Seasons of the Year in Bustletown Teach Changes in Our Environment in Creative Set of Picture Books

Bring learning into the new year with learning about the seasons and how our environment changes with each exciting season. Rotraut Susanne Berner's set of four picture books will remind some of hunting for Waldo when young children become engaged in finding all of the activities in each seasonal book that we participate in. Each creative book in the set features one season with large pages that are filled with fun sights and activities of the season. Each book features a tree on the cover that encourages young readers to notice how trees change in each season. I especially like the way a tree is used to denote each season. Trees are bare in the winter, new leaves with new life appear in the spring, summer trees can be filled with fruit, and trees in the fall can feature spectacular red, yellow, and orange leaves.

Winter in Bustletown features a bare tree with creatures sitting on each bare branch. Snow comes to Bustletown with a wealth of fun activities to enjoy this time of the year. Can you find the Christmas decorations in the illustrated house? The residents of Bustletown are bundled up in winter clothes as they bike, ride the bus, and jog along through the town. How about some ice skating to wnjoy the winter in Bustletown? Someone is also decorating a Christmas tree in their home.

Spring in Bustletown brings warmer weather and the tree grows beautiful white blossoms. The children of Bustletown come out to enjoy the warm sun and participate in fun activities outside. Can you find some Easter decorations in the house? You can also visit a farm in the spring. Can you find the bunnies on the farm? Can you find the Easter treats from the bakery? What are the bunnies doing to enjoy the nice warm weather that spring brings to Bustletown?

Summer brings green leaves and fruit to the tree in Bustletown. How about a picnic under the tree? Can you find the special fruit that the citizens of Bustletown will be picking in the summer? Can you find the special summer treat that appears on the streets of Bustletown? Summer brings swimming, picnics, and some windy weather. Can you discover what happens to the lady's umbrella?

Fall brings beautifully colored leaves to the tree in Bustletown. The leaves will be falling and there is raking to be done. Can you find the special symbol of fall that comes for Halloween? Children also are seen dressed for Halloween and trick-or-treating in Bustletown. Pumpkins are everywhere in Bustletown for the fall. Can you find the pumpkin carving contest? All of the citizens of Bustletown are enjoying the fall festivals.

What goes with winter? All Around Bustletown Winter features a wealth of symbols and activities that go with winter.

*Call attention to the bare tree on the cover of the winter picture book. Children might like to take photos of the bare trees around their town.

*What kinds of winter clothes are the citizens of Bustletown dressed in? IS it cold enough in your town to wear winter clothes?

*What major holiday comes during the winter season? Engage young children in hunting for the symbols of this holiday on each page.

All Around Bustletown Spring brings blossoms to the tree. Children might like to go on a nature walk around their town to find trees with new blossoms.

*Call attention to the activites that the citizens of Bustletown are participating in during the spring. What do the children like to do in the spring?

*Engage children in finding the decorations for the special holiday that we celebrate in the spring.

All Around Bustletown Summer is special when school is over for this season. The children are busy enjoying their free time. Engage young children in spotting the fun activities that they can participate in during the summer.

All around Bustletown Fall brings the beautiful leaves of fall to the tree. Engage children in collecting some fall leaves for the classroom. Fall also brings pumpkins. Engage children in finding all of the pumpkins through Bustletown. How many can they find? The children of Bustletown are having a pumpkin carving contest. Prepare an area of the classroom for children to have their own pumpkin carving display.