A sublime picture book captures the long, anticipation-filled wait for spring and the moment it culminates in sudden realization that spring has finally arrived. Julie Fogliano’s spare, fresh, lyrical writing is paired with Erin E. Stead’s delicate, whimsy-filled illustrations depicting a young gardener planting seeds and then waiting … and hoping. Days turn into weeks: “and the brown, / still brown, / has a greenish hum / that you can only hear / if you put your ear to the ground / and close your eyes.” Despite this careful observation, the boy still misses the moment when spring sneaks in and transforms the landscape: “and you walk outside / to check on all that brown, / but the brown isn’t around / and now you have green, / all around / you have / green.” Humorous details enliven illustrations that show a brown, muddy landscape that is ultimately transformed to vibrant green. (Ages 3–7)

Following a snow-filled winter, a young boy and his dog decide that they've had enough of all that brown and resolve to plant a garden. They dig, they plant, they play, they wait . . . and wait . . . until at last, the brown becomes a more hopeful shade of brown, a sign that spring may finally be on its way.

Julie Fogliano's tender story of anticipation is brought to life by the distinctive illustrations Erin E. Stead, recipient of the 2011 Caldecott Medal.

This title has Common Core connections.

And Then It's Spring is one of The Washington Post's Best Kids Books of 2012.
One of Kirkus Reviews' Best Children's Books of 2012