Welcoming Spring with Little One

Little One
by Jo Weaver
32 pages; ages 3 - 7
Peachtree Publishers, 2016 

theme: togetherness; nature

Big Bear stepped out of her winter den. By her side, half asleep and blinking in the spring sunshine, wobbled a tiny cub.

So begins little cub's journey of discovery - and there is SO MUCH to learn! How to be friends. What to eat in the woods.The best swimming holes. With Big Bear's help, the cub grows in confidence until it's time to head home.

What I like about this book: It is grounded in nature and seasonal change. I like the black-and-white illustrations ~ the contrast of soft charcoal on textured paper. They leave room for the imagination to add color and sound. And I like the aesthetics of the 11-inch square that, once opened, provide lots of room for expansive spreads.

Beyond the book: This book opens with spring, a season that has been pushing its way north somewhat earlier and earlier each year.

Look for signs of spring around your neighborhood. Imagine you are Little One as you head outside. What do you notice? What does the air feel like, and smell like? What do you hear? Spend a few minutes and write down what spring is like.

Explore. Little One explores "far and wide". Winnie-the-Pooh went on a "grand expotition" to find the North Pole. Tuck some provisions in your pocket and go exploring. It might be your back yard or the school playground or a park.

Make a Map. This is a great way to share your exploration with other people. Think about the information you might want to include on your map: the landscape, route of exploration, location of woods or swimming holes, notes about where you saw birds and animals... 

Today's review is part of the STEM Friday roundup. Drop by STEM Friday blog for more science books and resources. We're also joining PPBF (perfect picture book Friday), an event in which bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.  Review copy from publisher.