Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate the arrival of this beautiful season than by reading some great books to your first graders? In this blog post, I'll be sharing some of my favorite spring read alouds for first grade. These picture books are perfect for introducing your young readers to the changing seasons and the signs of spring.
1. And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano
This beautiful book tells the story of a young boy who patiently waits for the arrival of spring. With gorgeous illustrations and a great story, this book is a great way to introduce your first graders to the changing seasons.
2. The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
This beautifully illustrated story follows the journey of a tiny seed as it travels through the air and eventually grows into a beautiful flower. The language is simple and easy to understand, making it a great choice for young readers who are just starting to learn about the plant life cycle. The illustrations are also a treat for the eyes, with Eric Carle's signature style bringing the story to life in a colorful and engaging way. This book is one of my favorite spring read alouds for first grade.
3. Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert is a fantastic book to read aloud to first-graders in the springtime. This colorful and engaging story follows the process of planting and growing a garden, from preparing the soil to harvesting the flowers. The illustrations are bright and bold, with a collage-style that captures the beauty and diversity of different types of flowers.
4. Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
This beautifully illustrated story follows the life of a woman named Alice Rumphius who is determined to make the world a more beautiful place. The language is lyrical and engaging, with a message that encourages young readers to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world. The illustrations are also a treat for the eyes, with Barbara Cooney's signature style capturing the beauty of the natural world in a colorful and inspiring way.
5. When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes
This gorgeous book explores the arrival of spring through the eyes of a young girl. With beautiful illustrations and a cute story, your students will love this book.
6. The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a little boy named Liam who discovers a neglected garden in his city and decides to take care of it. With hard work and determination, Liam transforms the garden into a lush, thriving space that spreads and grows throughout the city. This book is a great way to introduce young readers to the concepts of plant growth and environmental stewardship, and it's a perfect read-aloud for the spring season.
7. Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn
This is a heartwarming book that celebrates the joys of gardening and spending time outside in the springtime. This beautifully illustrated story follows the adventures of Lola, a young girl who dreams of growing her own garden. The language is simple and easy to understand and the illustrations are also a delight, with vivid colors and detailed depictions of plants and flowers that capture the beauty of nature. The book also teaches important lessons about the value of hard work, patience, and determination, as Lola learns to care for her garden and watch it grow.
8. Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
This book follows a young bunny as he searches for a place to call home and the friends he makes along the way. The story is filled with lovely illustrations that depict the beauty of the changing seasons and the arrival of spring. “Home for a Bunny” also teaches young children about the life cycles of different animals and the importance of finding a safe and comfortable place to live.
9. The Happy Day by Ruth Krauss
This book depicts the awakening of nature as animals and flowers come out of hibernation and bloom. A group of forest animals come together to celebrate the arrival of spring with a joyous dance, highlighting the happiness and excitement that springtime brings. The lovely illustrations and figurative language used in the book make it a great mentor text for teaching young children about the changing seasons and the signs of spring. “The Happy Day” is a great read-aloud for first graders to welcome the warmer weather and the new beginnings that come with the spring season.
10. Springtime in Bugland! by David A. Carter
This cute book explores the arrival of spring through the eyes of different insects. With fun illustrations this book is a perfect addition to your classroom library.
11. Easter Bugs by David Carter
A fun and interactive pop-up book that is perfect for springtime reading. In this book, readers follow a group of bugs as they prepare for the Easter holiday. Each page features brightly colored illustrations of the bugs in various Easter-themed scenes, such as dyeing eggs and making Easter baskets.
12. Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur
This book takes readers through the letters of the alphabet, each representing a different aspect of the season. The poems that accompany each letter are acrostics, meaning the first letter of each line spells out the letter of the alphabet. This book is a great way to introduce young readers to new vocabulary and figurative language, while also celebrating the arrival of spring. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and capture the essence of the season perfectly.
13. Worm Weather by Jean Taft
Have you ever gone outside after a spring rain and seen all the worms? This is a cute store about a couple of kids who go outside to play in the rain. Your students will laugh at seeing that the worms are enjoying the rain as much as the kids!
14. Spring Stinks by Ryan T. Higgins
“Spring Stinks” by Ryan T. Higgins is a delightful and humorous book that explores the not-so-pleasant side of spring, with muddy puddles, pollen, and skunks. The story follows Bruce the bear as he tries to avoid the unpleasantness of spring, only to realize that there's a lot to love about the season. The humor and relatable themes make it a book that kids will want to read over and over again.
15. Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak
This is a beautifully illustrated book that follows a young girl and her dog as they witness the transition from winter to spring. The book takes readers on a journey through a winter landscape, showing how nature changes and transforms as the snow begins to melt and springtime emerges. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging, making it easy for first-grade students to follow along and stay engaged. The story also touches on themes of growth and change, encouraging young readers to embrace the beauty of the changing seasons. Overall, this is a great book for first-grade students who are curious about the natural world and want to learn more about the magic of springtime.
16. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick by Lucille Colandro
This is a hilarious spin on the classic nursery rhyme “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly”. In this book, readers follow along as the old lady swallows a series of increasingly ridiculous items in an attempt to catch a little chick.
17. Finding Spring by Carin Berger
This book follows a young bear as he wakes up from hibernation and searches for spring. With beautiful illustrations and a cute story, your students will love this book.
18. When the Earth Wakes by Ani Rucki
“When the Earth Wakes” by Ani Rucki is a beautifully illustrated book that explores the changes that occur in nature during the spring season. Through the eyes of various animals, the book shows the transformation of the world around them as the earth awakens from its winter slumber. First grade students will enjoy the vivid and detailed illustrations, as well as the simple and engaging text that celebrates the wonder and beauty of spring.
19. The Easter Bunny's Assistant by Jan Thomas
In this hilarious book, the Easter Bunny is trying to prepare for Easter. The bunny's assistant, Skunk, is eager to help, but he keeps making mistakes that create hilarious chaos. First graders will love the silly humor and colorful illustrations in this book, and they'll enjoy guessing what Skunk's next mistake will be.
20. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
In this classic book, a family of ducks make their way through the city. With beautiful illustrations and a great story, this book is perfect for teaching about life cycles and the arrival of spring.
21. Soaked by Abi Cushman
This is a delightful picture book that captures the joy of playing in the rain, making it a great read-aloud choice for first graders during the spring season. In this book, readers follow a young bear who is determined to have fun despite the rainy weather. From jumping in puddles to floating paper boats, the bear finds all sorts of creative ways to enjoy the wet weather. The book's adorable illustrations and playful text make it a perfect introduction to the changing weather patterns of spring and a great way to inspire young readers to embrace the joys of nature, no matter the forecast.
22. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a classic picture book that is perfect for reading aloud to first graders in spring. In this beloved tale, readers follow a little caterpillar as he eats his way through a variety of foods before finally transforming into a beautiful butterfly. The book's colorful illustrations and engaging storyline make it a great way to introduce young readers to the life cycle of butterflies. It's also a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of spring and all the new life and growth that comes with it.
23. The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie dePaola
The Legend of the Bluebonnet” by Tomie dePaola is a beautiful picture book that tells the story of the Texas state flower and its origin. This book is a great choice for reading aloud to first graders during the spring season, especially those who live in or are learning about the state of Texas.
The book's gorgeous illustrations and captivating storyline follow a young girl who sacrifices her most prized possession to save her people from drought. The book's themes of sacrifice, community, and the power of nature make it a wonderful choice for discussing different cultures and traditions, as well as the importance of conservation and environmentalism.
24. Miss Maple's Seeds by Eliza Wheeler
This charming book follows Miss Maple, a tiny sprite who collects and cares for lost seeds, as she helps them find their perfect homes. The book's whimsical illustrations and heartwarming storyline make it a great way to introduce young readers to the concept of seed dispersal and plant growth, while also emphasizing the importance of caring for and nurturing the natural world around us. Additionally, the book's gentle themes of kindness, patience, and perseverance make it a great mentor text for teaching figurative language, writing prompts, and other language arts activities.
25. Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
The book follows a young girl and her father as they purchase a variety of potted plants and flowers from a local store and work together to create a beautiful garden in their urban apartment. The book's colorful illustrations and lovely storyline make it a great way to introduce young readers to the joys of gardening and the arrival of spring.
26. The Story of the Easter Bunny by Katherine Tegen
Spring is such an exciting time in the classroom, and one book that always makes it onto my read-aloud list is “The Story of the Easter Bunny” by Katherine Tegen. This heartwarming tale tells the story of how the Easter Bunny came to be, and is beautifully illustrated by Sally Anne Lambert. The language is simple and engaging, making it a perfect choice for first-graders who are just starting to develop their reading skills. The book is also full of themes that are relevant to the season, including the importance of kindness, generosity, and the joy of giving.
27. The Reason for a Flower by Ruth Heller
This is an excellent read-aloud choice for first-graders in the springtime. This beautifully illustrated book takes young readers on a journey through the life cycle of a flower, explaining the different parts and their functions. The language is engaging and easy to understand, making it perfect for young readers who are just starting to explore science concepts. The book also teaches important lessons about the natural world and the interconnectedness of living things. Reading this book aloud to your class can inspire curiosity and a love for nature that will last long after spring has passed.
28. Spring for Sophie by Yael Werber and Jen Hill
Sophie loves all the seasons, but she can't wait for spring to arrive. As she eagerly anticipates the arrival of warmer weather and blooming flowers, she starts to notice signs of spring all around her. This adorable story with lovely illustrations is a great way to teach young readers about the changing of the seasons and the joy that comes with the arrival of spring.
29. Little Blue Truck's Springtime by Alice Schertle
The little blue truck and his farm animal friends work together to plant a garden and welcome the new season. This book is filled with colorful illustrations, engaging rhymes, and important lessons about the value of teamwork and kindness. First-grade students will love the charming characters and relatable storyline.
30. In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer
Have you ever heard the saying “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”? This book is a charming and educational story that explores the famous weather saying about March. The story follows a young girl who experiences the wild and unpredictable weather of March, from fierce winds and snow to sunny skies and gentle breezes. Through delightful illustrations and simple language, young readers will learn about the changing seasons and the natural phenomena that come with them.
31. The Thing About Spring by Daniel Kirk
In “The Thing About Spring” by Daniel Kirk, Rabbit is feeling down because he thinks he won't be able to do any of the winter activities anymore. But Mouse reminds him of all the good things about spring – the flowers blooming, the trees getting their leaves back, and the animals coming out of hibernation. The book is a great read aloud for first grade students because it teaches them about the changing seasons and the beauty of spring.
32. The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
The Carrot Seed” by Ruth Krauss is a classic tale of determination and patience. It tells the story of a young boy who plants a carrot seed, but everyone tells him that it won't grow. Despite their doubts, the boy takes care of the seed, watering it and pulling the weeds around it. Eventually, the seed sprouts into a beautiful carrot plant, much to everyone's surprise. This simple story is perfect for first-grade students, as it teaches them the importance of hard work and perseverance.
33. From Seed To Plant by Gail Gibbons
From Seed to Plant” by Gail Gibbons is an informative book that takes young readers on a journey through the life cycle of plants. The book explains how seeds germinate, grow, and develop into mature plants. The illustrations are colorful and provide visual aids to help children understand the scientific concepts.
This book is an excellent resource for teaching first-grade students about the science of plants and gardening. It can be used to introduce the concept of plant life cycles and the importance of taking care of plants. The book is also a great way to teach children about where their food comes from and the process of planting and growing fruits and vegetables.
34. Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson
This is a cute story about a rabbit who loves collecting and hoarding carrots. However, his carrot stash has grown so large that he can't even fit into his cozy burrow. In his search for a solution, he asks for help from his animal friends, but none of their suggestions work. It's only when a friend in need appears that Rabbit realizes the value of sharing and teamwork.
I hope you enjoyed this list of my favorite spring read alouds for first grade! Happy spring and happy reading!
SAVE THESE IDEAS
Take a minute to save these tips to your favorite first grade writing Pinterest board so you can remember them later!
