Spring Picture Books We Love!

 *DISCLOSURE* Thank you to the publisher for providing review copies in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own. 

I am so excited to share this roundup of books with you today!  These titles are our new favorite books for reading aloud.  They are so full of great information and beautiful illustrations making them super fun to read!

Have a budding aviator, engineer or just a kiddos who loves planes?  Check out:

Planes: From the Wright Brothers to the Supersonic Jet 

by Jan van der Veken

How does a plane move through the air? What is turbulence? What do those lines on the runways mean? All these questions and many more are answered in this gorgeously illustrated history of planes and flight. The book opens with a basic introduction to plane anatomy and shows how aircrafts have developed over the ages. Readers will then learn about aerodynamics, the mechanics of wing shape and lift, and how ailerons, propellers, and flaps work. There's even a section on communications systems, runway design, and GPS. Profiles of famous historic planes illustrate basic principles throughout the book. Readers will find out about record-breaking flights across continents and oceans; how "flying wings" evolved into the B-2 bomber; and where the world's most treacherous runways are located. A section on experimental aircraft looks at zeppelins, flying cars, and the fate of the Concorde jet. Jan Van Der Veken's lushly colored, retro drawings detail everything from plane design to the physics of flight and provide the perfect companion to his engaging text. Budding aviators will linger over every detail of this information-packed book that serves both to demystify and celebrate the miracle of flight.

This is a fascinating encyclopedic guide to the history and mechanics of flight, from the Wright Brothers to the Concorde and we really enjoyed reading it.

Here is a shorter book that teaches a little art and takes you on a tour of New York:

Mona Lisa in New York 

by Yevgenia Nayberg

Mona Lisa is taking a trip to New York from the Louvre. Yes, that Mona Lisa. The one with the knowing smile. After hanging in the museum for a while she decides to explore the city. She slips out of her painting and meets Tag, a street art figure. He takes her on an adventure from the Bronx to the Brooklyn Bridge and it turns out Mona Lisa doesn't know as much as she thought. In this beautiful and charming book, artist Yevgenia Nayberg, an immigrant to New York herself, shows young readers the city she has fallen in love with. Cleverly portraying da Vinci's iconic subject as a world-weary, know-it-all, Nayberg takes readers on a tour of New York. Mona Lisa and Tag eat pizza in the Bronx, listen to jazz in Harlem, dance to salsa music on the High Line, and swim at Brighton Beach. As Mona Lisa says goodbye to her new friend, she--and the readers--come away with a profound appreciation of the city and its wonders.

Maybe you need a board book to help your littles fall to sleep?  How about:

Sleep, Cat, Sleep! 

by Antje Damm

It can be hard to fall asleep because who wants to stop playing, talking, and just having fun. Sometimes, it's just as difficult to stay asleep. There can be noises, lights, and many other distractions. Cat has this very problem in Sleep, Cat, Sleep! He's calmly resting until you open the book and wake him up. Every time he thinks it's safe to fall back asleep, you flip the page and bother him again! All he wants is for you to close the book so he can start dreaming away. Author and illustrator Antje Damm has created an uproariously funny book to help young children fall asleep. They will be delighted with all the different ways Cat can come up with to get kids to let him sleep. A new surprise awaits with every turn of the page, but we don't want to give away who falls asleep at the end of this book!

What a fun and charming book!

Looking to add a little geography to your bookshelf?  Check out:

Great Rivers of the World 

by Volker Mehnert and illustrated by Martin Haake

Where in the Rhein does the Nibelung Treasure lie? What river helps mark the prime meridian? Why do people make pilgrimages to the Indian city of Benares? Why is the Mekong called the "Nine Dragon" river in Vietnam? How does the Mississippi divide and unite the United States? These and hundreds of other facts are explored in this wonderfully illustrated atlas of the world's great rivers. Each spread in this book offers a colorful map packed with drawings, figures, and facts. Cities that border the rivers are highlighted, as are distinct flora and fauna, significant natural and human-made features, and fascinating historical details. A "biography" of each river describes where it flows, and its importance to the communities it passes through. Special attention is given to the ecological health of the rivers--those that are thriving and those in danger of losing their valuable habitats. Along the way, young readers will come to understand the enormous impact that rivers have on our lives, while learning valuable information in a way that will spark their curiosity and imagination.

An absolutely beautiful book that let's you spend hours navigating the world's great rivers.  This vibrant, fact-filled book for kids (and adults alike!) that blends geography, history, and culture.

How about a fun book about a bake sale that includes tons of great recipes your budding bakers will want to master?  

Pie for Breakfast: Simple Baking Recipes for Kids 

by Cynthia Cliff

When Hazel and her father bake together, her mother says they make the whole house smell like a fancy bakery. And when they bake in the morning, they get to eat their goods as a special treat--even if it's for breakfast. One day Hazel decides to organize a morning bake sale for her school and encourages her friends to contribute to the effort. The results take readers all over the world, from strawberry mochi and pumpkin empanadas to Indian-spiced shortbread and Egyptian basbousa cake. Best of all, each of these treats including with muffins, carrot cake, scones, and vegan and gluten-free items--comes with its own easy-to-follow recipe. Cynthia Cliff's charming illustrations combine the simplicity of folk art with a sophisticated flair. Her down-to-earth baking accommodate all sorts of substitutions and skill levels. The perfect book for satisfying baking, Pie for Breakfast introduces children to new flavors and treats, opening their palates and their eyes to the delicious ways that baking can bring us together.

Not only will you find yummy recipes in this book, but it also features a powerful message about family, diversity, and helping others.

Finally, our favorite book for young chefs, gardeners and botanists:

Veggie Power 

by Olaf Hajek 

As more and more families focus on local and organic eating, this delightful introduction to common vegetables offers a delectable serving of uncommonly beautiful illustrations and fascinating information. As in his previous book, Flower Power, Olaf Hajek's wondrously imaginative and detailed illustrations of vegetables are paired with engaging and eye-opening texts. Organized by season, the book tells how each vegetable is grown, how it can be enjoyed on our plates, its health benefits, historical tidbits, and botanical fun facts. From the first spring onion to pumpkins harvested just before the frost, this inviting journey through the growing seasons celebrates the artistic, historical, and culinary bounty that awaits us in the garden and at the table.

 We love this illustrated garden of vegetable delights that will make children interested in learning about what's on their plates.

These books are fantastic for both at-home learning and leisure reading for both kids and adults!  Spice up your bookshelves this spring with any of these wonderful picture books! 

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.