Lets investigate! 

Do you notice the light, weather, and temperature change throughout the year? Well that is because of seasons. Throughout the book, we will explore what makes Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter so different.

The first season we will be exploring is Spring. 

In the Northern Hemisphere, Spring typically starts in March and ends in June. This year, in 2021, spring began on Saturday, March 20th, also called the vernal equinox, and ends on Sunday, June 20th. This season is between winter and summer. 

In Spring, the temperature starts to rise again after a cold winter and the snow melts. Spring is a season of growth for many plants.

In early spring, the Earth is increasing its tilt towards the sun, increasing the temperature and length of daylight. The sun is aimed directly at the Equator.

In the spring, many plants defrost and grow their leaves or flowers again. This is also the season where many animals come out of hibernation.

The season that comes after Spring is Summer. 

In the Northern Hemisphere, summer lasts from June to September. This year, summer starts at the summer solstice, on Sunday, June 21st, and ends on Wednesday, September 22nd.  

In summer, the Earth is tilted so that the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, putting the Northern Hemisphere in a direct path of the sun's energy.

This season is the warmest season of them all. The temperature usually stays warm after the sun goes down. In some places, there is a lot of rain, where in others it is the dryest season. 

Summer is the season of the greatest plant growth. There is more growth in this season due to there being more sun!

Right after Summer comes the season called Fall. It is also sometimes called Autumn!

In the Northern Hemisphere, fall or autumn begins in September and runs until December. It begins on autumnal equinox, which falls on Thursday, September 23rd and ends on Monday, December 20th. 

In fall, the Earth is tilted so that the Sun is directly over the Equator once again. The Earth is increasing its tilt away from the sun, decreasing the temperature and length of daylight in the days.

The weather in autumn gets colder and becomes windy and rainy. With temperatures changing, animals begin to prepare for winter by gathering and storing up food for hibernation.

Also in autumn, farmers harvest their crops and the leaves on trees begin to change color and fall off. In many countries, autumn is the beginning of a new school year.

Starting Tuesday December 21st, 2021 until Sunday March 20th, 2022, winter will be taking place. This is when the days are the shortest throughout the year.