And Then It's Spring

Why It's On Our Shelf

The text by Julie Fogliano is poetic and patient, matching the slow pace of waiting for seeds to sprout. A boy plants seeds and then waits through 'brown' for what feels like forever before green finally appears. The illustrations by Erin Stead are muted and gentle, using limited color until the spring finally comes and green explodes across the page. What this book teaches is that some things can't be rushed - you plant, you wait, you trust the process. It's a good counter to instant gratification culture, showing that patience and faith in natural processes is sometimes all you can do. The ending payoff feels earned because the waiting felt real.