When Will it be Spring

Written and Illustrated by: Catherine Walters

Recommended for: Children Ages 3-7

Theme: Science

Summary:

     A young bear cub, Alfie, anxiously waits for his first Spring to come. While hibernating with his mother for the winter, Alfie is restless for Spring to arrive and is afraid that he will oversleep. He is looking so hard for the things his mother describes that he keeps tricking himself into thinking that he sees these signs of Spring. Each time Alfie wakes up his mother from her slumber, she quickly learns that he was mistaken and he is put back to bed. One final time, Alfie wakes up to see that Spring has finally arrived but he quickly falls asleep in a field of flowers.

     This is a perfect book to read after a long winter, like those that we have here in Central New York. Children are eager, just like little Alfie, to see the first signs of Spring and to get out into the warm sunshine. Children in pre-school and kindergarden will be likely to have some of the same misconceptions as Alfie in thinking that Spring has come. The children will enjoy making predictions and reading on to see if they were correct. They very much will enjoy the ironic ending, where Alfie finally falls to sleep after seeing that Spring has come.

About the Author:
     Catherine Walters has written several books about Alfie Bear, including: Are You There, Baby Bear?; Time to Sleep, Alfie Bear; Where Are You, Alfie Bear; Let's Play, Alfie Bear; and Play Gently, Alfie Bear. She has also written The Magical Snowman and Max and Minnie. When Will it be Spring? has also been published in a Spanish version.

Suggestions for the Classroom:
*Pre-Reading Activities: Discuss with children: What type of things make you think of Spring? Write their thoughts down on the board/paper (butterflies, flowers, sunshine, etc.).
*During Reading: Give students the opportunity to make predictions about what Alfie sees through the cave door (using sticks with the students names would be helpful to give each student a chance to share).
*Post-Reading Activities: Have students draw a picture of their favorite activity to do on a beautiful Spring Day.

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Spanish Version