Springiness In The Air

Okay, yesterday, there was springiness in the air, today not so much. Such is the way of spring, but I am still ready for her, and the first of these books is with me. The second? Well, what better time to visit a farm than when all the little animals have been born? I call it springy, too.

Sorting Through Spring
Lizann Flatt
OwlKids
ISBN: 978 1 92697 359 3

This book looks at patterns, probability, and more using nature to illustrate. On each double-page spread, a short verse asks questions that lead you to look at the illustrations and find patterns. There are also extra questions in small boxes, to extend the idea and get kids more involved. It’s an interesting way to discuss the math concept involved, though it is not designed to teach, more to be a tool for looking at together and talking through as you find examples in the images and try out the ideas.

For those who are highly nature-oriented, there is some extra information about the animals at the end of the book. This book is primarily useful for extending knowledge and working with for one-on-one discussions, but for those who would like to have that kind of material, this one is notable for its gorgeous paper collage illustrations, a rarity in teaching materials. This interior spread will give you an idea:

A Day At The Farm
by Severine Cordier & Cynthia LaCroix
OwlKids
ISBN: 978 1 92697 376 0

This cute little book is less narrative and more about some vocabulary and a few sentences about what the children are enjoying on their visit. It’s a great vocab builder for toddlers and preschoolers new to farm life, and sized well for small, clumsy hands, complete with thicker, less-fragile pages. The illustrations here are perfectly pitched – cute and friendly for toddlers, but not syrupy and twee. This one is a lovely gift for a young kid!

This one comes out April 15th, but it’s ready for preorder!