Best Children’s Books about Spring (2026): 5 Compared

Flowers, bees and longer days are here, and the best children’s books about spring welcome the season with little readers. We compared five spring books by spring fit, publisher and reading age, using only what each Amazon listing states. Every figure below comes from the listings, not from our own reading.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever	9.8/10	Buy
2	When Spring Comes	9.7/10	Buy
3	The Flower Thief	9.7/10	Buy
4	Spring Stinks	9.7/10	Buy
5	Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring	9.6/10	Buy

1

Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever

Suzanne Lang·9.8/10 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 spring picture book, 32 pages, reading age 2 to 5 years, published January 2, 2024.

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Pros

• 32 pages of spring fever humor
• Includes fun stickers per the listing
• Random House Studio; 2024 edition

Cons

• Sales claims in the description are the publisher's
• Silly for grumps; not for calm readers
• Jungle animals; no real spring science

2

When Spring Comes

Kevin Henkes·9.7/10 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 spring picture book, 40 pages, reading age 2 to 4 years, published February 12, 2019.

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Pros

• 40 pages; the longest here
• Caldecott Medalist and Newbery Honor author
• Greenwillow Books; 2019 edition

Cons

• Sales claims in the description are the publisher's
• Gentle pacing; slow for wiggly readers
• 2019 edition

3

The Flower Thief

Alice Hemming·9.7/10 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 spring picture book, 32 pages, reading age 3 to 6 years, published March 4, 2025.

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Pros

• 32 pages of Squirrel and Bird
• Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; 2025 edition
• Companion to The Leaf Thief per the listing

Cons

• Sales claims in the description are the publisher's
• Letting go; gentle conflict
• 32 pages; quick read

4

Spring Stinks

Ryan Higgins·9.7/10 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 spring board book, 32 pages, reading age 2 to 6 years, published January 5, 2021.

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Pros

• Board book; durable for toddlers
• Disney Hyperion; 2021 edition
• Kirkus praised the illustrations

Cons

• Smelly spring jokes; not for all
• Little Bruce series; small format
• 32 pages; quick read

5

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

Kenard Pak·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 spring picture book, 32 pages, reading age 2 to 5 years, published February 18, 2020.

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Pros

• 32 pages of seasonal change
• Henry Holt and Co.; 2020 edition
• Boy and dog explore nature

Cons

• Simple text; older kids may skip
• 2020 edition
• Changing Seasons series; short

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More picks to compare

• Very Hungry Caterpillar First SpringSuits readers wanting an Eric Carle spring book, 16 pages.Check on Amazon
• Spring is Here: A Bear and Mole StorySuits readers wanting a bear and mole story, 32 pages.Check on Amazon
• The Worst Spring BookSuits readers wanting a silly spring read, 43 pages.Check on Amazon
• Fletcher and the Springtime BlossomsSuits readers wanting a fox spring adventure, 32 pages.Check on Amazon
• I Am SpringSuits readers wanting a spring science book, 40 pages.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Specs as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs spring fit, publisher, value and reading guidance. All five listings state a reading age from customers. 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.

How to choose the best children’s books about spring

Reading age

Reading ages run from 2 to 4 years (Henkes) to 2 to 6 years (Spring Stinks). Browse picture books for more.

Story or science

Some books tell spring stories; others teach seasons. Our books about summer list covers more.

Format

Spring Stinks is a board book; the others are picture books. All are 32 to 40 pages.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age against your child.
• Compare the 32 to 40 page counts.
• Sales claims in the descriptions are the publisher’s; treat as marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is the longest?

When Spring Comes, at 40 pages.

Which book is a board book?

Spring Stinks.

Which book includes stickers?

Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever.

Which book is by a Caldecott Medalist?

When Spring Comes, by Caldecott Medalist and Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes.

Still deciding? Our top pickGrumpy Monkey Spring Fever

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Related lists

See every picture list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: books about summer, books about weather and books about trees.