Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White begins with Wilbur the pig’s birth, when “grass was wet and the earth smelled of springtime.” His existence on the farm is in peril from the beginning, but he is saved through the intervention of Fern, the farmer’s daughter. Then another loyal friend, Charlotte, hatches a plan to keep Wilbur safe once and for all. This classic was first published in 1952 and is a Newberry Honor book.
Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Nine year-old Almanzo Wilder and his tight-knit family live on a farm in the mid-1800s. Every season has challenging, but rewarding work. In spring, the descriptions of harrowing soil, shearing sheep, and even spring cleaning are interesting and inspiring.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Mole’s journeys start when he answers Spring’s call by tunneling out of his home and leaving his cleaning behind. He sees a river for the first time – “…this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them off with a laugh….” Then Mole meets a Water Rat, and they, along with their friends, have many adventures at home and away. First published in 1908, this book is full of picturesque prose.
Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel is the shortest book on this list. Written for young readers, it uses simple vocabulary, but don’t let this fool you, because Frog and Toad stories are smart, cozy, and funny. On a rainy day, Frog tells Toad the story called “The Corner.” In it, he searches for spring and eventually finds it just around the corner.