So many beloved children's books celebrate spring, and now is the perfect time to enjoy them as the Easter Bunny's big day approaches. Here are our favorite picks for new stories and other classic tales perfect to read with your kids at Eastertime:

Our Latest Favorites:

Here Comes the Easter Cat by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda. 

Why should the Easter Bunny get all the love? That's what Cat would like to know. Follow this silly cat as he dons his sparkly suit, jumps on his Harley, and decides to take over as "Easter Cat". Soon, however, he discovers that delivering Easter eggs is hard work, so when a pooped-out Easter Bunny shows up, with a treat for Cat, what will Cat do?

 

I Hatched! by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Jen Corace.

A baby chick bursts from his egg and into the world! Rompy, rhyming text evokes the zeal of a toddler who's eager for everything. And Jen Corace's gorgeous artwork is alive with critters and curiosities and surprises—the biggest of which? The hatching of a new baby sister, to the absolute delight of her now "expert" big brother!

 

CUCKOO! by Fiona Roberton

Cuckoo hatches. And all is well. But when his brothers and sisters sing out Too-too-weet! Cuckoo instead chirps Cuckoo! and no one can understand him. When he leaves his nest, Cuckoo still can't find anyone who speaks his language. He tries to communicate with the other animals, but he doesn't sound like anyone else out there! Just when he thinks all is lost, Cuckoo finds an unlikely friend who understands him perfectly.

Classic Bunny Tales:

 

The Runaway Bunny

Written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd (the pair who also created another book featuring a bunny, Goodnight Moon), this lovely story follows a bunny determined to run away, and the mother bunny who always follows behind. First published in 1942, it has never been out of print since and once you read it, you will understand why. Ages 2-6.

 

I Am a Bunny

Written by Ole Risom and illustrated by Richard Scarry, this book opens with "I am a bunny. My name is Nicholas. I live in a hollow tree," and continues to explain in simple prose the life of Nicholas the Bunny throughout the different seasons of the year. A truly magical story for everyone, but especially for those ages 1-6.

 

Three Friends Find Spring

This story follows the adventures of Duck, Rabbit, and Squirrel, where Rabbit and Squirrel try to cheer-up their winter-hating friend Duck. The book includes a delightful scene when the two friends present Duck with an early Easter basket, but it still doesn't shake Duck's winter doldrums. Ages 4-8; written by Judy Delton and illustrated by Giulio Maestro, originally published in 1977.

 

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes 

Written by Dubose Heyward and illustrated by Marjorie Flack, this charming book tells the captivating story of how the Country Bunny, who even with 21 bunny children to take care of, competes against all the other bunnies in the land and is chosen by the Grandfather Bunny to be one of only five Easter Bunnies, because of her kindness and good heart. Published in 1939, this story was way ahead of its time in recognizing what a person—or bunny—can accomplish with perseverance, no matter their background and circumstances. Ages 4+.

 

Guess How Much I Love You 

This contemporary bunny tale, written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram, recounts a touching conversation between Little Nut Brown Hare and Big Nut Brown Hare as they think of all the ways to measure how much they love each other. Ages 2-6.

 

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

This funny and touching story is about a father-daughter Knuffle Bunny trip to the laundromat that goes hilariously, and horribly, awry. Kids ages 2-6 will enjoy this tale of a stuffed animal bunny; written and illustrated by Mo Willems, 2004.

What Easter or bunny books do you enjoy reading with your kids? Let us know!