EASTER ON THE FARM: Latest in Picture Book Holiday Series

 I hope you were able to take a look at a post last fall by a talented pair of picture book creators, HALLOWEEN IN THE ORCHARD, reviewed here. That story follows a young family to a public orchard experience, and the fun involves holiday symbols and foods, seasonal changes inn nature, as well as a "find the scarecrows" visual search to extend the basic story and encourage  examining details on each page. 

BEAMING BOOKS:  March, 2024

EASTER ON NTHE FARM, written by Phyllis Alsdurf and illustrated by Lisa Hunt provides a slightly different story line. In this one a young family visits relatives on their farm, having a family-centered experience with the aunt and uncle. It also engages with the springtime symbols of new life, from piglets to fuzzy catkins on the pussy willow plants. Released March 5, this is available now to share with families, friends, and schools before the traditional Easter date arrives

This is most definitely a Christian-centric, western-tradition Easter book, but it also encompasses solid science, including the moon phase, sprouting and planting vegetables, preserving and using prior crops, seasonal changes (with a find and count suggestion on one spread), and shared community experiences. This is the fourth of the holiday series by this team and does  not disappoint. 

Within the actual narrative and in back matter the author includes a variety of kid-friendly art/craft activities, with a strong reliance on natural materials and everyday objects for those not living on or visiting a farm. Make this one of the many seasonal picture books on your family, library, or classroom shelves. 

How to Track an Easter Bunny: Get a Jump on the Holiday!

It's never too soon to build excitement for the visiting Easter Bunny, at least as far as prolific picture book author Sue Fliess is concerned. Her latest, HOW TO TRACK AN EASTER BUNNY released early in February, even getting a jump on Mardi Gras! 
In this holiday charmer, Fliess relies on her knack for writing read-aloud rhyming text to create an appealing how-to book. Then she provides interesting back matter about the origins of the Easter Bunny tradition, adds a craft idea woven with academic connections, then follows with suggestions for STEM activities. (Science Technology Engineering Math). 
The early launch allows plenty of time to engage young readers with the simple text and related activities well in advance of the holiday. After even a few re-read-alouds the young ones will be chiming in on rhyming words. 
The initial premise is that a clever Easter Bunny may hide eggs and other goodies so well that they could be left undiscovered on Easter morning. Simple steps explain and illustrations support directions for how to make a "nest" for EB (Easter Bunny), including enticements and construction procedures. A trail of carrots guarantees that EB will pause in her pursuits to discover the nest and take a brief break there before hiding the goodies. (SPOILER ALERT>>>)
The finishing touch to the nest is a generous application of glitter. Everyone knows that glitter clings to everything and leaves a trail, which is the point of this project. The story resolves as expected and the diverse group of siblings/friends resist the impulse to catch EB in the act, allowing her to continue on to the next eager home. 

Fliess has an ear for rhyme and a heart for young audiences. (Previous reviews here and  here.) Illustrator Simona Sanfilippo saturates each spread with the exuberant colors of spring, suggesting action and momentum with broad sweeping strokes and lightly interprets the excitement and energy of the characters. 
I enjoyed reading this holiday picture book and can imagine plenty of young folks who will respond eagerly to the story and to the suggested activities. 

The publisher provided a copy of the book for my review with no expectations about content.