The 42 Best Picture Books to read in March for Kids

March is a month of changing seasons, exciting celebrations, and fresh new beginnings—making it the perfect time to refresh your child’s reading list! As winter fades and spring begins to bloom, there are so many wonderful books to explore. From springtime adventures and Daylight Saving Time to March Madness basketball fun and St. Patrick’s Day magic, these children’s books bring the month of March to life in fun and engaging ways.

Whether you’re looking for fun picture books about nature, March holidays, or fun Dr. Seuss books to celebrate his birthday, this list has the perfect book for every young reader. So, grab a cozy blanket, find a sunny reading spot, and dive into the best books to read in March!

Three children lying on grass reading and smiling outdoors.

Books About Spring

The first day of spring has arrived, and it is the perfect time to talk about how seasons change and all the wonderful changes that happen when winter turns to spring.

1. Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms – Julia Rawlinson

Fletcher the fox sees white flakes falling from the trees and worries that winter has returned! But his friends help him realize that it’s just spring blossoms. A beautiful story about the surprises of seasonal change.

2. And Then It’s Spring – Julie Fogliano

A young boy and his dog plant a garden after a long winter and patiently wait for signs of spring. This gentle, poetic book teaches kids about growth, patience, and the excitement of the changing seasons.

3. When Spring Comes – Kevin Henkes

This beautifully illustrated book describes how winter fades into spring, showing flowers blooming, animals returning, and the world bursting into color. Perfect for preschoolers!

4. Spring is Here – Will Hillenbrand

Mole is excited about spring, but his friend Bear is still sleeping! Mole tries everything to wake him up in this fun and humorous story about friendship and the arrival of spring.

5. The Tiny Seed – Eric Carle

This classic story follows a tiny seed’s journey through the seasons as it grows into a beautiful flower. A great way to introduce kids to plant life cycles and spring growth.

6. Abracadabra, It’s Spring! – Anne Sibley O’Brien

A magical, rhyming book that compares winter to spring using fun “poof!” and “shazam!” words as snow melts and flowers bloom. A fun read-aloud for young kids!

7. Spring Stinks – Ryan T. Higgins

Bruce the grumpy bear doesn’t like spring—he thinks it stinks! But his friend Ruth the bunny tries to convince him otherwise. A funny book with adorable illustrations.

8. Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring – Kenard Pak

A child walks through nature, greeting the signs of spring—melting snow, singing birds, and blooming flowers. A quiet, reflective book about seasonal change.

9. A Tree for All Seasons – Maryse Guittet

This interactive book features lift-the-flap pages showing a tree’s changes through spring, summer, fall, and winter. A great hands-on learning book for young readers.

10. A Year at Maple Hill Farm – Alice and Martin Provensen

This detailed, realistic book follows life on a farm through all four seasons, showing how animals and plants change throughout the year. Great for kids curious about seasonal life cycles!

Books About Daylight Savings

Daylight savings is the perfect opportunity to teach your kids all about telling time. Here is a list of books your kids will love and hopefully will help you get them excited about telling time.

1. Maisy’s First Clock – Lucy Cousins

This interactive book introduces young readers to the concept of telling time with Maisy the mouse. Each page follows Maisy through her daily routine—waking up, eating meals, playing, and going to bed—while allowing kids to move the hands on a built-in clock. With bright colors, simple text, and engaging hands-on learning, this book is perfect for helping little ones understand time, routines, and clocks in a fun way!

2. Daylight Saving Time for Kids! Why in the World Do We Turn Our Clocks Forward? – Brian Smith

When winter turns to spring, most people in America turn their clocks ahead one hour. Read this book to learn how this started and why.

3. It’s About Time! How to Tell Time – Stuart J. Murphy

While not exclusively about Daylight Saving Time, this book teaches kids how to read clocks, understand AM and PM, and grasp the concept of time changes—including a section on Daylight Saving Time.

4. Telling Time with Big Mama Cat – Dan Harper

In this charming picture book, Big Mama Cat takes young readers through a day in her life, teaching them how to tell time along the way. Each page features a different time on the clock, showing what Big Mama Cat is doing—whether it’s eating breakfast, taking a nap, or chasing a toy mouse. The book includes a clock with movable hands, allowing kids to practice setting the time themselves.

5. The Day my Clock Broke – Vix Browne

Help your children learn the concept of time, as they read about the adventures of a boy who learns time management after his clock breaks. This book helps them understand real-life time management in a fun and engaging way.

Books to Celebrate March Madness

We can’t leave out one very exciting March event….March Madness. Do you have a basketball player or basketball loving fan in your home? Then they are going to love this list of books.

1. Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women’s Hoops on the Map – Sue Macy

This heartwarming story tells the true story of the first women’s college basketball game in 1896. It’s a great pick for Women’s History Month and for young basketball fans who want to learn about the historical events of the sport.

2. The Crossover – Kwame Alexander

This Newbery Medal-winning novel-in-verse follows twin brothers Josh and Jordan Bell as they navigate middle school, family challenges, and their love for basketball. The poetic style makes it a unique and engaging read. (Chapter Book – Best for ages 10-13)

3. Dino-Basketball – Lisa Wheeler

A fun and energetic story where dinosaurs compete in a high-stakes basketball championship. The rhyming text and action-packed illustrations make it a great read-aloud for younger basketball fans.

4. Swish: The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters – Suzanne Slade

This nonfiction book tells the exciting history of the Harlem Globetrotters and how they changed basketball. It’s a great mix of history and sports action.

5. The Most Epic Basketball Stories for Kids – W. Bo Cricklewood

This book features real life stories of basketball legends and inspires kids to work hard and never give up on themselves. They will learn valuable lessons of teamwork, determination, hard work, and perseverance. (Chapter Book – Best for ages 8-12)

6. Rookie Baller – Stephanie Rudnick

This is a great story about Rookie Baller who learns after bouncing a ball off of his foot during a game that mistakes happen but with hard work and determination you can learn from your mistakes and achieve your goals.

7. You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! – Jonah Winter

While this book is about baseball, it’s written in a fast-paced sports storytelling style that fans of March Madness will enjoy. It teaches kids about perseverance and overcoming challenges.

8. Cam Jansen and the Basketball Mystery – David A. Adler

In this fun mystery, Cam Jansen and her friends try to solve a case involving stolen basketball tickets. Perfect for young readers who love both sports and detective stories.

9. Dream Big: Michael Jordan and the Power of Perseverance – Deloris Jordan

Written by Michael Jordan’s mother, this inspiring book shares how young Michael overcame obstacles and worked hard to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

10. Stephen Curry: The Children’s Book – Anthony Curcio

A kid-friendly biography of NBA superstar Stephen Curry, highlighting his dedication, faith, and journey from a young player to a basketball legend.

Books by Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss books are full of rhymes, imagination, and fun lessons! Here are some of his most beloved books, along with activities to celebrate his birthday on March 2nd.

1. The Cat in the Hat

A mischievous cat arrives at Sally and her brother’s house while their mom is away. With his crazy tricks and Thing 1 & Thing 2, he turns the house upside down before cleaning up just in time.

Activity:

Thing 1 & Thing 2 Relay Race – Have kids wear blue wigs (or make one from tissue paper) and race while doing silly “chaotic” moves!

Make a Hat – Cut and decorate a red-and-white striped hat like the Cat’s.

2. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

This fun rhyming book introduces a variety of silly creatures while playing with numbers and colors.

Activity:

Fishing for Colors Game – Cut out fish shapes in different colors. Write a number or word on each. Let kids “fish” using a magnet rod and read the word or number aloud!

Fingerpaint Fish – Let kids paint colorful fish using their fingers.

3. Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

This inspiring book encourages kids to dream big and embrace life’s ups and downs as they journey through life.

Activity:

Dream Big Writing Prompt – Have kids write or draw where they want to go when they grow up.

Photo Booth Fun – Create a backdrop with a hot air balloon and have kids pose with travel-themed props!

4. Green Eggs and Ham

Sam-I-Am tries to convince a stubborn friend to try green eggs and ham—and in the end, he loves it!

Activity:

Make Green Eggs & Ham – Use food coloring or spinach in scrambled eggs for a fun treat!

Act It Out – Have kids role-play as Sam-I-Am and his friend, convincing each other to try new foods.

5. Horton Hears a Who!

Horton the elephant discovers a tiny world on a speck of dust and works hard to protect it, teaching the lesson: “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Activity:

Make a Horton Craft – Use gray paper plates to make elephant ears and attach them to a headband.

Quiet & Loud Game – Whisper “We are here!” and then get louder together, just like the Whos!

6. The Lorax

A powerful story about saving the environment, as the Lorax speaks for the trees against greedy industrialization.

Activity:

Plant a Seed – Teach kids about conservation by planting flowers or trees.

Truffula Trees Craft – Make Truffula Trees using pipe cleaners and colorful tissue paper.

7. There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!

A rhyming book about silly creatures living in everyday places—a Zamp in a lamp or a Woset in the closet!

Activity:

Make Your Own Rhyming Creature – Have kids make up their own fun characters and where they live (e.g., a Flug in a rug!).

Rhyming Word Hunt – Search for objects at home or in class and make up rhymes for them!

Fun Ways to Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday!

Dress Up as a Dr. Seuss Character – Kids can wear red-and-white hats, elephant ears, or Truffula Trees outfits.
Seuss-Themed Face Painting – Paint whiskers like the Cat in the Hat or a blue face like Thing 1 & Thing 2.
Read-a-thon – Set a reading goal and read as many Seuss books as possible!
Seuss Party Snacks – Make green eggs and ham, Truffula tree cupcakes, or Cat in the Hat fruit stacks (strawberries & bananas stacked like his hat!)
Seuss Silly Rhyme Contest – Have kids make up their own Seuss-style rhymes and share them!
Birthday Card – Make Dr. Seuss a birthday card. Make sure the message inside rhymes!

St. Patrick’s Day Books

A list of march picture books wouldn’t be complete without a comprehensive list of St. Patrick’s Day books.

1. How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace

This fun rhyming book follows a group of kids as they set a clever leprechaun trap to try and catch a mischievous leprechaun. A humorous and engaging story that encourages creativity.

2. The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing

Inspired by “The Night Before Christmas,” this story follows siblings Tim and Maureen as they try to catch a leprechaun, only to realize he’s trickier than they expected!

3. Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola

A classic Irish folktale about a lazy man, a magical leprechaun, and a giant potato that teaches an amusing lesson about hard work.

4. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover! by Lucille Colandro

A silly, cumulative rhyming story where the Old Lady swallows various St. Patrick’s Day-related items, leading to a festive surprise at the end.

5. The Leprechaun in the Basement by Kathy Tucker

Michael and his mother are struggling financially, but when he discovers a leprechaun living in their basement, he learns that true riches aren’t just about gold.

6. Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman

A beautifully illustrated Irish folktale where a clever girl named Fiona must outwit the Leprechaun King to restore luck to Ireland.

7. Leprechaun Luck by Erin Gobragh

A fun early reader chapter book about the main character named Patrick who gets help from a leprechaun to improve his luck—if only he can follow the rules!

8. Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola

A well-researched, book with beautiful illustrations that tells the story of Saint Patrick’s life and legends. A great mix of history and storytelling.

9. O’Sullivan Stew by Hudson Talbott

A brave girl named Kate O’Sullivan saves her town from an angry witch by spinning a wild and entertaining story, proving that cleverness can be more powerful than magic.