When Spring Comes

The author's fourth full-color photographic essay on the seasons celebrates early buds, nursing foals, and the spring holidays all the way through Memorial Day.

PreSchool-Grade 2-Through crystal-clear full-color photos and a simple narrative, Maass demonstrates the wonders of spring. Aspects of the season are related in terms easy enough for beginning readers, and the style has a rhythm that will keep children motivated. The pictures include multiethnic boys and girls and present positive images of various religious groups. Young readers will enjoy the information, while preschoolers will be captivated by the photographs.
Marcia S. Rettig, South Buffalo Elementary School, Freeport, PA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A gifted photographer completes his cycle of the seasons with a fourth group of lyrically captioned color photos. From March's first kite flying near trees still unleafed to a first beach trip and a wedding, Maass once again captures the season with unexpected insights into such expected sights as a mother duck and her brood, spring cleanup tasks, showers, flowers, holidays, and baseball. A fine conclusion to an excellent series. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 3-8) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 4-7. "Spirits soar when spring comes." Thus begins the author's fourth simple seasonal photo-essay. For those who live in northern climes, spring means a return to activity, as this volume so aptly illustrates: Snow melts, sap runs, flowers bloom, birds return, and animal mothers give birth. The crisp color photos capture human endeavors of springtime as well--cleaning, building, and repairing roofs and bikes and boats, and the celebration of spring holidays: Passover, Easter, and Memorial Day. The spirit of hope and renewal unfolds in the uncomplicated text, which is accompanied by large and small photographs warmly expressing the feelings of this special time of year. Deborah Abbott