[For 4-Year-Olds] Recommended Spring Picture Books | Engaging with the World and Friends
Children in the 4-year-old class grapple with many things every day—what’s happening around them, their friends, and their own feelings.
Because this is a time of fluctuation, let’s show them new worlds through picture books.
This time, we’ve gathered picture books perfect for reading with four-year-olds in spring.
In addition to works with spring-like motifs, we’re also introducing books that help children reflect on and reconsider their relationships with others and with themselves.
Let’s let them fully savor the world of picture books with their flexible minds and hearts.
It’s okay if feelings of meanness or the urge to quarrel begin to sprout.
Please stay by their side together with picture books.
- [March] Recommended for 4-year-olds! Picture books that will make you smile and grin
- [For 5-year-olds] Picture Books to Read in Spring | Let’s Explore Different Worlds with Children
- March: Picture Books Recommended for Enjoying with 5-Year-Olds
- [For 0-Year-Olds] Picture Books to Read in Spring | Enjoy Picture Books with Your Children
- [For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter
- [For 2-year-olds] Enjoy spring-recommended picture books with your children
- [For 4-year-olds] A collection of April craft ideas that capture spring, such as Easter and cherry blossoms
- [For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended Picture Books for Spring | Exciting and Thrilling Reads
- [For 4-Year-Olds] Feel the Spring Up Close! Fun and Easy Craft Ideas You’ll Love
- A selection of recommended picture books for 4-year-olds to enjoy in autumn and feel the wonders of nature
- [For 1-year-olds] Picture Books to Enjoy in Spring | Wildflowers and Creatures
- [February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let children feel winter at preschool
- Picture Books to Read with 4-Year-Olds in Winter: Heartwarming Recommended Stories
[For 4-Year-Olds] Recommended Picture Books for Spring | Engaging with the World and Friends (1–10)
Gurunpa’s KindergartenText: Minami Nishiuchi / Illustrations: Seiichi Horiuchi
The picture book “Gurunpa’s Kindergarten” tells the story of Gurunpa, a big elephant who is different from everyone else, as he finds his place in the world through various experiences.
Although Gurunpa lacks confidence, he sets out to look for work with the encouragement of the other elephants.
Things don’t go well at first.
Even so, he doesn’t give up and keeps moving forward.
Children will surely see themselves in his perseverance and feel like cheering him on.
And their eyes will surely sparkle at the appealing things Gurunpa creates by making the most of his own unique qualities!
The Secret of the Camphor Tree ApartmentEtsuko Takega
The picture book “The Secret of the Kusunoki Apartments” features a variety of animals.
The animal children go around showing off their treasured acorns, and it’s adorable how they enjoy keeping them secret when others ask to see them.
Then Mr.
Mole shares the Kusunoki Apartments’ secret with the children: the chrysalis of a butterfly shown on the cover.
In fact, there’s a chrysalis on the book’s cover, too.
On the back cover, you’ll find the butterfly all grown up.
Along with the story, be sure to have fun playing a chrysalis-spotting game!
「和」の行事えほん<1>Noriko Takano
This is a picture book, but you could also call it an illustrated reference.
That’s how densely packed it is.
“The Picture Book of Japanese (‘Wa’) Customs and Events” also has autumn and winter editions, but the one I’m introducing here is the spring and summer version.
It not only explains spring events like cherry-blossom viewing and the Doll Festival, but also describes the tools and items used for these events.
Rather than being read aloud, it might be better for children to look through it themselves and enjoy discovering what’s inside.
If you want to learn about springtime traditions, this is a recommended book.
[For 4-year-olds] Recommended Picture Books for Spring | Engaging with the World and Friends (11–20)
Grandpa Pan’s BreadTakako Kawakami
“Grandpa Bread’s Breads” is a story about Grandpa Bread, who loves bread and bakes all kinds of breads to answer everyone’s requests.
For the frog, he makes bread that makes sounds; for the snail, a refreshing dewdrop bread.
Just the names make you curious about what they’re like, but you should really see them in the picture book.
They’re colorful, mysterious, and look absolutely delicious.
The creatures share their impressions of the breads, so children can easily imagine the flavors and textures.
With many springtime creatures like butterflies, frogs, and snails making appearances, it’s a perfect book for spring.
The Smooth-Sailing Carp Streamers of the Yokai VillageTakai Yoshikazu
Let me introduce a picture book that’s perfect for Children’s Day: “Yokai Village’s Smooth-Swimming Koinobori.” In the story, there’s an event called the “Energetic Koinobori Contest.” Each carp streamer made by the yokai flies toward the Dragon God, and if it reaches its destination, it becomes a “Lucky Koinobori.” Which carp streamer makes it is something to look forward to when you read—it’s revealed by solving a maze in the book.
The story features lots of yokai that kids love, such as Ittan-momen, Oni, Kappa, and Hitotsume-kozō, so please enjoy those, too!
Spring has come.Text by Jean Zion / Illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham
The title is “Spring Has Come,” but this picture book is set in a town where spring never arrives.
The adults long for spring’s arrival.
Yet the town remains gray.
Then a certain boy says, “Let’s make spring ourselves!” Spurred by his words, both adults and children work together to bring spring into the town.
Of course, it doesn’t become spring for real.
They brighten the place by drawing flowers and birds all over the town.
The idea of turning it into spring on their own—children’s way of thinking is so wonderful, isn’t it?
Nice to meet you, friend.Text by Rintaro Uchida / Illustrations by Nana Furiya
The “We’re Friends!” series charms readers with the interactions between a wolf and a fox.
“Nice to Meet You, Friend” is the 11th book in the series.
The wolf and the fox are playing happily, and nearby a young tanuki is watching them.
The little tanuki actually wants to join in, but he’s scared of the wolf and can’t bring himself to approach.
The wolf realizes this and is shocked.
Children may empathize with the tanuki—wanting to join but not being able to.
Spring is the season for making new friends, and this book offers a chance to think about how to welcome new members into a group.