[For 4-Year-Olds] Recommended Spring Picture Books | Engaging with the World and Friends

Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

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.

[For 4-year-olds] Recommended Picture Books for Spring | Engaging with the World and Friends (11–20)

Who’s the sleepyhead?Text: Reiko Katayama / Illustrations: Azumimushi

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Let me introduce a book that’s perfect for spring.

In Who’s Still Sleepy?, a little rabbit girl named Mimi-chan takes the stage.

Mimi-chan is an early riser, and now that spring has come, she goes around trying to wake up her friends who still haven’t gotten out of bed.

But none of them are easy to wake, are they? So what will Mimi-chan do? Not only does she try to rouse them, she also leaves little bouquets of flowers, which makes you feel her kindness and the arrival of spring.

You might even see a touch of a mother or a teacher in the way Mimi-chan goes about waking everyone.

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Te arā Īmo uga ĪmoAya Watanabe

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From the hugely popular “Vegetable Life” picture book series for children, here’s an introduction to the delightfully titled “Te-ara-IMO Uga-IMO.” Handwashing and gargling are very important daily habits.

But kids might skip them because they’re eager to play or find washing a hassle.

At times like that, why not read this picture book first and then try washing and gargling? It’s packed with catchy, rhythmic phrases that kids will want to sing along to.

If everyone hums along while washing their hands, it’s sure to make the routine more fun.

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The Mouse’s Long BreadHiroshi Tada

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“Mr.

Mouse’s Long Bread” is part of a series and a very popular book among children.

On the cover, a tiny mouse is carrying a loaf of bread many times bigger than himself.

Where could he be headed with such a long loaf? Along the way, we see mealtime scenes from different animal families, prompting children to ask questions like, “What is the lion eating?” and “Who will eat the bread?” The world of the picture book keeps expanding in their minds.

It’s a story you’ll want to read over and over—be sure to give it a try.

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Fluffy SakuraText: Naoko Higashi / Illustrations: Tatsuro Kimura

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Here is an introduction to the picture book “Howa-Howa Sakura.” It beautifully expresses, in lovely words, the way cherry blossom petals flutter and fall.

Perhaps this is how the sound and sight of falling petals reach children’s ears and eyes.

The pink that spreads across the pages seems to capture the excitement for the coming spring.

It’s a wonderful book that makes you want to read it aloud—please give it a try.

And after you finish, let’s all head out to go meet the cherry blossoms!

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dandelionMaki Arai

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“Dandelion,” a picture book that carefully and lovingly depicts the dandelions we often see in March.

It shows in detail how these familiar flowers bloom and how they turn into fluffy seed heads, tracing the entire life of a dandelion with great care.

Because dandelions are so familiar, children are naturally drawn in, and after reading, they’ll want to head out and look for real ones.

Through this book, you can sow seeds of curiosity and enjoy seeing how each child nurtures those seeds in their own way.

Give it a read!

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Mr. Cabbage and Mr. ButayamaShinta Cho

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How about this picture book for March, when spring cabbage is at its tastiest? “Cabbage-kun and Mr.

Butayama” is a humor-filled picture book illustrated by Shinta Cho, and it’s hugely popular with children.

It features the funny duo of Cabbage-kun and Mr.

Butayama, who can’t help seeing Cabbage-kun as something to eat.

This time, it’s a thrilling story set on a suspension bridge deep in the mountains.

Despite the tension, the book has an irresistibly funny and heartwarming feel.

Please give it a read!

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[For 4-Year-Olds] Recommended Picture Books for Spring | Engaging with the World and Friends (21–30)

Bread ThiefKeiko Shibata

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Keiko Shibata’s picture book “The Bread Thief” is a wildly popular title not only with children but also with adults, and it’s such a unique book that it’s become a series.

The character leaves a strong impression, and its surreal humor is addicting—both kids and grown-ups can’t help but laugh out loud.

A loaf of bread hoists another bread and makes a getaway—so what on earth is this bread’s true identity…? The book is filled with delicious-looking breads that might just make you hungry! After reading, why not buy some bread and head out to the park?

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