Out here on the West Coast, spring is well and truly in full swing. I’ve missed you, blue skies and flowers! We recently received some new spring-themed children’s books for review which I’ll be sharing with you today, but our friends at Raincoast Books have an extra special treat for you! In celebration of the season, they’re sending one of my readers a big basket full of spring-themed books worth almost $140! Here’s what one lucky winner will receive:
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
I Wish You More sends the recipient a lovely list of wishes we should all be so lucky to have granted:
“I wish you more hugs than ughs.”
“I wish you more umbrella than rain.”
“I wish you more treasures than pockets.”
The watercolour and coloured pencil illustrations capture the innocence and joy of childhood, and the short non-rhyming sentence on each spread makes this an easy choice for reading aloud, even to very young ones. This simple picture book is perfect for gift-giving at baby showers, birthdays, or other milestones.
A Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
This gorgeously illustrated book introduces readers to a wide variety of nests. Not just the standard bird’s nest you would typically first think about, but also an alligator’s mud nest, a tree frog’s nest made from foam, and a platypus’ underground nest. Beautifully detailed watercolour paintings illustrate each nest and the creature that builds it, and short blocks of text explain what makes each nest unique. Not only is this a beautiful book to look at, I love that it got my girls asking questions and wanting to learn more about the animals featured inside.
This lovely picture book also reminds the reader what these nests all have in common. They are noisy until the babies leave, and then they are quiet. As a mother, I will admit the last page made my breath catch a little.
Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Coloring Book illustrated by Johanna Basford
I have a teensy confession to make. This one is mine. Sure it’s a colouring book, but I’m keeping this beauty for my own perusal and enjoyment. Johanna Basford’s lush ink illustrations draw the viewer in to an enchanted forest filled with animals, birds, flowers, and hidden objects. Each page is filled with ornate scroll work and embellishments that would take a good long time to colour if you were to finish every page.
At the end you’ll find a castle door and space to draw in the nine symbols hidden throughout the book, thus opening the stunning four page pull-out spread to discover what (or who!) is within the castle. The pages are thick card stock, perfect for actually colouring on. I haven’t decided though whether I want to actually colour in this or just appreciate the pictures on their own.
Farewell Floppy by Benjamin Chaud
“It was the perfect plan: abandon pet rabbit Floppy in the woods and take a giant leap toward adulthood. Having a bunny that moonlights as a best friend is for babies, right? It’s better to cut a pet loose, make new human friends, and not be so dependent on a floppy-eared fur ball bent on chewing electrical cords, right? If saying good-bye to Floppy is required to grow up, why does life without Floppy seem so wrong? From Benjamin Chaud, the critically acclaimed author/illustrator of The Bear’s Song and The Bear’s Sea Escape , comes this unforgettable, thought-provoking picture book about the power of unlikely friendships.”
From Rain to Rainbows by Chronicle Books
“This sweet and modern little gift book proves that after the rain always comes the rainbow. A treasure trove of delightful work by beloved indie art stars and emerging talents, this cheering collection echoes the uplifting transformation of rain into rainbows: the book begins with raindrops and umbrellas, transitions midway through, and concludes with a glorious bouquet of colorful rainbows. Perfect for bringing smiles to anyone who needs a little pick-me-up, this petite book of feelgood art is a reminder to appreciate the dark with the light, because nothing stays the same forever-and things are about to look a whole lot brighter.”
Spring Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow
“After a long winter’s sleep, the soil is springing to life. Spring flowers break through the ground to welcome warmer days. Come with Grammy and her grandchildren as they explore and learn all about 24 different flowers. Once home, she teaches them how to plant their own flowers from seeds and make beautiful bouquets.”
The Littlest Bunny in Canada: An Easter Adventure by Lily Jacobs, illustrated by Robert Dunn
“It’s Easter morning, and the littlest bunny has a big secret: he’s actually the Easter Bunny! He has a lot of work to do! Join him as he hides eggs high and low, with a final stop at your house!”
Win This Spring Basket of 7 Children’s Books
And now here’s your chance to win all seven of these books, just in time for Easter!
One lucky reader will win this entire basket of children’s books worth almost $140, courtesy of our generous friends at Raincoast Books. Enter in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada only, 18+. Entries will be verified.
Check out my other open giveaways listed in the right sidebar!
I put chocolate eggs and bunnies in a basket, along with small toys.
I like to put in chalk, bubbles, colouring book, crayons, chocolate eggs, a choco. bunny, jelly beans, peeps, and a few small dollar store items!!
I like to put a stuffed bunny, chocolate Easter eggs, jelly beans, coloring books, and small toys in our Easter baskets!
Purdy’s chocolate, a book, a stuffy, and lots of jelly beans!
I LIKE GOING OUTSIDE AND LETTING THE SUN WARM ME UP
My son can’t eat too much candy (hypoglycemic) so I hide eggs filled with cheese squares and goldfish and nuts. Just have to make sure that we find them all π
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Blog: http://www.journeysofthezoo.com
I like to put outside play toys like bubbles and chalk and skipping ropes in Easter Baskets but now my kids are teens and get lip gloss and new colourful socks etc.
Just love to make Easter baskets for my love ones.
add chocolate bunnies, jelly beans that are in spring colors.
Make a chocolate peanut butter and shredded wheat recipe bird nests
with jelly beans as birds eggs.
I would put the book “Spring Walk” in their Easter Basket! Thank you very much!
We like to put a book, a stuffie, a toy and some chocolate (my parents usually take care of the Easter clothes!)
books, a few chocolates, dried fruit. thanks
We always did a BUNNY egg that was decorated differently from the others.The winner got a special prize,usually a book or craft kit.
I like to put books, socks, and a new H & M spring dress in DD’s baskets.
I put one chocolate bunny, a book and a pair of sneakers for spring
This year I made a bunny and carrot
I’d say books, chocolate and games.
Every year its different but generally I include a small stuffed animal (last year they each got a stuffed puppy with bunny ears), sidewalk chalk and bubbles and of course chocolate. Sometimes I add in a toy, or a game, or a DVD…it all depends on what I find when I go shopping π
There has to be chocolates and a plush chick or bunny….
Books and art supplies π
my basket must contain chocolate
It would be great to win this Spring Basket of Children’s Books.
In response to your questions of What items do you like to put in an Easter basket?
Or if you don’t celebrate, what’s your favourite activity to do in the spring?
I like to put Chocolate Mini Eggs and a Chocolate Bunny in a Easter Basket
and even though i celebrate my favourite activity to do in the spring is plant a flower garden.
Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I put puzzles, books, shoes, outside toys in our Easter baskets
A chocolate bunny, a reading book, a sticker book.
Our favourite spring activity is puddle jumping. Although all we have is snow right now.
We like to put chocolate easter eggs, stickers and coloring books in our baskets.
Try to do healthier than candy stuff in the grand kids baskets. They like crayons and coloring books and things of that nature.
I love to take walks and watch the flowers start to bloom and the birds and squirrels in the garden.
I think an Easter Basket needs a few key items.
Pastel grass
A chocolate Lindt Easter Egg
A super soft, cuddly, stuffed bunny rabbit
A few new books that either have spring themes or Bible stories
A new spring dress or outfit
Then to top it off something fun like bubbles or an other toy
And a big bow!
Stuffed toys, chocolate, stickers!
I like putting a book, dvd, outside toy, shirt, socks, hair accessories, colouring book, stickers and only a couple candy items.
I usually put in a book and a stuffed animal with a bit of quality chocolate:)
We love to jump in the leaves…and have a team to help tidy the yard while we are at it! We also love taking our dog to the dog park!
I usually put some Easter treats, books, arts and crafts materials, small toys like stuffies and toothbrushes/toothpaste.
We don’t give baskets but the kids always love the Easter egg hunt in the backyard.
This will be my first year putting together a basket (for my 3 month old) so it won’t be much; just a board book, a stuffie, and a learning toy. Next year should be more fun, though. π
We put bubbles and sidewalk chalk, and for the wee baby, it’ll be socks and a stuffie… π
I love hiding presents in the plastic eggs – stickers, hair accessories, coins – my daughter can’t wait to open each and every one!
I send a package to the grandkids with a card, a small bunny, kinder egg and some spring clothes.
My favorite thing to put in Easter baskets is a little wind-up bunny! All the kids love them!
This year we are including puzzles, books, and some Play-doh.
I would put chocolate, a craft or activity and a toy.
I like to put one big gift (like a giftcard for the older one or an electronic device), sweets/treats and arts and crafts items.
I like to leave a little craft to do, a bit of chocolate, and a chick or bunny. This year I hope to make little sock bunnies that I found on Pinterest!
I put one chocolate bunny, several decorated eggs, a peanutbutter/chocolate egg, and some jelly beans.
chocolate , books , toys
Chocolate and colored eggs
My families fav. thing to do in the spring is to ride our bikes and have picnics at the park
We haven’t done an Easter basket yet, but I’ll be hiding some of her animal figurines in some plastic eggs I bought and hiding them around the room.
Chocolate bunnies, jelly bunnies, movie passes and a card
This will be our first year but a whole basket of Books for the baskets seems like a great idea!