WHAT MAKES THE SEASONS?

A disappointing look at the changes of the seasons that leaves out much of the science. Rhyming verses detail the transformations as the seasons change from spring through winter, while a young child questions why these changes occur. Spring brings sprouts because of all the rain; summer’s plants grow tall due to long, warm days. Fall’s explanation is the best of the four: “In all the leaves on all the trees / are teeny tree food factories. / Leaves use sun to make the food. / When there’s less sun, leaves come unglued.” Winter snow is simply frozen raindrops. While the author points out that the change of seasons is due to the orbit of the earth around the sun, she never makes clear how these two events are connected. However, she does mention that the seasons are opposite in the northern and southern halves of the earth. The illustrations are delightful—large, bold, and black-lined in basic colors that focus attention. Unfortunately, this bare-bones presentation will not satisfy anyone’s curiosity. (Picture book. 2-5)