Spring is here! The sun is out, the flowers are blooming, and…the creatures are stirring! Whether you find yourself waking up to the chirping of birds in the morning, discover a colony of ants has found your fruit bowl, or notice a bee pollinating a flower outside your house, these small but mighty animals help bring new life to this colorful season. From silly picture books to informative guidebooks, our collection features a wide variety of works that educate us about and connect us to the lives of birds, bugs, and bees. Check out some of these titles below!

Nonfiction

Birds: Little Kids First Nature Guide
Written by Moira Rose Donahue
National Geographic Kids
Ages 4-8
Available now

In this nature guide, children can learn about and identify a wide variety of bird species, from parakeets to penguins. Each page includes close-up pictures of a type of bird, paired with brief but informative facts. This photograph-heavy book will engage young bird-watchers and further inspire those who notice the rare cardinal in the backyard. Its compact size makes it a great addition to a walk through the woods or a picnic at the park.

Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest
Written by Ranger Hamza
Illustrated by Kate Kronreif
Ivy Kids
Ages 4-7
Available May 7th, 2024

Take a walk through nature with Ranger Hamza, as he guides you through finding a bird’s nest in a tree or spying worms digging through the soil. Based on ranger role on the British television channel, CBeebies, Ranger Hamza welcomes readers to identify nature’s wonders in their own surroundings with easy activity suggestions and fun facts about common sightings. Although it is nonfiction, Ranger Hamza’s inviting narration style reads as an adventure, and the colorful illustrations will engage young readers. This book would be great for curious young minds that often find themselves wandering off on walks.

Ultimate Bugopedia: The Most Complete Bug Reference Ever (2nd Edition)
Written by Darlyne Murawski and Nancy Honovich
National Geographic Kids
Ages 4-8
Available now

In this 2nd edition, authors Murawski and Honovich combine their expertise with entomologist Bill Lamp to provide an in-depth guide to over 100 bugs. Each two-page spread focuses on one type of bug—such as the bombardier beetle or the dead leaf butterfly. One page contains a close-up photograph of the bug, and the other page includes a short paragraph of information as well as some other fun, informative fact. With a thorough introduction that covers topics such as bug migration and communication, this book is best used as a reference book for young bug-lovers or those searching for a fun—or disgusting—fact or two.

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants
Written and illustrated by Philip Bunting
Crown Books for Young Readers
Ages 4-8
Available now

With witty, informational text and simple, endearing illustrations, Bunting draws children in to the world of ants. Readers learn about ants’ odorous communication system, their group mentality, and their role in consuming plants and recycling them as nutrients for soil. This playful nonfiction picture book may spark an interest in ants and inspire the next generation of entomologists, biologists, and inquiring minds.

Fiction

Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten
Written by Michelle Knudsen
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Candlewick Press
Ages 4-8
Available now

Perfectly titled, this goofy yet heartwarming picture book follows a spider who enters a house of a woman, who quickly begins to care for this spider…as a kitten. She names the spider Luigi, feeds him breakfast, plays with him, and encourages him to nap. After a while, Luigi admits to himself that he very much likes being a kitten, and the woman admits that she knows he is a spider. The soft illustrations and funny storyline pair well with themes of self-acceptance and joy.

Maisy Loves Bees
Written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Candlewick Press
Ages 1-3
Available now

Lovable Maisy returns with a fascination for bees! This board book combines informational text about bees on the left pages with a Maisy storyline on the right pages, bringing readers through Maisy’s day caring for and appreciating bees. Cousins’ signature colorful, thick-lined style and simple, engaging text will appeal to babies and young toddlers who love to explore.

The Secret Language of Birds
Written by Lynne Kelly
Delacorte Press
Ages 8-12
Available now!

While trying to fit in at summer camp, Nina spots two endangered birds that she knows haven’t nested in the area in over a century. Puzzled and intrigued, Nina plots a plan to help protect these rare birds and finds friends of her own in the process. Kelly’s poignant and powerful new children’s fiction novel speaks to young middle graders who love asking questions and searching for answers.