Spring Is Here: A Barnyard Counting Book

Pamela Jane. Little Simon, $7.99 (14pp) ISBN 978-0-689-85388-3

Spring Is Here: A Barnyard Counting Book by Pamela Jane, illus. by Melissa Sweet, chronicles the approach of warmer weather on Maggie's farm. Creatures pop up all over the barnyard, from one winking cat to 10 chirping birds. A pair of leaping crickets ""chirp and sing/ They're happy that it's finally spring,"" while ""five puppies play./ They roll and tumble in the hay."" Sweet's trademark illustrations with their sketchy, fine lines, scribbles of texture and watercolor washes put the zing into spring.

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