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[For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended Picture Books for Spring | Exciting and Thrilling Reads
Three-year-olds moving up to the preschool class are about to have so many new experiences.
They must be feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as the new school year starts in April.
As teachers, we want to be there to support those feelings.
Storytime is a precious moment when teachers and children can share the same world.
Children’s comments often surprise and enlighten us, don’t they?
Here are some picture books we’d love to enjoy with a class of three-year-olds in spring.
They’re perfect for this stage, when children are gradually learning to enjoy stories.
Be sure to read lots of picture books together!
[For 3-year-olds] Recommended Picture Books for Spring | Exciting and Thrilling (1–10)
What is the sound, plop plop?Text by Toshiko Kanzawa / Illustrations by Eizo Hirayama
“Poton Poton, What’s That Sound?” is a story about a mother bear and her cubs hibernating through winter.
Every time the twin bear cubs hear a noise from outside, they ask their mother what it is.
Their mother gently explains each sound to them.
You can find the answer to each sound on the next page, so try thinking along as you read.
In the end, spring arrives and the bear family comes out of their den.
The expressions that capture the signs of spring are also wonderful.
It’s a book I highly recommend for reading at the change of seasons.
The warm, cozy sunshineYuichi Kasano
Guaranteed to make you want a nap, let me introduce “Ohisama Pokapoka.” This picture book was created by author Yuichi Kasano.
The story begins with a scene of a grandmother airing out her futons.
A cat appears and sprawls out on the futon.
Seeing that, the grandmother lies down too.
One by one, more characters show up and end up taking a nap.
Wondering what will appear next adds to the fun of this book.
14 Mice on a PicnicIwamura Kazuo
Let me introduce the picture book “14 Mice on a Picnic.” It’s a story about a big family of mice going out for a spring picnic.
On their way, they find dandelions and meet a frog.
When the frog jumps into the river, the mice want to imitate it and leap in with a splash, too.
Because mice are small, plants and animals look huge to them, so it feels like they’re on a grand adventure.
I’m sure children will feel like they’re adventuring alongside the mice.
After enjoying a picnic through the book, it might be nice to go on a real field trip next time!
dandelion catKeiko Sena
The picture book Dandelion Cat features a white cat as the main character.
When the cat finds dandelion fluff, he stuffs it into a cloth to make a fluffy quilt.
It must feel so nice.
But then the quilt starts to act up.
The fluff wants to become dandelions.
The cat gives up on the quilt and sets the fluff free.
Now it can safely become dandelions.
After reading this picture book, if you find some fluff, you’ll probably feel like gently blowing on it while thinking, “Become a dandelion.”
My dressNishimaki Kayako
Since its publication in 1969, the picture book My Dress (Watashi no One-piece) has continued to be beloved.
The bunny protagonist sews a dress from a piece of cloth she found.
It’s a magical dress: when she walks through a flower field, it turns floral; when it rains, it becomes polka-dotted—the pattern keeps changing.
For children who adore dresses, it’s like a dream outfit.
This book is often used as a motif for art and crafts, too.
After reading it, why not take a picture of the bunny with the dress portion cut out and head out into the vibrant spring world?
One day, spring had arrived.Momo Obuchi
In this picture book, Aruhi Haru ga Kite Imashita, a girl named Fuu-chan appears.
Feeling that spring has arrived, Fuu-chan sets out with her doll Mimi-chan.
When they visit the garden and the pond, they find signs of spring everywhere.
The creatures and plants that live there all seem to be rejoicing in the arrival of spring just like Fuu-chan.
Seeing Fuu-chan savor spring with her eyes, ears, and skin will make you want to feel it the same way.
When spring comes, be sure to make the rounds of the places you always go—you’re sure to notice something different from winter.
What is spring like?Text: Asano Masumi / Illustrations: Ryoji Arai
In the picture book “What Is Spring Like?”, the protagonists aren’t the girl—but the buttons on the cardigan she wears.
The buttons are five siblings who work hard to protect the girl from the winter cold.
From the girl’s words, the siblings begin to wonder, “What is spring like?” Because the cardigan gets put away when spring comes, the siblings don’t know what spring is.
This picture book portrays the spring these siblings feel for the first time.
After you finish reading, why not ask your children, “What is spring like?” Each child will have their own idea of spring—and it’s sure to be fascinating.