I absolutely love read alouds and try to use them as often as I can in the classroom. If you’re anything like me, the end of winter and arrival of spring is something to celebrate. I’m sure your students feel the same way too. Here are ten of my favorite picture books for spring to use in your classroom.
1.One Earth by Eileen Spinelli
Eileen Spinelli’s “One Earth”, is a great read aloud to use when celebrating Earth Day in your classroom. In the first half of the book, students are given ten reminders of a few special joys the Earth gives us. In the second half, students will get ten examples of ways they are able to care for Earth by doing things like donating old towels or recycling bottles. This book is an easy read aloud with it’s rhyming words and makes for a great discussion piece or creative writing activity, “How can you care for Earth?”.
Add Earth Day Color By Number
2. What does it mean to be green? by Rand DiOrio
In the book by Rand DiOrio, your students will have several practical ways they can help their environment and conserve the Earth’s resources. I love how this book simplifies caring for our planet, making it easy for younger students to understand. There are also a few interesting facts included towards the end of this book that your students will find interesting. This is a great read aloud to share around Earth Day.
3.recycle by gail gibbons
Recycle, by Gail Gibbons, is a nonfiction book filled with loads of information all about what happens to trash that gets thrown away. You’ll appreciate the colorful illustrations and diagrams included in this book. What I love about it is that it’s packed with useful facts, but still suitable for a whole group read aloud!
4.The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry
In The Great Kapok Tree, by Lynne Cherry, a man tirelessly tries to cut down a large kapok tree inside of the rainforest. As he sleeps, members of the rainforest, come to him and share the importance of this special tree and what will happen if he chooses to cut it down. This book is another great option to share with you students around Earth Day!
5.The thing about spring By DAniel Kirk
The Thing About Spring, by Daniel Kirk, is about a rabbit who can’t stand to see winter coming to an end. Throughout the story, Rabbit’s friends try and convince him of all of the reasons spring should be celebrated, not avoided. Eventually, he realizes spring isn’t so bad after all.
This book provides a great opportunity to practice summarization with students. I love using S.W.B.S.T. (Somebody, Wanted, Buy, So, Then) to help students summarize fiction texts. You can grab this free summarizing organizer HERE and use it with any story!
6.Down Comes the ran by Franklyn Branley
Down Comes the Rain, by Franklyn Branley, will takes students through the different stages of the water cycle in a very engaging way. Included within the book are detailed illustrations that bring the facts about the water cycle to life. This is a great book for students to collect facts from and excellent to intertwine science and reading.
7.When Spring Comes By Kevin Henkes
When Spring Comes, by Kevin Henkes, is a book about the transformation from winter to spring. Both the words and illustrations do an excellent job comparing and contrasting the change in seasons. “Before Spring comes the trees look like black sticks against the sky. But if you wait, Spring will bring leaves and blossoms.”
8.Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring By Kenard Pak
In Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring, a boy takes his dog for a walk through nature as the seasons are beginning to change. First, the boy greets all of the signs of winter, “Hello, frozen pond. Hello, sleeping fish.” Soon, however, winter is over and spring arrives. “Hello, budding flowers. Hello, bright blue pond.” You’ll love sharing this spring read aloud with students as a way to say “Hello spring” in your classroom.
9. And Then It’s spring by Julie Fogliano
And Then It’s Spring, by Julie Fogliano, is about a boy and his dog who have had enough of winter and the shades of brown all over. The boy decides to take matters into his own hands and plants a garden. After planting the seeds, they must wait….until one day the shades of brown begin to change into shades of green.
10.Miss Rumphus by Barbara Cooney
Miss Rumphus, by Barbara Cooney, is a wonderful book to share with your students as spring approaches. The main character, Alice, who later becomes Miss. Rumphius, is determined to make the world a better and more beautiful place. In order to do this, Miss Rumphius decides to plant lupines all over. No matter how big or small the task, this book. encourages students that anyone can change the world for the better.
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