the brown turned from brown to brown with a green hum “you can only hear if you put your ears to the ground and close your eyes.” And finally, it’s green! Reading this gives you a zen-like feeling of happiness.

Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson
From the same authors as Touch the Magic Tree and Touch the Brightest Star, in this spring read-aloud, kids will use their imaginations to read and touch, rub, press, shake, and clap to help plant a garden. All seeds need is water, rain, and sunshine to grow and you can help.

Busy Spring Nature Wakes Up by Sean Taylor and Alex Morss, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu
A sister and brother join their father in the garden, where they notice signs of spring –– birds building nests, bees flying by, tadpoles swimming, and as they do, the children pretend to play and sing like birds and frogs. The next six pages are about spring, including animals and growing creatures, ending with ideas for how you can help birds and other growing creatures.

Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Sally Garland
Little Mole felt sad. His mother suggested that he needed hope. She shows him where hope is hiding in a seemingly dead bulb that she says will soon become a beautiful daffodil. She showed him the bare tree and asked him to visualize the little green buds about to appear. As they continue to observe the world and imagine hopeful possibilities, we will see what is coming soon—spring!