If you’re hunting for a cheerful kids’ book about seasons, Little Blue Truck’s Springtime (part of the popular series that started with Little Blue Truck in 2008) deserves a spot on your shelf. Shertle teams up with illustrator Jill McElmurry again, filling pages with playful baby animals—think fuzzy ducklings, wobbly lambs, and even a curious calf. The story’s gentle rhythm (“Peep! Peep! Moo! / Spring is here, and that means…”) makes it great for read-aloud time.

Unlike heavier spring reads like Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms, this one keeps things light. Little Blue Truck greets each animal friend as they explore meadows (though sharp-eyed readers might spot a sneaky toad hiding on three pages—kids love finding it!). The message about teamwork isn’t forced, blending naturally into the adventure.

Pair this with interactive titles like Tap the Magic Tree for a spring-themed story hour. Fair warning: The “Beep! Beep!” refrain tends to stick in your head. A few parents mention the paperback’s pages are thinner than the hardcover, so consider durability if buying for classroom use. At around 20 pages, it’s short enough for bedtime but packed with enough detail to spark “Let’s read it again!” requests.