Our Top Ten Books for Spring

We're well into February now, although it doesn't look like winter is going to budge anytime soon unfortunately. But that doesn't mean we can't find a little brightness in the books we read while we wait for the sun to come out. Here are some books we think you and your little ones might enjoy reading together.

Pop-Up Park by Ingela P. Arrhenius

Pop-Up Park may look small but it’s got some big surprises on the inside. Featuring Ingela P. Arrhenius’ signature bold shapes and bright colours, readers between ages 1 to 3 will love all the pictures that jump right out of this little book, and it will definitely get them excited about going out to play. It is a beautiful first pop-up book.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

The end of winter means that one day, hopefully soon, we’ll be able to head outdoors and have adventures again - that is, without having to put on a hundred layers first. Until then, children between 1 and 4 will love stepping into Michael Rosen's We’re Going On a Bear Hunt and joining a brave family as they squelch, splash and swish their way towards the bear’s den.

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne 

This beautiful edition of Winnie the Pooh is full of fun and adventures and it's a particularly good book for those days when you're sick of the wind and the rain.  In this first ever Winnie the Pooh book you'll enjoy many amusing adventures, like the time Pooh gets stuck in a rabbit hole, or when Piglet meets the terrifying Heffalump. While it's great for reading to little children, children around 8 and up will be able to read this book to themselves. 

Seasons by Hannah Pang and Clover Robin

This stunning lift-the-flap book celebrates the beauty of all the seasons and the amazing changes we can see in nature as the year goes by. In this book, suitable for children ages 5 and up, Clover Robin’s gorgeous illustrations show how six spectacular landscapes are transformed by the changing seasons. With interesting facts about wildlife and nature, Seasons is a truly engaging book.

Pelle’s New Suit by Elsa Beskow

Elsa Beskow’s beautiful illustrations of wild flowers and fields are a must have for spring. In this delightful story, children ages 4 and up can discover how a little boy named Pelle uses the wool from his pet lamb to make a new suit that will fit him just right!

Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love

In this glorious sequel to the hugely popular Julian is a Mermaid, you’re invited to revel in Jessica Love’s bright and joyful illustrations. Readers between the ages of 4 and 8 will join Julian and his friends as they celebrate love at a beautiful spring wedding. Confetti and flowers fly through the air in this gorgeous book, and if you order Julian at the Wedding now you’ll get a stunning free print!

The Big Book of Blooms by Yuval Zommer

Yuval Zommer’s big, bright and beautiful illustrations make The Big Book of Blooms the perfect book to read in the run up to spring. With gorgeous pictures and fun facts about flowers from all over the world, this book would be wonderful for any children between the ages of 5 and 10 who have curious minds and a love for things that grow.

Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson 

In this beautiful hardback edition, children aged 9 to 12 will enter the wonderful world of the Moomins. Comet in Moominland was actually the second ever Moomin book but is generally regarded as the first in the series. (This is because the first written, The Moomins and the Great Flood, is more of a novella and is seen as a prelude to the series as a whole.) Comet in Moominland is a great introduction to so many beloved characters as well as being a fantastic story that will get readers excited to have their own adventures.  

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum 

If you want to escape the dreary greys of late winter and add a dash of colour to your world, what could be better than a trip to Oz? Travel over the rainbow into L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and enjoy Robert Ingpen's vibrant illustrations of the Yellow Brick Road, the fields of poppies and the beautiful Emerald City. 

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

We can all feel a little sour and grumpy after the long dark days of winter (and Lockdown of course), but this beautifully illustrated edition of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic will perk you right up. In a story that celebrates the beauty of nature, you’ll grow to love Mary, Colin and Dickon. It might even inspire you to plant a secret garden of your own… as soon as the weather is nice enough.