Is It Spring? by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books, 32 pages, ages 3-6). The titular question is answered in the affirmative by the flowers, buds, and birds. The wind, sleepy animals, and gray clouds have a more ambiguous “not yet” reply, while the response is a definite no from the late snow. “Will it ever be spring?” we wonder after such a storm, and the sun says, “Yes, yes, yes!” as animals awaken, snow melts, and flowers bloom.

This is a great book for preschoolers curious about the changing seasons and does a good job of capturing the feelings we in the north feel as a 75-degree sunny day gives way to a 32-degree one with snow squalls (to give an example from a recent week in New England). This did kind of make me question if we need another Kevin Henkes book about spring and hope that he is putting his considerable talents into some different projects.

Goldfinches by Mary Oliver, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Viking Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, grades K-5). This Mary Oliver poem celebrates goldfinches and thistle, and how the birds use the thistle down every year to line their nests before laying their eggs. The book itself is also an ode to being in nature and careful observations, with the collage illustrations portraying a woman–maybe Mary Oliver or Melissa Sweet–hiking through meadows and woods with a notebook and pencil in her hand. The birds are also shown, flying and nesting, and facts about the finches and the thistle are worked into the illustrations. Includes a one-page version of the poem, a list of birds handwritten by Mary Oliver, and a lengthy note from Melissa Sweet with additional information about Oliver and how this poem inspired Sweet to create this book.

I’m a little burned out on Mary Oliver quotes, so I almost gave this book a pass, but then I saw it was illustrated by Melissa Sweet. I’m glad I reconsidered, because it’s a real work of art and would make an excellent introduction to poetry (National Poetry Month will be here before you know it!). Take your time with it to savor both the words and the pictures. It might get you or other readers outside to be inspired by nature.