Spring

09 March 2024 I 1001kinderbuch

Illustration: Eva-Maria Ott-Heidmann; Publisher: Urachhaus; Age recommendation: 0+; Publication: 2021 (14th edition); Pages: 12; Binding: Cardboard picture book; available from Amazon, Genialokal und Orell Füssli (affiliate Links).

In her picture book “Spring”, Eva-Maria Ott-Heidmann introduces children to spring and its magic. A picture book for younger and older children to familiarise themselves with the passing of the seasons and the happiness of nature

It is not easy to put the magic of Eva-Maria Ott-Heidmann’s illustrations into words. She conveys a feeling of quiet joy, of security, of contentment. When you look at her books, it is like pausing for a moment in the hectic world that surrounds us.

Ott-Heidmann has developed a very child-friendly and child-orientated visual language. The pictures familiarise even small children with the course of the seasons and the changes in nature. On each page, new flowers come to life: on the first page, only the snowdrops peek out from under a blanket of snow, but on the second page, crocuses are already sprouting. The next picture is suddenly colourful: tulips and daffodils proudly display their colourful blossoms.

Together with the children, you can wonderfully discover which month we are probably in. When do the first snowdrops usually appear? When do the bright daffodils appear? In which month does the weather often go crazy?

Children learn very carefully to read and observe the signs of nature. Nature changes and is part of a cycle. This cycle of nature is also a cycle of colours: While white and brown dominate the first page, it gradually becomes more and more colourful and fun.

Ott-Heidmann not only shows nature, but also how children move and play in nature: Wrapped up thickly in scarves and gloves, the children discover the first snowdrops under the trees at the beginning of the book. On the next page, the hat can already be thrown cheerfully into the air. The small pond slowly thaws and the children rediscover the fish in it, which were hidden under a thick layer of ice in winter. The children are in harmony with nature and move harmoniously in it. They don’t need a tablet or mobile phone to be happy.

The book ends magically with a starry night by a lake, where the spirits of nature gather and fairies hover eerily over a lake. Owls sit in the blossom tree and rabbits and flowers sleep. Ott-Heidmann thus elevates the forces of nature to a mystical form and captures the imagination of children: What forces guide nature? What is hidden from us?

A wonderful picture book for younger and older children to learn to be mindful of nature and to read its signs, to learn about the seasons and the calendar.

Eva-Maria Ott-Heidmann’s “Spring” is available as a cardboard picture book from Amazon, Genialokal und Orell Füssli (affiliate Links).

Ott-Heidmann has also written lovely picture book stories about the other seasons. Already reviewed at 1001 Kinderbuch is „Winter“. More reviews will follow. Here are already links to the two other seasonal books: Summer: Amazon and Orell Füssli; Autumn: Amazon und Orell Füssli; the season book: Amazon

More Books for small Children:

Good Night, Gorilla

Peggy Rathmann’s “Good Night, Gorilla” is a magical bedtime story for very young and older children about falling asleep and waking up, about feeling secure and about being at home.

7. January 2024