First Comes Spring

By Anne Rockwell

Book Overview

Bear Child notices that the clothes he wears, the things everyone does at work and play, and other parts of his world all change with the seasons. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0690044542
• ISBN13: 9780690044546
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: T.Y. Crowell Junior Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Seasonal Flavors

This is a delightful picture book that describes each of the four seasons as follows: First, we see a page showing Bear Child's house and landscape, then Bear Child is pictured and his clothes named ("This is what Bear Child wears today-rubber boots, overalls, a flannel shirt, and a Windbreaker jacket."), then a two-page spread showing an overview of what town bears do during that season (e.g., planting seeds, flying a kite), and finally, two pages of close-ups of the bears doing the activities pictured on the previous page. This systematic approach is a great way to compare and contrast the clothes, climate, flora, and activities of the seasons, yet it is never boring or repetitive: Anne Rockwell's pictures switch from wide angle to close up perspectives and this adds an unexpected twist. A very satisfying book with warm, bright, colorful, illustrations, and lots of details to explore.

The seasons from a child's perspective

This is a wonderful look at the four seasons, in a sweet Richard Scarry-esque format. Bear Child heads out to see what changes are occuring in his neighborhood, discovering that people are "working and playing" at seasonal activities. Each season has a full two-page spread of the village, and all of the bear-people are busy on the farm, in their yards and on the hillside. This is followed by two pages of the individual activities isolated and labeled. A wide range of activities are covered in the appropriate season: taking the snow tires off the car, camping out, watching the birds fly south, making snow angels. My 2 1/2 year old daughter loves this book. After checking it out of the library too many times to count, I am searching for the out-of-print book for our own collection. If your child loves to pour over the detailed books of Richard Scarry, she will probably enjoy this book as well.