Springtime Tales to Take the Chill Off by Lee Littlewood on Creators.com

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Springtime Tales to Take the Chill Off

The coming of springtime means bunnies, chicks and Easter eggs for many young children. These lovely new picture books will help melt any remaining snow to reveal a brighter season.

"Lawn to Lawn" by Dan Yaccarino; Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers; 34 pages; $17.99.

Yaccarino's signature rounded, retro drawings have illustrated over 30 children's books and even a few TV series, "Willa's Wild Life" and "Oswald." His latest quirky toys-coming-to-life tale stars a bevy of lawn ornaments that take a cross-country journey when their owner Pearl and her family move away. The pink flamingo, deer statue, jockey and lawn gnome face menacing trash trucks and gargoyles on their quest to find Pearl's new home. And funny other statues (Paul Bunyan, a chicken atop a restaurant) point them along the way.

This travel-adventure and friendship story reminds kids that home is where the heart is and that no journey is too difficult to find the one you love. It's also appealingly filled with lots of springtime scenes and vivid endpapers covered with lawn ornaments and statues of every ilk.

"Peek-a-Bloom!" by Marie Torres Cimarusti; illustrated by Stephanie Peterson; Dutton/Penguin; 12 pages; $11.99.

With lots of flaps to lift, this big, sturdy peek-a-boo tale introduces preschoolers to bunnies, robins, flowers and butterflies as they answer rhyming riddles. Bright watercolors paint a zesty farm-like outdoors with plenty of happy creatures coming out to play. The story even includes a playful scene of children flying kites.

The perfect hands-on springtime read for tots, "Peek-a-Bloom!" is downright fun.

"The Easter Egg" by Jan Brett; Putnam/Penguin; 32 pages; $17.99.

Jan Brett's nature-inspired tales are always favored by teachers, parents and children.

Her latest animal fantasy sends young rabbit Hoppi off to inspect decorated Easter eggs to get inspiration for his own creation. If he wins the decorating contest, he could possibly help the Easter Rabbit on Easter morning. But when Hoppi sets off to the woods to think about how to compete, his best laid plans take an unexpected turn.

Brett's lovable bunny hero sits with a robin's egg after it falls out of its mother's nest, keeping it warm until it hatches. His kind selflessness and sweet spirit shine through in this lovely and gorgeous tale. Kids will be satisfied that Hoppi also gets his well-deserved praise from the Easter Rabbit, and in the end, he is the one chosen to hide the eggs for girls and boys on Easter morning.

"Wings" by Salina Yoon; Simon and Schuster; 10 pages; $8.99.

Flying things with wings are certainly a sign spring has hatched. This board book begins with a friendly ladybug with wings that open when tots push a button. They'll also touch bumblebees' sparkly silvery wings, fluffy orange duckling wings, a hummingbird's glistening green wings and a butterfly's shimmery pink wings.

A wonderful sturdy book for the youngest of children, Little Simon's "Wings" should be a favorite any time of year.

"Easter Babies: A Springtime Counting Book" by Joy N. Hulme; illustrated by Dan Andreasen; Sterling Publishing; 24 pages; $12.95.

A gentle counting book perfect for springtime induction, "Easter Babies" urges tots to look for adorable baby animals around a small country farm. From five nestlings with wide-open bills to six peeping chicks to seven frolicking lambs and up to 10 paddling ducks, cozy, awakening little creatures are all over this cute tale.

Andreasen's lush yet homey illustrations set the sweet tone perfectly, making this springtime counting book a great reminder of the joy the season brings.

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.