If you're still in the market for Easter tales or springtime books for youngsters, these bunny, duckling and garden stories will refresh and invigorate.

"Lucky Ducklings" by Eva Moore; pictures by Nancy Carpenter; Orchard Books/Scholastic; 32 pages; $16.99.

In this endearing, seeming salute to Robert McCloskey's "Make Way for Ducklings," a mama duck and her five ducklings are happily out for a walk one day when, one-by-one, they fall into a storm drain. Happily, all are rescued, thanks to three firemen and a tow-truck driver, who lift the drain off the street, capturing the ducklings in a bucket and allowing Mama Duck to cross the street safely. A true rescue story, Moore's telling captures all the retro vintage appeal of McCloskey's classic, with a darling writing approach that young children will cherish.

The names of the ducklings, Pippin, Bippin, Tippin, Dippin, "and last of all Little Joe," add personable charm to the lovely story, full of gentle danger, heroic rescue and heartwarming mother love.

"Peepsqueak Wants a Friend" by Leslie Ann Clark; HarperCollins; 32 pages; $15.99.

Little Peepsqueak is a fearless chick that finds himself on a search for a friend when all the rest of the chicks play one day in pairs. He follows big footprints down a path, and though other animals warn him that the footprints are too big, he still "hopped, skipped, jumped, and skittered down the path looking for his very, very big friend." Eventually, Peepsqueak rides back to the farm on top of his new friend, a "great big bear!!!" and yells "We are 2!" which is a reoccurring pairs theme in the vividly colored book.

With a timely message that real friends don't have to be exactly the same, Clark's sprightly story ends with a nod to the new, big buddy with, "Real friends mean room for all!"

"The Bad Easter Bunny" by Isabel Atherton; illustrated by Stephanie Rohr; Sky Pony Press; 32 pages; $12.95.

In this slightly edgy, unique Easter tale, a previously generous Easter bunny turns from pink to blue and sad when he realizes the children aren't grateful and never say thank you to him. His sadness turns to anger as he decides to become the bad Easter bunny — smashing toys, eating all the candy, and making a big mess around town. This all changes when one little girl reminds him that just because no one says thank you doesn't mean they aren't grateful. She changes his mind with her kindness, and he regains his generous, happy Easter bunny spirit, all because one small child said "thank you."

Quirky illustrations from Rohr bring to mind a warmer weather "Grinch" tale. Atherton's modern story reminds children of the importance of gratitude and being kind.

"If You Hold a Seed" by Elly MacKay; Running Press; 32 pages; $16.95.

"If you hold a seed, and make a wish, and plant it in the ground, something magical can happen" begins this timeless, precious tale of a little boy wondrously planting a seed and patiently waiting for it to spring to life across the seasons. With an ongoing theme of what can blossom when nurtured with love and patience, MacKay's gorgeous book brings to mind classics from Margaret Wise Brown, with its' simple but moving words. Just as impressive, the author/illustrator's unique sunny multi-layered pages, photographed using special paper in her "miniature theater," which truly convey the magic of each season.

"Peter Rabbit: Easter Surprise" from Frederick Warne/Penguin; 12 pages; $6.99.

This larger sized board book from the classic "The World of Peter Rabbit" books, is a "hurry up" story, with Peter Rabbit encouraging his barnyard friends to visit Duck Jemina, whose "eggs are hatching in the hay!"

Big, bold, authentic vintage Beatrix Potter illustrations jump out of the super-sturdy pages, and a 3-D tactile Peter Rabbit comes to life on the front cover.

Other new Peter Rabbit books perfect for gift giving? Emma Thompson's "The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit" (63 pages; $20) is a brand new tale about Peter Rabbit and his visits to Scotland. Funny and personable, the big book also includes an audio CD, read by the Oscar-winning author.

"Peter Rabbit 123" and "Peter Rabbit ABC" (14 pages; $6.99 each) feature foldout pages that help toddlers learn the alphabet and to count. Both are padded board books with Beatrix Potter's classic characters.

"Favorite Little Golden Books for Springtime" from Random House; $19.95.

This sealed five-book gift set includes classic Golden Books "Home for a Bunny," "Two Little Gardeners," "Where Do Giggles Come From?" "The Little Red Hen" and "Baby Farm Animals," all in their popular, vintage, springtime glory.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.