It's been a long winter and I'm eagerly looking forward to spring. Our fruit trees have begun to bloom, there are yellow dandelions in the sheltered corners of the yard, and the feed store has chicks in metal stock tanks with heat lamps casting a red glow on the tiny babies. The tanks are always surrounded by children watching the chicks.

Chicks are a sure sign that spring is here - or that it will be soon. When I saw the cover design of Lisa Steele's new book for children, Let's Hatch Chicks!: Explore the Wonderful World of Chickens and Eggs, I immediately thought "spring!" The yellow and blue cover reminds me of warm sunshine and blue sky, plus there are cute chicks.

Let's Hatch Chicks! is written for children ages 7-10, in kindergarten to third grade. I think its appeal goes well beyond the recommended ages in both directions. The story is simple and easy for a young child to follow: Violet, a lavender Orpington hen, is ready to become a mother and hatch eggs.

The book also explains how chicks develop inside the eggs day by day, and will hold the interest of older children and adults as well. The illustrations are charming and will enchant all ages.

Woven throughout Violet's story of laying eggs, keeping them warm and hatching her chicks are suggestions for caring for a broody hen, plus some fun chick facts.