Is It Spring?
Published on 26. March 2026
Book
Hardback
32 pages
978-0-06-346925-9 (ISBN)
Description
Indie Bestseller
If one day buds bloom and birds chirp, and the next day a late snow falls from the sky, is it spring? Will it ever be spring? An evergreen, child-friendly picture book that explores themes of patience, hope, the seasons, and nature by the New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes.
A flower in the garden down the street. Birds in the sky. Buds on the branches in the park. It must be spring.
But wait! What is this icy gust of wind? Why are snowflakes falling from heavy gray clouds? Will it ever be spring? Yes, says the sun. Just be patient.
Kevin Henkes, the #1 New York Times bestseller who has been awarded the Caldecott Medal, two Caldecott Honors, two Newbery Honors, two Geisel Honors, the Children's Literature Lecture Award, and Children's Literature Legacy Award, among numerous other honors, has created a masterful and classic picture book that combines an evocative call-and-response text with delicate and lovely illustrations. Readers will be left assured that the sun-and spring-will always come again.
If one day buds bloom and birds chirp, and the next day a late snow falls from the sky, is it spring? Will it ever be spring? An evergreen, child-friendly picture book that explores themes of patience, hope, the seasons, and nature by the New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes.
A flower in the garden down the street. Birds in the sky. Buds on the branches in the park. It must be spring.
But wait! What is this icy gust of wind? Why are snowflakes falling from heavy gray clouds? Will it ever be spring? Yes, says the sun. Just be patient.
Kevin Henkes, the #1 New York Times bestseller who has been awarded the Caldecott Medal, two Caldecott Honors, two Newbery Honors, two Geisel Honors, the Children's Literature Lecture Award, and Children's Literature Legacy Award, among numerous other honors, has created a masterful and classic picture book that combines an evocative call-and-response text with delicate and lovely illustrations. Readers will be left assured that the sun-and spring-will always come again.
Reviews / Votes
Children who anticipate every season from summer to spring will appreciate this homage to the caprices of change. - School Library JournalMasterfully captures that nebulous time when spring feels simultaneously imminent and worlds away. A seasonal triumph. - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Variable vernal weather spurs this high-spirited seasonal offering from Henkes. . . . The titular question turns refrain as answers centered around the natural world playfully highlight early spring's starts and stops. . . . Employing repeated visuals-a cat, a spotted scarf-artwork continually depicts the season's push and pull. - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
In a book that's sure to become a seasonal favorite, Henkes uses his signature ink and watercolor illustrations and a rhythmic text to explore the contradictions and hallmarks of spring. . . . The compositions are strong, giving a clear sense of story for group reading, but they're also full of details to notice on repeat readings and lap-sits. . . . Poetic in the best possible way, this perfectly contained picture book pleasingly captures the joys of a turbulent season. - Horn Book (starred review)
Timeless. - Booklist
Henkes once again proves himself a master of beauty through simplicity with this minimalist yet affirming narrative and its dreamily soft watercolor and ink illustrations. The assurance that spring will come even after icy weather and false starts feels readymade for talking with young children about the natural world or simply for offering a message of steadiness and comfort. - Shelf Awareness
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: Preschool, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 260 mm
Width: 265 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
413 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-346925-9 (9780063469259)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; Newbery Honors for Olive's Ocean and The Year of Billy Miller; and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include Is It Spring?, The World and Everything in It, A House, A Parade of Elephants, Chrysanthemum, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.
Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; Newbery Honors for Olive's Ocean and The Year of Billy Miller; and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include Is It Spring?, The World and Everything in It, A House, A Parade of Elephants, Chrysanthemum, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.
Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; Newbery Honors for Olive's Ocean and The Year of Billy Miller; and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include Is It Spring?, The World and Everything in It, A House, A Parade of Elephants, Chrysanthemum, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.