Picture Books on the Seasons for Little Kids

Depending on how aware he is and where you live, your preschooler may start to notice various changes throughout the year—weather, decorations, holidays celebrated, schedule variations, bedtime, etc. These changes, of course, are due to seasons, a somewhat difficult concept for young children to understand.

A great way to teach your little one about the changing seasons is by reading books.

These books about the seasons use age-appropriate words and wonderful illustrations to demonstrate the natural change that happens every year. And if you happen to live in a climate where the changing seasons aren't so obvious, at least weather-wise, these books will provide a nice geography lesson for your little one as well. 

If your preschooler is looking for more information, you can supplement your picture-book reading in a few different ways:

  • Going outside. This of course only works if you live in an area where the changing of seasons is apparent.
  • If you are in a place where the weather is the same somewhat year-round, use the Internet to look for pictures of different places that experience seasonal changes. Not sure what spot to choose? Try a vacation spot that your preschooler has been to before, or maybe one that they are familiar with on television, for example, Times Square in New York City or Walt Disney World. 
  • Check out a live camera. There are plenty of live cameras that stream various places all over the world. Choose your city and take a look! Try to always look at the same camera each season. Ask your preschooler about what they think looks the same and what they think looks different. 
1

Seasons

Seasons by Blexbolex
Enchanted Lion Press

Using the same terrain four times—one for each season, Seasons by Blexbolex demonstrates the changing seasons with various items and activities, such as a butterfly emerging from a cocoon and rain changing to snow.

Blexbolex is an incredibly talented printmaker, and his art is on full display in this work that will appeal not only to preschoolers but grown-ups too.

2

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons by Il Sung Na
Knopf Books for Young Readers

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons by Il Sung Na takes readers on a journey throughout the year, using simple words and gorgeous illustrations. The story focuses on animals and what they do to cope with the changing seasons. Not only do kids get to see the seasons change before their eyes, they learn about science concepts like hibernation and migration.

3

Farm

Farm by Elisha Cooper
Orchard Books

Farm by Elisha Cooper details life on a farm throughout the year, from the harvest of fall to the new growth of spring. With beautiful, full-color illustrations, Farm is a book that your preschooler will really take something from — there is a lot to look at and learn about. This book also explains (simply) how a farm works, something that might inspire your family to take a trip and check it out first-hand.

4

A Tree for All Seasons

Tree For All Seasons by Robin Bernard
National Geographic Books for Kids

Beautiful photographs are the hallmark of A Tree For All Seasons by Robin Bernard. The book focuses on a tree and how it changes — in the summer it is surrounded by animals, in the winter a lack of activity is the focus. The text doesn't just explain what is going on but also details interesting information about trees that your can-get-enough-facts preschooler will be sure to eat up.

5

The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree

The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
Scholastic

Trees are a wonderful indicator of the season, as depicted in The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons. The story follows a young boy and his apple tree and the changes it goes through throughout the year.

From making a snowman in front of the beloved tree to making an apple pie (recipe included), this sweet book uses words and illustrations to teach this important lesson.

6

The Weather/El tiempo

The Weather / El tiempo (English and Spanish Foundations Series) (Bilingual) (Dual Language) (Pre-K and Kindergarten) [Board Book] Gladys Rosa-Mendoza (Author), Carolina Cifuentes (Editor), C.D. Hullinger (Illustrator)
me+mi publishing

There's just one word per page in The Weather/El Tiempo, a bilingual book by Gladys Rosa-Mendoza, edited by Carolina Cifuentes, and illustrated by C.D. Hullinger, but that is all your preschooler will need to learn all about the different weather in the different seasons in both English and Spanish. The illustrations are appealing, featuring young children at play in all sorts of weather, giving readers someone to relate to ("I like to splash in the rain too!").

7

Four Seasons Make a Year

Four Seasons Make a Year by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Megan Halsey
Walker Childrens

In Four Seasons Make a Year by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Megan Halsey, preschoolers learn about life on a farm as it follows a young girl who plants a sunflower seed in the spring. As the days grow warmer, we watch the seed grow into a flower. Weaved into the tale are details about what the girl does in the different seasons — swims in the pond in the summer and feeds the birds seeds in the fall.

By Amanda Rock
Amanda Rock, mom of three, has spent more than a decade of her professional career writing and editing for parents and children.