First Notes of Spring

Ages 3 to 6

Not Quite Narwhal meets And Then It’s Spring in this charming picture book about marching to the beat of your own drum.

Juniper the badger can't wait to audition for the First Notes of Spring, the orchestra tasked with melting away winter and waking up spring every year. But she's shocked to be told by Mr. Moose the maestro that there's no room in the band for her loud percussion skills.

But as Juniper discovers other tappers, clappers, and noisemakers throughout the forest, she sets out to create a new song that melts the snow, wakes the hibernating animals, and makes the flowers bloom—a new song for Spring!

Watch the seasons change in this delightful picture book about being true to yourself, sure to leave readers with a spring in their step.

About the Author

Jessica Kulekjian first discovered her love for storytelling during a young author's contest in elementary school. Even though she lost (three times!), she didn't give up writing. After years of practice, and with lots of encouragement from family, friends, teachers, and other storytellers, Jessica became the author of picture books, including Before We Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Mighty Tree. Jessica has an MA in Teaching and works at a public charter school, supporting homeschooling families. She lives with her husband and three kids in Central California. jessicakulekjian.com • @jessicakulekjian (Instagram)

Jennifer Bower is the illustrator of over ten books, including The Funniest Man in Baseball. She grew up on old cartoons and picture books. Jennifer earned her BFA twenty years after using her first crayon. She lives in North Carolina where she knits, does crosswords, gardens, volunteers, and has pets. www.jennbower.com • @jennbower