Getting Ready for Spring: Spring-related books and resources in the Mercer County Library System

Throughout the world, spring is seen as a time of renewal. People think of different things when they think of the coming of spring, some think of nature arising from winter dormancy, some of blossoming cherry trees and Azalea bushes, and some of decorating eggs for Easter. To get you thinking about spring, I have listed some library resources about these and other spring-related topics:

Spring arts and crafts:

Painted eggs : using dyes, watercolours, gouache, pencil and inks by Heidi Haupt-Battaglia: If you want to get a little more elaborate this year in decorating your Easter eggs, this book has a plethora of ideas for etched, painted, and batik designs.

Primavera : the restoration of Botticelli's masterpiece by Umberto Baldini: This book describes how the Botticelli painting “Primavera,” the world’s most famous artistic celebration of the coming of spring, was restored in the 1980s to show the hidden vibrant colors which had faded over time since its creation in the 1400s.


Spring in Nature:

North with the spring; a naturalist's record of a 17,000 mile journey with the North-American spring: Naturalist Edwin Way Teale’s classic 1951 book follows his journey as the season changes from winter to spring from Florida up to New England. He describs the unqiue plants, animals, and people he encounters along the way. Includes a section on the Pine Barrens.

Chasing Spring: An American Journey through a Changing Season: Author Bruce Stutz drives and flies across the country from New York to Alaska, noting what he finds as spring comes to each region of the country.

Appalachian Spring by Marcia Bonta: A naturalist’s account of the coming of spring to Appalachian mountain woods in central Pennsylvania, describing the insects, birds, animals, and plants of the region.


Spring Flowers:

Cherry Blossoms: the offical book of the national cherry blossom festival by Ann McClellan; photographs by Ron Blunt. This book describes the history of the spring cherry-blossom festival in Washington, D.C. and how it is celebrated now. Features dozens of color photographs.

American Azaleas by L. Clarence Towe: This book describes all the different species and characteristics of this celebrated spring-blooming shrub. Includes many color photographs.



Spring Sports: 

Spring training handbook : a comprehensive guide to the ballparks of the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues by Joshua R. Pahigian. This book takes you on a guided tour through the many ballparks in Florida (the Grapefruit league) and Arizona (the Cactus league) where major league baseball teams play their spring training games.







Spring recipes: 

Easter Treats: recipes and crafts for the whole family by Jill O’Connor. A collection of Easter recipes, desserts and crafts for all ages.

Spring Evenings, Summer Afternoons: A collection of Warm-weather recipes: by Barbara Scott-Goodman. In the first half of this book you will find a listing of recipes salads, main courses, vegetables, and desserts using ingredients available fresh in the spring (such as snow peas, green peas, and asparagus).

Fresh from the market: seasonal cooking with Laurent Tourondel and Charlotte March: In the first section of this book you can find recipes for spring cocktails, appetizers, desserts, and main courses, using ingredients that can be found fresh at farmers markets in the spring.

Spring Music:

And finally, if you’re in the mood for musical inspiration, take out  the CD 40 Most Beautiful Spring Classics, which gathers spring-related classical music including Vivaldi’s “Spring” from the Four Seasons, Stavinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” and Copeland’s “Appalacian Spring”  into one musical anthology.

- Michael K.