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[For 5-year-olds] Picture Books to Read in Spring | Let’s Explore Different Worlds with Children
Speaking of five-year-olds, they’re the ones everyone relies on as the oldest in the class.
The children themselves seem brimming with confidence.
This is also the time when their world expands even further.
Not only indoor and outdoor play, but we also want them to have plenty of experiences imagining and daydreaming.
Here are picture books perfect for five-year-olds to read in spring.
The rich, layered world of picture books plants many kinds of seeds in children’s hearts.
What will the children feel?
Be sure to enjoy their reactions too.
[For 5-year-olds] Picture books to read in spring | Let’s explore different worlds with children (1–10)
Spring and autumnText: Rin Saitō / Ukimaru; Illustrations: Hisanori Yoshida
Let me introduce Haru to Aki, a story that will move you with its bittersweet relationship.
This picture book features a story by Michi Saito and Ukimaru, with illustrations by Hisanori Yoshida.
Each of the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—is personified.
One day, “Spring” becomes curious about “Autumn,” whom it has never met.
This sets off an exchange of letters.
Their mutual attraction, paired with the fact that they can never meet, is both sad and beautiful.
Pay attention to how the story concludes.
Torata’s applenekaban
I’d like to introduce a picture book that lets you empathize with the protagonist and feel excited: Torata’s Apple.
The book is by nekaban, known as a painter and picture book author.
The story follows a boy named Torata who wanders into a mysterious garden and discovers apples he’s never seen before.
You’ll encounter striped apples, long and slender apples, and more.
It makes you wonder, “What kind of apple will appear next?” Another charm of the book is that it nurtures interest in apples and food through the story.
The Path Where Jicchorin WalksKato Aju
Let me introduce Aju Kato’s debut work, “Jicchorin no Aruku Michi” (The Path Jicchorin Walks).
The protagonist is a tiny creature called “Jicchorin.” Jicchorin eats grasses and leaves, but they don’t eat seeds—they save them.
The story depicts how they sow those seeds wherever they go.
After finishing this picture book, you might find yourself looking at plants and thinking warmly, “Maybe Jicchorin planted these.” It’s actually a series, so if you’re interested, be sure to check out the sequels as well.
Spring has come.Text by Jean Zion / Illustrations by Margaret Bloy Graham
Jean Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham, who have created many masterpieces, are a duo you shouldn’t miss—and their book “Spring Is Here” is no exception.
The story is set in a wintry town.
While people lament that spring won’t come, one boy decides, “I’ll make spring myself.” Try reading and guessing how the boy brings spring to the town.
It’s also recommended for anyone looking for an encouraging picture book.
It teaches the importance of not giving up.
What I see when I close my eyesText by Mac Barnett / Illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault
A unique story unfolds in “Me o Tojite Mieru no wa.” This picture book features a story by Mac Barnett, illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault, and a Japanese translation by Mayumi Matsukawa.
In the book, a girl tucked into bed asks her father a series of questions.
Her questions—like “Why is the ocean blue?” and “Why do we have to sleep at night?”—are ones that might stump even adults.
Her father answers each one with lots of humor.
Sky-Colored SeedText: Rieko Nakagawa / Illustrations: Yuriko Omura
A long-selling picture book published in 1967, The Sky-Blue Seed.
The story is by Rieko Nakagawa, with illustrations by Yuriko Omura.
It follows a boy who receives a “sky-blue seed” from a fox.
When he waters it, the seed grows and turns into a big house.
But then the fox tries to take the house for himself, and the plot unfolds from there.
You won’t be able to look away until the very end.
Incidentally, this work is also known for having been adapted into an animated short by Studio Ghibli.
I want a big tree.Text: Satoru Sato / Illustrations: Tsutomu Murayama
Ever since its release in 1971, “I Want a Big Tree” has been loved by many.
This work features a story by Satoru Sato and illustrations by Tsutomu Murayama.
The story follows the protagonist, Kaoru, who tells his mother, “If I had a big tree, it would be like this,” and shares his daydreams.
Although most of the narrative is Kaoru’s imagination, its fantastical ideas draw you in.
The charming yet realistic illustrations are also a highlight.