Mud Flat Spring by James Stevenson

From the Publisher

Welcome back to Mud Flat, James Stevenson's strangely familiar, always surprising, often curious town where all the lovable citizens have something to say.

This time the topic of most conversations is spring, and everyone is talking — dancing — or both. This fifth book in the Mud Flat series features nine easy-to-read, buoyant chapters and Stevenson's signature full-color illustrations on every page.

Children's Literature

It's finally spring in Mud Flat! The sky is blue, and Mrs. Huff and her children find the first crocus. The animals begin their spring dance, and they try, unsuccessfully, to wake up Morgan, the bear, from his long sleep. Alas, the next morning Mud Flat is again buried in snow. But the animals have so much fun in the fresh snow they don't mind that winter isn't really over yet, and they look forward to another spring soon. This is fifth in the charming series of "Mud Flat" books. These simple chapter books are just right for new readers, and they have plenty of fun watercolor and pen illustrations. They also make a nice read aloud book for younger children.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-The animals of Mud Flat are greeting spring, all in their own unique ways. When grumpy Morgan the bear awakens from hibernation, Lois the duck fools him into thinking that it's still winter. Bentley the mole accidentally burrows the first crocus right out of the ground, but then replants it. Snails, a worm, a beaver, and insects are creating dances to welcome the season, but Albert the pig's idea of celebrating is napping under a tree. The usually gruff Mr. Crocker the crocodile goes into a state of bliss when he sees and smells the flowers, but he doesn't want anyone else to know it. Then one morning, the animals wake up to a big surprise: Mud Flat is buried in spring snow, and they all go coasting. They decide that they are very lucky-this year they will have two springs. These good-natured antics are accompanied by Stevenson's trademark giggle-inducing illustrations, which greatly enhance the vignettes. The pen-and-ink and watercolor drawings of the snail, the worm, and the beaver's spring dance are particularly funny. The author's sense of humor is on target for his audience and the stories should spark discussion about signs of spring. A sensational seasonal selection.-Anne Parker, Milton Public Library, MA

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