The spring season is upon us, and brings with it a new beginning — from the world of nature with plants blooming and birds nesting to baseball games and opening day of fishing season. It has so much to offer, along with the anticipation of summer to follow.

What a perfect opportunity to share some time as a family, enjoying the outdoors and experiencing the new season. Planting a garden, flying a kite, having a picnic, playing at the park or learning how to fish are just some of the fun things children can do to learn about the world around them.

Why not plan a visit to your library and discover what they have to offer when those spring showers decide to stay around for the day? Aside from story times and other children’s activities, it is a chance to share books with your child and plant the seed for a lifelong love of reading.

Here are the titles of just a few of my favorite books that celebrate the spring season.

Of course after a long winter everyone is ready for spring, especially Karma Wilson’s character in Bear Wants More. This picture book captures the world of a bear who along with his woodland friends spends a day in search of enough food to fill his tummy.

The bear’s friends try to throw a surprise spring party in his honor, but unexpected complications arise when he comes back from his day of adventure. The rhyming text makes it a fun read-aloud and prompts children to be a part of the story with the repetition of the phrase "bear wants more."

One of the newest books celebrating the spring season is Bob Raczka’s book Spring Things, which through its vivid illustrations and simple rhyming text offers children an overview of what spring brings and the changes they can expect to observe in the world around them.

A garden can be a true challenge with weeding and watering and keeping out any intruders who may want to share the fruits of your labor. This challenge takes on a whole new meaning when Mr. McGreely has his share of problems in Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming. Three little bunnies try to outsmart poor Mr. McGreely as he does everything humanly possible to keep his vegetables safe from any trespassers.

Another great picture book in celebration of spring is Skunk’s Spring Surprise, written by Lesléa Newman and wonderfully illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev. Once again we visit the woodland in this book, but this time it’s a skunk who is waking up from a long winter’s nap in search of her friends. She fears they have forgotten about her since she had slept so long or that they abandoned her because of her awful smell. Find out what’s in store for the little skunk in this wonderful tale of friendship.

Rainy Day by Patricia Lakin is a fun read that follows the adventures of four crocodiles who decide to go ahead and have fun outdoors even though the weather isn’t cooperating. Of course, they finally do find an ideal activity that proves to make everyone happy.

For all those baseball fans excited about opening day, the biography Stealing Home - Jackie Robinson: Against the Odds by Robert Burleigh is a sure winner. The book focuses on the World Series of September 1955 and the talented Jackie Robinson. The illustrations portray the intensity and excitement of this all-important game.

New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has written another children’s picture book, Out of the Ballpark, which is based on his own experiences and feelings as a child. It reflects his anticipation of being in a playoff game, which is something many young athletes can relate to.

Matt Christopher is another great author whose collection of baseball books will keep you reading all spring long and throughout the baseball season.

Events at the Derby Public Library

The Derby Public Library is a Family Place Library and offers a series of Parent/Child Workshops throughout the year. The current series, which meets on Monday mornings at 10 a.m., ends on May 7, with another series starting again on July 9 that will run for five consecutive weeks.

Friday night is Family Fun Night! Join us for a great evening out with entertainment for the entire family beginning at 6:30 p.m. once a month. On May 11, The Lost Ark will visit with a menagerie of animals, including a talking parrot. The Lionheart Puppet Company will present "The Reluctant Dragon" on June 8.

Age-appropriate story times take place weekly for children ranging in age from 12 months to five years old. For specific dates and times, call or visit the library’s website.

An early childhood music program will take place on Fridays, May 18 and 25 and June 1 with three age-appropriate classes offered each week. "Little Music Makers" includes songs, creative movement and instrumental skills.

The Book Buddies program will meet on Friday, May 11 at 3:30 p.m. Young adults partner with younger children to share their love of books by reading to them.

A popular program at the Derby Public Library is "Read to Sandy." On Tuesday, May 8 at 6 p.m., children ages 5-11 can stop in to share some of their favorite books with Sandy, who is a therapy dog. Sandy loves to listen to the children!

Registration is requested for all programs. The Derby Public Library is located at 313 Elizabeth Street in Derby. For more information call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

Susan Sherman is a children’s librarian at the Derby Public Library.