MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook: Spring Stinks + The Smells of Spring Craft

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing a sweet new spring read featuring our favorite *grumpy* bear~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection: 

“Spring Stinks” by Ryan T. Higgins

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “Spring Stinks” to start on your own reading adventure! (This is an affiliate link~ 5% of your purchase will go to MaiStoryBook to help create Reading Resources for your littles)

Book Synopsis and Review

Our favorite Grumps is back in this charming spring read. Bruce the Bear is not too pleased with spring. In fact, according to him, *Spring Stinks.* However, his forest friends are bubbling with spring fever, breathing in the *smelly springtime smells* and roping in Bruce to join them in their Springtime Smell-a-thon. From *green-smelling* grass to *woodsy-smelling trees,* join Bruce and his friends on a nose-tingling springtime adventure through the woods.

This *little* Bruce Book is notable smaller and shorter than the original Bruce Bear series, yet it still exudes the same charm and delightful humor one would expect from this grumpy bear and his forest friends. Meant for younger readers, this little book is a fun way to introduce the season of spring to little learners. Spring is a time of new life~ when the plants are blossoming and awakening after a dormant winter. The air is full of new spring smells~ and little learners will be encouraged to explore the outdoors, turn up their noses, and breathe in the smells of spring for themselves. It’s also an excellent read to encourage descriptive language~ especially smilies: have little learners share and describe the scents of spring that they smell. Overall, this is a quick, fun read for giggles and springtime fun!

Vocabulary

  • Soggy (p. 1) wet and soft
  • Grumbles (p. 8) complain in a low voice
  • Daisies (p. 9) a flower with white petals and a yellow center
  • Rumbles (p. 9) a deep, low sound with your voice
  • Mumbles (p. 11) saying something not very clearly so it’s harder for other people to hear

Themes/ Main Ideas

  • Introduction to Spring Spring is full of new life and delightful scents floating through the air. Step outside, and take a deep breath of fresh air. What do you smell?
  • Nature Appreciation: Spend time outdoors and use your senses to appreciate the new life budding around you in nature~ new flowers, trees, leaves, animals, rain

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “Spring Stinks” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

Subscribe: MaiStoryBook Youtube Channel for additional read aloud videos!

*The Smells of Spring* Craft

Springtime means sunshine, pops of color from buds blossoming, the sweet scent of bright green grass, crisp air, and butterflies and bugs flitting through the air. I am looking forward to spring dresses and long skirts, sandals, and the eventual dip into the pool! This year, I am teaching a small pod of students in an outdoor learning environment, and they are adoring the change in seasons. Already they’ve been munching on sour-grass and befriending the snails and worms wiggling in the soil beside them as we eat lunch in the grass. They’re quick to stick their noses in the blossoming flowers, pulling-back with pollen powdered noses, are captivated by the humming birds zipping by, and will pause to listen to the various and chirps and cheeps ringing through the sky. I’m looking forward to going on a spring nature hunt with them~ and encouraging them to use their senses and descriptive language to record their observations of the world coming to life around them. If you and your little learners are also ready to explore enjoy the smelly springtime smells~ check out MaiStoryBook’s *The Smells of Spring* craft inspired by “Spring Stinks.” Enjoy a day outdoors, breathing in the smelly springtime smells!

Materials

Directions

  • Choose a Spring Bruce Template: Color version or Black and White Version to Color.
  • Print it Out.
  • If you choose the black and white version, use coloring utensils to color it in. 
  • Cut out the Spring Bruce Template
  • Next, choose a Front Basket Label Template  to use. There are color or black and white versions. 
  • There are different writing prompt choices on the Front Basket Template: “Spring Smells Like…” “The Smells of Spring” “_____’s Spring Smells” (for a personalized one)
  • Then, choose an “Inside Basket Template” 
  • In both the black & white and color sets, the following templates to answer the prompt are available: Sentence frames sharing smells of spring, Blank inside space, a space for a picture and lines for writing, or all lines for writing. 
  • Print the “front side” double sided with the “Inside template you chose, OR Print both pages separately and glue together back-to-back.
  • This will allow you to fold up the bottom flap so that you have a basket. When you fold the flap back down, the writing/drawing on the inside of the basket will be revealed.
  • Color in the Black and white version.
  • Cut out the basket around the outer edges. *Keep the bottom tab on**
  • Fill in the template by sharing the smells of spring. Use descriptive language and similes.
  • On the ”Inside Template” of the Basket, there is a small dotted line right under the lid. Make an incision on that small line. This is for when you fold up the bottom flap of the basket, the tab can slide into the incision and keep the basket closed. 
  • To reveal the inside, pull the tab out of the incision and reveal the writing/picture inside.
  • Glue the back of the basket to the Body of the Spring Bruce Template, so that the handle is right under his head.
  • Enjoy sharing the wonderful smells spring!

Enjoy Your *The Smells of Spring* Bruce Craft

  • Share your craft with friends and family to share your favorite smells of spring and to spread springtime cheer to welcome the new season
  • Share your craft with family and friends and ask them what their favorite smells of spring are
  • Take your craft outdoors with a friend or family member and try to find the smells and scents your recorded
  • Display the crafts to create an atmosphere of springtime and to remind you to enjoy the outdoors and wonders of nature

*~Overall, as always, I hope you all are staying safe and healthy, and are enjoying plenty of reading adventures! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTokor contact me via email to share your own *The Smells of Spring* Bruce Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you and learn more about your springtime adventures!~*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*