Spring Is Here

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A winsome calf provides the backdrop--literally--for this charming story. With each turn of the page, the young animal is imaginatively transformed to reflect some activity of the four seasons: snow melting, seedlings springing up, harvest, all the way to the snow melting again and revealing that--the calf has grown. The story line follows the cycle of the seasons from one spring to the next, and its spare, fluid text--wedded to the vigorous graphics--vividly conveys the underlying themes of renewal and growth. Japanese artist Gomi won the Graphic Prize at the Bologna Children's Book Fair for this work, and it's easy to see why. The colors are joyful and fresh, and the artist's playful approach to perspective makes this a perfect picture book. Ages 2-6. (June)

School Library Journal

PreS-- A year from spring to spring is graphically and textually described through the earth's seasonal changes and the maturation of a baby calf. As in Hi Butterfly (Morrow) and Coco Can't Wait (Penguin, both 1985), Gomi engages readers and invites them to watch the calf's subtle physical changes plotted against those of the meadow in which he lives. The crisp, clear graphics in bright, distinct colors are sometimes collage-like in appearance, with shapes of the calf and the horizon blending together as the story progresses. These large, uncluttered illustrations and minimal text make this an ideal choice for toddler story time as well as for one-on-one usage with the lap-sittting crowd. --Celia A. Huffman, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Cleveland