When Will It Be Spring? Board Book

When his mother puts him down to rest for the winter, Alfie the bear cub simply cannot sleep as he anxiously thinks about the beauty and wonders of spring that is soon to come.

Kindergarten-Grade 2?Alfie's mother is trying to settle him down for his winter's sleep. She tells her little bear that when he wakes up, it will be spring. He asks, "And how will I know when it's here?" Mother Bear's answer is, "When the butterflies float by looking for new flowers." The cub wakes up early, mistakes snowflakes for butterflies, and wakes up his mother to show her. She explains that it is still winter, and then tells him of another sign of spring. Alfie continues to misread the wintry scenes until the anticipated season finally arrives. The story is charmingly told and Alfie exhibits all of the enthusiasm of an overly eager young child. Walters's soft, appealing illustrations range from large landscapes to small vignettes of a restless Alfie trying to settle down to sleep. The cleanly designed double-page spreads in season-appropriate colors will catch the eyes of young listeners during storyhour. The pictures effectively show how the cub can make these mistakes, which adds to the fun.?Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
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