HOORAY FOR SPRING!
by Kazuo Iwamura & illustrated by Kazuo Iwamura
Red-squirrel triplets Mick, Mack and Molly, having thoroughly enjoyed winter in Hooray for Snow! (2008), return for a springtime outing through the branches. They observe caterpillars and bees dining on leaves and blossoms, respectively, and then find a hungry-looking baby bird. The tufty-eared sibs do their best to tempt the bird with pinecones and cherry blossoms, to no avail. Iwamura places his characters in a softly green-and-pink setting, his delicate outlines bringing out gentle humor, especially as the bird rebuffs the squirrels’ offerings with evident disgust. The tale ends with something of a soft thud, as mother bird arrives with a worm and the squirrels describe the adventure to their parents, but it makes for a sweet seasonal diversion nevertheless. (Picture book. 3-5)