Spring Is Here: A Bear and Mole Story (Board Books)

Mole can smell that spring is in the air, but Bear is still asleep after his long winter nap!

Excitedly he taps on the window and knocks on the door-- he even tries playing a trumpet to wake his friend so they can celebrate together.  But Bear keeps snoozing. 

But Mole is determined, so he milks and gathers and bakes a special springtime surprise for his friend-- the perfect way to wake up!

A perfect read-aloud, full of simple sound-words and lots of repetition, Spring is Here is ideal to share with young readers to celebrate the changing of the seasons.  Cozy mixed-media illustrations of big, fuzzy, dozing bear and his eager mole friend add detail and humor to the tale.

Don't miss the other Bear and Mole adventures-- First Star, All For a Dime, Off We Go!, and Kite Day.

Reviews

"The repetition, ample onomatopoeia, and tender tone of the spare text, combined with heavily textured mixed-media renderings of this gentle pair of pals, create a sunny welcome to the season."—Publishers Weekly
 
"With its abundance of noises to join in on, its short, snappy sentences, its use of happily predictable repetition, and its engaging, tightly focused mixed-media illustrations, this should make a surefire read-aloud for preschoolers."—The Horn Book
 
"The mixed-media illustrations capture both the harbingers of early springtime and Mole’s enthusiasm, while Bear’s droll expressions are charming. A sweet, simple tale of the lengths we all go to in the name of friendship…and spring."—Kirkus Reviews
 
"With plenty of repeated 'sound' words, such as 'Sniff. Sniff. Sniff,' 'Squish. Squish. Squish,' and 'Tap. Tap. Tap,' the story is fun to read aloud and lends itself to audience participation. Nicely varied in composition, the mixed-media illustrations, which include many double-page spreads, show up particularly well from a distance. A good read-aloud choice for preschool units on hibernation."—Booklist
 
"Hillenbrand’s mixed-media illustrations have a warmly colored, textured appearance. With its well-placed repetition, this simply told tale is perfect for toddlers"—School Library Journal

About the Author

Will Hillenbrand has written and illustrated a wide range of picture books for children, including the popular Bear and Mole series. Spring Is Here won the Please Touch Museum Book Award. What a Treasure! a Pennsylvania One Book, was written with his spouse Jane Hillenbrand. Will lives in Ohio, and is the Illustrator and Author in Residence at Kent State University.  Find him on the web at www.willhillenbrand.com.