Signs of Spring - Softcover

Ages 5-7. Some grown-ups may associate Fontes with movie tie-in books (based on such productions as Toy Story and Roger Rabbit), but she has also created a number of memorable original titles. This playful look at spring and its distracting effect centers on Lucy, a fashion-conscious mouse. Usually Lucy walks to school with chipmunk Henry and squirrel Zack. But one morning things feel different: spring is in the air. "Can't you smell it?" Lucy squeaks with delight. But her friends catch only the scent of frost and fur. Step by step, Lucy plucks signs of the season from her surroundings, waves them at her friends, and slips them into her pockets. So pleased is she with her discoveries that she forgets she's brought nothing for show-and-tell. "You brought plenty of somethings," Zack and Henry exclaim, pointing at her pockets. Children will feel the magic of friendship and spring in this good-natured story, with sweetly simple illustrations that glow with sunny colors. Kelly Halls
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reSchool-Grade 2-Off to school with her friends Henry and Zack, Lucy is enthralled by the newness of everything around her: the tender buds, the tightly curled ferns, and the blossoming flowers. As the animal youngsters arrive, the teacher is setting up for show-and-tell, and Lucy realizes that she forgot to bring anything from home. She panics when the teacher calls on her first, but Zack reminds her that her pockets are full of things she picked up on the walk to school. She shows the class her collection and the teacher is pleased. Brightly colored illustrations in springtime hues look as if they were painted with a sponge and a splash of exuberance. The ending is a bit syrupy, but overall the story is cheerful and pleasant, and will awaken young children to the signs of spring around them.
Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL
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