Best Picture Books for Spring: 5 Compared

The best picture books for spring welcome the season with rabbits, bears, blossoms and new growth. We compared five picture books by author, pages, reading age and publisher, using only what each listing publishes.

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Compare the books

Specifications are publisher stated, collected 20 October 2026.

The five books

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Busy Spring by Taylor	9.6/10	Buy
2	Too Many Carrots by Hudson	9.6/10	Buy
3	And Then It's Spring	9.6/10	Buy
4	Spring is Here	9.6/10	Buy
5	Everything Spring by Esbaum	9.6/10	Buy

1

Busy Spring by Taylor

Sean Taylor·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page picture book about nature waking up in spring, for ages 3 to 6, 2021 edition.

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Pros

• Reading age 3-6 stated
• 32 pages stated
• 2021 edition, the newest here

Cons

• No grade level detail beyond Preschool-2
• Nature theme only
• No board book version stated

2

Too Many Carrots by Hudson

Katy Hudson·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page picture book about a rabbit with too many carrots, for ages 2 to 5, 2016 edition.

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Pros

• Reading age 2-5 stated
• 32 pages stated
• Capstone Young Readers publisher

Cons

• 2016 edition, older
• Rabbit theme only
• No board book version stated

3

And Then It's Spring

Julie Fogliano·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page picture book in gentle verse about waiting for spring, for ages 2 to 4, 2012 edition.

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Pros

• Reading age 2-4 stated
• 32 pages stated
• Roaring Brook Press publisher

Cons

• 2012 edition, older
• Quiet verse, not action
• No board book version stated

4

Spring is Here

Will Hillenbrand·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page picture book about Bear and Mole welcoming spring, for ages 2 to 5, 2012 edition.

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Pros

• Reading age 2-5 stated
• 32 pages stated
• Holiday House publisher

Cons

• 2012 edition, older
• Friendship theme only
• No board book version stated

5

Everything Spring by Esbaum

Jill Esbaum·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 16-page photographic picture book about spring, for ages 2 to 6, National Geographic, 2010 edition.

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Pros

• Reading age 2-6 stated
• National Geographic photos
• Widest age range here

Cons

• 16 pages, half the others
• 2010 edition, the oldest here
• Photos, not illustrations

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More picks to compare

• Spring Parade by KayFor a spring parade picture book, ages 1-5.Check on Amazon
• Cherry Blossoms Say SpringFor cherry blossoms, ages 3-5.Check on Amazon

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs performance (age fit and theme), build (edition clarity), value for the stated specs and safety. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

Which of the best picture books for spring should you pick?

Pick Busy Spring for the newest nature book at ages 3 to 6. Choose Too Many Carrots for a rabbit classic at ages 2 to 5. Pick And Then It’s Spring for gentle verse at ages 2 to 4. Choose Spring is Here for a friendship story at ages 2 to 5. Pick Everything Spring for National Geographic photos at ages 2 to 6. For the required category, browse our picture books.

Before you buy

• All five state a reading age from 1 to 6; check the range for your child.
• Four have 32 pages; Everything Spring has 16.
• Editions run from 2010 to 2021; Busy Spring is the newest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the newest?

Busy Spring, 2021 edition. The oldest is Everything Spring, 2010 edition.

Which has the most pages?

Four books have 32 pages each. Everything Spring has 16.

Which suits the youngest readers?

And Then It’s Spring at ages 2 to 4, and Too Many Carrots and Spring is Here at ages 2 to 5.

Which has photos instead of illustrations?

Everything Spring, a National Geographic photographic book. The rest are illustrated.

Still deciding? Our top pickBusy Spring by Taylor

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens books lists.