Northeast Ohio Parent’s Reading Room has partnered with Cleveland Public Library this year. Fill your bookshelf with these recommendations.
Younger Children (Ages 0-5)
And Then It’s Spring 
by Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead
A beautifully illustrated book follows a boy and his dog as they wait for the first signs of spring after planting seeds.
Plant the Tiny Seed
by Christie Matheson
An interactive picture book that allows children to simulate planting and caring for seeds by pressing, tapping, and turning pages. It’s a perfect tool to teach children about growth and change in spring.
Early Readers (Ages 6-8)
Frog and Toad Are Friends
by Arnold Lobel
This classic book of stories captures the adventures and friendship between Frog and Toad, with themes ideal for the blooming season of May.
Diary of a Worm
by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss
A worm’s humorous perspective on spring life below us.
Middle Grade Readers (Ages 9-12)
The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown
A robot named Roz adapts to a remote, wild island and learns from the wildlife and nature around her in heartwarming adventures.
Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
by Kate DiCamillo
Flora Belle and a squirrel named Ulysses go on an adventure after Ulysses gains superpowers from a vacuum cleaner accident. The story combines humor, adventure, and philosophical musings.
Teens (Ages 13+)
The Green Teen Cookbook
Edited by Laurane Marchive and Pam McElroy
Looking for an eco-friendly cookbook? This book is perfect for teens interested in sustainable and seasonal cooking. Find recipes and tips for using fresh, locally-sourced produce in May and all-year-round.
Hoot
by Carl Hiaasen
A fun and engaging eco-mystery that follows a boy named Roy who tries to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site.
– Annisha Jeffries, youth services manager at Cleveland Public Library, Visit for info cpl.org