Goodbye winter, hello spring! Spring is in the air! A season of new beginnings, rebirth and when the earth comes to life. It is also season where the weather starts to warm up, trees start to grow leaves, and plants start to flower. This is the season when a lot of animals are born and birds migrate to the warmer temperatures. In New Zealand the months of spring are September, October and November. For ideas on what do in Wellington during spring, click here.
Where can I find information about spring?
- ManyAnswers has a senior and junior page dedicated to websites, resources and ways to search for information about festivals and celebrations in New Zealand, which includes Valentine’s day.
- The National Library of NZ services to schools has a page dedicated to Spring.
- Britannica has a page dedicated to Spring.
- Learn about the signs of spring with National Geographic Kids.
- Twinkl Kids’ teaching wiki has a page about Spring.
For more information about what happens in spring, check out the following books:
There’s something special about each season of the year, wherever we live in the world. Follow the children in this book as they discover and explore the unique character of spring, through indoor and outdoor play. Sensory, detailed and child-centred, this is the perfect introduction for young children to the cycles of the year. (Catalogue).
“Celebrate all the joys and wonders that the Spring season brings including holidays, spring cleaning, allergies, and the Earth”– Provided by publisher.
Too excited to hibernate through his first winter, a bear cub tries to find spring. (Catalogue).
“Follow the wonderful changes that each season brings! From bright spring blossoms to dazzling summer sunshine, vibrant autumn leaves, and sparkling winter snow. Look and Wonder is a fresh, bold, and bright narrative nonfiction series introducing children to the natural world” — Back cover.
Little Bear has just woken up from his long winter sleep. But when he pokes his head out of the den, the world around him is vast, white and silent. The only thing he sees is a smooth little stone, just as alone in the snowy wilderness as he is. He nestles it in tight to his fur and off they go in search of friends. Little Bear’s Spring is a lyrical story about friendship, with a gentle introduction to spring and what happens to the natural world when the seasons change. Written by star picture book author Elli Woollard and illustrated by Briony May Smith, who’s artwork brings a sun-dappled springtime landscape to life with breathtaking beauty. A glorious reminder for children and adults of just how wonderful the natural world is, and that, sometimes, the unlikeliest of friendships are the best kind. (Catalogue).
“Finding out about the four seasons has never been so engaging. This book is full of exciting experiments, fun puzzles, quirky humour and science facts to make you say WOW … it’s science with a BOOM!” (Catalogue).
“A stunning book exploring the cycle of seasons, the passage of time, the way people live, play, forget, remember… Through objects, places and actions, the world is revealed as both permanent and ever-changing.” (Catalogue).
Weather and seasons : questions & answers.
“Have you ever wondered why we have seasons, where the wind comes from or how we predict the weather? Read this book to find out about weather and how our planet changes throughout the year. Age: 6-9 years.” (Catalogue).
“Explore the beauty of the changing seasons in this timeless peek-through book with beautiful artwork from Britta Teckentrup and accompanying rhyming text.” (Catalogue).
Search our catalogue for more books about Spring. Also check out the catalogue for more books about seasons and the weather.
As a special treat, check out the you tube clip, courtesy of Twinkl Kids’ TV, Seasons for Kids: What happens in Spring.
Did you know? The myth about Hades and Persephone tells how the four seasons were born. During spring and summer, Persephone resides with her mother, Demeter and therefore all the crops begins to thrive. In autumn and winter, Persephone is with Hades, which would cause Demeter to become depressed.
Read more about the myth here and you can also read the following comics:
Demeter and Persephone : spring held hostage : a Greek myth.
This graphic novel tells the story of Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest, and her daughter, Persephone. Demeter rules over a perpetual summer on earth, where crops, trees, and flowers grow in abundance. Persephone, young and beautiful, unknowingly attracts the attention of the lonely god of the Underworld, Hades. Hades kidnaps Persephone, and a frantic Demeter searches in vain for her daughter. Finally, Demeter retreats to her temple in mourning. The goddess’s sorrow causes the crops to die and the ground to freeze. The first winter falls over Greece. As people begin to starve, the other Olympian gods and goddesses try to convince Demeter to accept a marriage between Persephone and Hades. But Demeter will not give up her daughter forever to the Underworld. Finally a compromise is struck: Persephone will stay with Hades for half a year (winter). When she comes back from the Underworld to spend half a year with her mother, spring returns to earth. (Catalogue).
Hades: Lord of the Dead tells the story of the great God of the Underworld and one of the most famous of all Greek myths: Hades’ abduction of Persephone and her mother’s revenge. Be prepared to see a new side of Persephone in this dynamic adaptation of the story of the creation of the seasons. Perfect to read just in time for spring. (Catalogue). Also available as an eBook.
Remember stay safe in your bubble, stay at home, be kind and spring forward to seeing you all in person.
Kia kaha!