Spring Awakening: New Releases that will Inspire Students to Embrace the Season

by Amber Miller

January 6, 2026

As we work our way through the cold, dark months of winter, it is good to look forward to spring and the renewal that lies ahead. Picture books celebrating nature often focus on exploration, seasons, wildlife, and conservation, with popular titles including Owl Moon, The Curious Garden, Over and Under the Pond, The Hike, and Outside Your Window, featuring lyrical text and beautiful illustrations that inspire wonder and connection to the natural world for young readers.

In the spirit of discovery, here are six nature titles releasing in early 2026 that are perfect for spring and nature storytimes, encouraging curiosity and conversation.

Leave the Trees, Please

By Benjamin Zephaniah

Illustrated by Melissa Castrillón

Release Date: February 17, 2026

A gorgeously illustrated picture book that celebrates our connections to nature and to each other while empowering young readers to help protect the earth, from a beloved British poet, musician, actor, and activist.

In this powerful love letter to nature, a child who befriends a tree grows up and fights to protect it. With its spare, lyrical text, sumptuous illustrations, and back matter about trees, oxygen, and the carbon cycle, this inviting, inspiring call to save our planet is perfect for Earth Day, and every day.

Wake Up, Grouchy Bear!

By David Ezra Stein

Release Date: March 6, 2026

A hilarious new read-aloud from Caldecott Honor-winning author/illustrator David Ezra Stein, about a grumpy bear whose animal friends are determined to wake him up after a long hibernation. Pairs perfectly with Grumpy Monkey and Ryan T. Higgins’s Bruce books.

Spring is here. The world is awake and abuzz, but one animal is still sleeping. Bear! When will he finally wake up from his slumber—and what sort of mood will he be in? Caldecott Honor artist David Ezra Stein dares to poke the bear with hilarious results and reveals that spring is indeed the best season to be out and about.

A Good Hide

By Karina Iceberg

Illustrated by Natasha Donovan

Release Date: January 13, 2026

From these hands, old to new, a tradition of love passes through.

In Alaska, Fall is moose season. When the hunt is over, the community comes together to transform the raw moose hide into something truly special, step by step, with the work of many hands.

From stretching and scraping to making brain stew, each part of the process is a celebration! With humor and heart, debut author Karina Iceberg (Aleut/Alutiiq) and award-winning illustrator Natasha Donovan (Métis) share a resonant message of gratitude, community, and shared knowledge as an intertribal Native Alaskan community works together to tan a moose hide.

Features author’s note and a note from Heartdrum author-curator Cynthia Leitich Smith.

The Weedy Garden

By Margaret Renkl

Illustrated by Billy Renkl

Release Date: February 24, 2026

This debut picture book from acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author Margaret Renkl—with collage illustrations by her brother, fine artist Billy Renkl—invites readers to observe and wonder about the various inhabitants in the vibrant ecosystem of a wildlife-friendly backyard garden. Features backmatter.

If you were a hungry squirrel in the weedy garden, where would you find an acorn? If you were a cottontail rabbit, where would you hide your bunnies? And if you were a child, sitting still and listening, what would the weedy garden say to you?

Margaret Renkl, a beloved regular contributor to The New York Times and two-time recipient of the Southern Book Prize, writes beautifully about our changing natural world. In her debut picture book, she asks questions that draw young readers deeper and deeper into the garden, inviting observation and conversation along the way. Each page turn introduces a new plant or animal friend, buzzing and dancing with quiet wonder. The fine artist Billy Renkl, Margaret Renkl’s brother and frequent collaborator, brings the weedy garden to life through his signature mixed-media collages. Includes backmatter with more information about the residents of the garden, eco-friendly gardening tips, and instructions on how to make your own collage art project at home or in school.

With evergreen themes of patience and respect for the natural world, The Weedy Garden will appeal to readers of Plant the Tiny Seed, On Meadowview Street, and Peter Brown’s The Curious Garden.

Is It Spring?

By Kevin Henkes

Release Date: February 24, 2026

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 the 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.

Growing Together

By Ruth Spiro

Illustrated by Paola Escobar

Release Date: February 24, 2026

A bountiful celebration of community, teamwork, and gardening from bestselling author Ruth Spiro and award-winning artist Paola Escobar.

A child and a seedling find themselves at home in their local urban community garden. With the help of firefighters, chefs, shopkeepers, and many other members of their community, they grow alongside the flowers, vegetables, friendships, and more throughout the summer, together.

Perfect for readers of We Are the Gardeners and Dear Girl, young readers and gardeners will also love the backmatter with fun facts about the produce grown in the story. Come dig in the dirt with your friends and your neighbors!

As you celebrate nature with these engaging read-alouds, create opportunities to connect with nature by taking nature walks, creating nature-inspired art, and writing about it.

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