I See Winter/I See Summer by Charles Chigna

These are ADORABLE!!! I LOVE the illustrations - so darn cute! AND the endpages! Wow! If you are looking for a basic book about season, here it is! Told in rhyme, each fully illustrated page lists one more "aspect" about that season.

"I see sunshine when I wake. I see families at the lake.
I see sailboats passing by. I see seagulls in the sky."

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

A is for Autumn by Robert Maass

I have said before (I think) that I really love ABC books! I saw this books, from afar, at a conference I was at Thursday and Friday. The photographs in this book are pretty amazing. And for the most part, I enjoyed the choices the author made for each letter (A is for autumn and apples; L for leaves; P for pumpkins). However some of them would probably be a stretch for younger kids.

"I is for ice cream, which is delicious in any season."
"N is for neighborhood. It's where we live."

Despite this I will probably share it with my younger students as I feel ABC books reinforce that initial letter recognition so well.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

It's Snowing! by Gail Gibbons

Gail Gibbons is back!! This time she is tackling the cold, blustery, white world of WINTER! Written in her usual style, Gibbons looks at the many scientific parts of winter as well as some of the fun! Gibbons explains the water cycle which contributes to the snowfall in easy to understand terms for the youngest readers. She goes on to explain what goes into the "making" of a snowflake and where snow is most common. My favorite part was the 2 page spread where she shows area around the world that has snow, including Chile's volcano Villarica and Mount Kilimanjaro, which is within sight of the equator. A great nonfiction book for young kids. I plan to use this as intro to nonfiction for my younger grades!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

To see an interview with Gail Gibbons click HERE!

Leaves by David Ezra Stein

A bear cub is experiencing fall for the first time. When the leaves start falling, one at first then more and more. He is very confused. He tries to put them back on but that does not work. He decides to take the leaves and fill a hole with them which he later decides is a great place to spend the winter. When he wakes up he is quite happy to see new buds on the trees. A simple introduction to fall and hibernation for younger students to enjoy.


Text: 4 Buckeye leaves - simple text great for younger students
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons by IlSung Na

In this short, to the point book, the reader learns about some of the ways animals prepare as winter approaches.
"Some fly away from the cold. Some have a long, cozy sleep where they live."
Then as winter comes to an end, spring comes and again the animals prepare for a new season.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves (great for younger readers)
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson

Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms is not a new book, copyright 2009, but it was new to me. Fletcher the fox is enjoying spring when he comes upon SNOW!! It is much too late in spring for snow, isn't it? Fletcher runs off to warn his friends the birds which begins a change of events to warn other animals. As each animal is warned, a backwards lesson about hibernation unfolds. A great spring time story to share with children of varying ages.

And no worries, it was NOT snow Fletcher saw!

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves