100 Spectacular Winter Picture Books Your Child Will Adore
Who doesn’t love to cozy up on the sofa with a good picture book to read during the winter?
And snuggling under a fuzzy blanket makes a cozy reading moment even more precious. So grab your hot cocoa, some fuzzy blankets, and your babies because I’ve got a list of 100 winter-themed picture books for you to read.
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Winter Picture Books About the Snow
These fantastic winter picture books are perfect to read on a snowy day.
Snow
Uri Shulevitz
From Amazon: “No one thinks one or two snowflakes will amount to anything. Not the man with the hat or the lady with the umbrella. Not even the television or the radio forecasters. But one boy and his dog have faith that the snow will amount to something spectacular, and when flakes start to swirl down on the city, they are also the only ones who know how to truly enjoy it.”
Big Snow
Jonathan Bean
From Amazon: “While “helping” his mother with holiday housecleaning, a boy keeps a watchful eye on the progress of a winter storm. He’s hoping for a big snow. A really big snow. Inside, he is underfoot, turning sheet-changing and tub-scrubbing into imaginary whiteouts. Outside, flakes are flying. But over the course of a long day (for Mom) the clouds seem slow on delivering a serious snowfall. Then comes a dreamy naptime adventure, marking just the beginning of high hopes coming true in this irresistible seasonal story.”
White Snow, Bright Snow
Alvin Tresselt
From Amazon: “When the first flakes fell from the grey sky, the postman and the farmer and the policeman and his wife scurried about doing all the practical things grown-ups do when a snowstorm comes. But the children laughed and danced, and caught the lacy snowflakes on their tongues.
All the wonder and delight a child feels in a snowfall is caught in the pages of this book—the frost ferns on the windowsill, the snowman in the yard and the mystery and magic of a new white world.”
Snow
Cynthia Rylant
From Amazon: “Cynthia Rylant’s lyrical descriptions of the sights and feelings evoked by falling snow blend gorgeously with the rich and beautiful world created by Lauren Stringer’s illustrations, in which a young girl, her friend, and her grandmother enjoy the many things a snowy day has to offer.”
Toot & Puddle: Let it Snow
Holly Hobbie
From Amazon: “How do you find the best Christmas present ever for your best friend in the whole wide world? That’s what Toot is trying to find out, and Puddle is having just as much trouble. With a nod to previous books in the bestselling Toot & Puddle series, Holly Hobbie shows readers that the best kind of present for the best kind of friend is one that shows just how much you care.”
Stella: Queen of the Snow
Marie-Louise Gay
From Amazon: “Stella and her little brother, Sam, are spending the day playing in the snow. The forest, snowballs, snow angels and the mysterious white stuff itself provide fuel for Sam’s questions and Stella’s answers as they discover the world of winter together.”
The Snowy Day
Ezra Jack Keats
From Amazon: “Universal in its appeal, this story beautifully depicts a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The quiet fun and sweetness of Peter’s small adventures in the deep, deep snow is perfect for reading together on a cozy winter day.”
Katy and the Big Snow
Virginia Lee Burton
Katy, a brave and untiring tractor, who pushes a bulldozer in the summer and a snowplow in the winter, makes it possible for the townspeople to do their jobs.
Snow by P. D. Eastman
Roy McKie
From Amazon: “Brrrrr—it snowed! From snowball fights and skiing to fort building and snowman-making, P. D. Eastman and Roy McKie’s Snow will have young readers eager for the kind of fun only a wintry-white day can bring.”
Snowy Day
Anna Milbourne
Using simple text and illustrations, the sweet book describes how snow is formed and the different uses of snow.
Tracks in the Snow
Wong Herbert Yee
From Amazon: “A little girl follows tracks outside her window after a fresh snowfall, only to realize that the tracks in the snow are her own from the day before―and that they lead her home. This diminutive and sweet picture book is as cozy as a cup of hot chocolate.”
There was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow
Lucille Colandro
There was a cold lady who swallowed some snow.I don’t know why she swallowed some snow. Perhaps you know. This time, the old lady is swallowing everything from snow to a pipe, some coal, a hat, and more! With rollicking, rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page. And this time, there’s a surprise at the end no reader will be able to guess!
Snowflakes: 5th Anniversary Edition: A Pop-Up Book
Jennifer Preston Chushcoff
A fun pop-up snowflake adventure that your kids will enjoy.
Winter Picture Books about Snowmen
Snowmen at Night
Caralyn Buehner
From Amazon: “Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you’ve wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all! Caralyn Buehner’s witty, imaginative verse offers many amusing details about the secret life of snowmen and where they go at night, while Mark Buehner’s roly-poly snowmen are bursting with personality and charm.”
Snowballs
Lois Ehlert
From Amazon: “Ehlert creates a wintry world with her signature style by collaging vibrant cut paper and textured found objects, like buttons, fabric, and seeds, to illuminate the most wonderful time of the year. Readers young and old will marvel at the innovation in this dazzling snow-filled tale and just might feel inspired to build their own unique snow creations.”
Snowmen All Year
Caralyn Buehner
In this lighthearted, funny follow-up to the previous Snowmen bestsellers, our young narrator dreams of a non-melting snowman friend who joins him for all of the year’s events. They ride a roller coaster together, dive into a swimming pool in the summer, watch the Fourth of July fireworks, and trick-or-treat on Halloween.
The Magic of Friendship Snow
Andi Cann
From Amazon: “Jojo looks around and everyone seems to have friends but her. She feels sad and lonely. Then, Jojo meets Puddles, the snowman made with magic friendship snow.
For every child who struggles to make friends and parents who try to show them how, this children’s book celebrates the special bond between friends.”
All You Need for a Snowman
Alice Schertle
From Amazon: “One small snowflake fluttering down—
That’s all you need for a snowman.
Or is it? In these pages, an exuberant crew is summoned to create a snowman of heroic proportions. Starting with the very first flake, Alice Schertle’s clever and energetic rhyming text details the steps these little sculptors take to create a chilly chum. Barbara Lavallee’s bold and lively illustrations overflow with brisk winter energy.”
The First Day of Winter
Denise Fleming
From Amazon: “Alive with swirling snow and lots of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend. This cumulative tale will have children chanting along as they discover all the trimmings needed for the most perfect snowman ever!”
The Biggest, Best Snowman
Margery Cuyler
Thinking she is too small to do anything in her family of big people, little Nell gets the help of her friends Reindeer, Hare, and Bear Cub in building an enormous snowman.
Frosty the Snowman
Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson
From Amazon: “A new format and classic TV art for a best-selling Christmas board book. When Frosty the Snowman was introduced in 1950 in a recording by Gene Autry, it became an instant hit. Since then, its popularity has increased every year, making Frosty one of the most recognized and beloved characters ever created. This updated edition recounts the beloved tale of Frosty — how he was brought to life one magical day and the adventures he had with the children of the town. Based on the iconic TV special, this delightfully illustrated board book will practically leap off of the shelves.”
Snowzilla
Janet Lawler
From Amazon: ““It snowed without stopping for week after week. When it ended at last, Cami Lou took a peek. She bundled and booted and zipped up her brother. Let’s build a huge snowman unlike any other!” Cami Lou and her brother build the biggest, hugest, most mammoth snowman the world has ever seen. It’s Snowzilla! The snowman becomes an instant sensation, and tourists pour into the small town. But not everyone is impressed. Some say the giant snowman brings giant problems. Then a judge rules that Snowzilla must come down. Can Cami Lou and her brother save Snowzilla? “
Making a Friend
Alison McGhee
Beaver is good at making just about everything…but not friends. One winter day, Beaver sees some snowflakes in the sky and gets a great idea: he’ll make a friend. Yes! A snowman will be a great friend!
Raccoon passes by as Beaver sets to work and offers a helping hand. The two work side by side to give their snowman everything a friend needs.
But when the snowman proves to be a little cold, Beaver discovers that he may have unknowingly “made” another buddy instead.
Sneezy the Snowman
Maureen Wright.
From Amazon: “B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”. Hilarity chills the air with playful mixed-media illustrations by Stephen Gilpin as Sneezy attempts to warm himself with some silly results.”
Winter Picture Books that are also Poetry
A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day
Andrea Davis Pinkney
The story of The Snowy Day begins more than one hundred years ago, when Ezra Jack Keats was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. The family were struggling Polish immigrants, and despite Keats’s obvious talent, his father worried that Ezra’s dream of being an artist was an unrealistic one. But Ezra was determined. By high school he was winning prizes and scholarships. Later, jobs followed with the WPA and Marvel comics. But it was many years before Keats’s greatest dream was realized and he had the opportunity to write and illustrate his own book.
For more than two decades, Ezra had kept pinned to his wall a series of photographs of an adorable African American child. In Keats’s hands, the boy morphed into Peter, a boy in a red snowsuit, out enjoying the pristine snow; the book became The Snowy Day, winner of the Caldecott Medal, the first mainstream book to feature an African American child. It was also the first of many books featuring Peter and the children of his — and Keats’s — neighborhood.
Andrea Davis Pinkney’s lyrical narrative tells the inspiring story of a boy who pursued a dream, and who, in turn, inspired generations of other dreamers.
Winter Bees
Joyce Sidman
From Amazon: ” In this outstanding picture book collection of poems by Newbery Honor-winning poet, Joyce Sidman (Song of the Water Boatman, Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night), discover how animals stay alive in the wintertime and learn about their secret lives happening under the snow. Paired with stunning linoleum print illustrations by Rick Allen, that celebrate nature’s beauty and power.”
Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic
Steven Schnur
A vibrant alphabet book, filled with linoleum-cut illustrations, contains twenty-six acrostic poems that capture the many joys and wonders of winter, from sledding downhill on newly fallen snow to animals nestled deep in underground burrows.
Winter Eyes
Douglas Florian
From Amazon: “Snowballs, ice skating,sledding! Frozen toes, icy slush,runny nose. Well, winter’s not all fun and games. But well-loved, best-selling poet Douglas Florian will melt your doubts about Mother Nature’s chilly grip with twenty-eight winter-inspired poems accompanied by his crisp, trademark watercolor illustrations.”
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Robert Frost and Susan Jeffers
From Amazon: “Ever since it was published in 1978, the picture-book presentation of Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” has been an enduring favorite. For this special edition with a new design, trim size, and three new spreads, Susan Jeffers has added more detail and subtle color to her sweeping backgrounds of frosty New England scenes. There are more animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his “promises to keep” exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter. “
Iguanas in the Snow: And Other Winter Poems
Francisco X. Alarcon
From Amazon: “In the final installment in the series, Francisco X. Alarcón shows children a city where people are bridges to each other and children sing poetry in two languages. A family frolic in the snow reminds the poet of the iguanas playing by his grandmother’s house in Mexico. Readers are dazzled by the promise of the seedling redwoods — like all children — destined to be the ancestors of tomorrow.”
It’s Snowing! It’s Snowing!: Winter Poems (I can read level 3)
Jack Prelutsky
It’s winter! The trees are bare, the days are short, and the first sparkling snowflakes are falling from the sky. Lively, warmth-filled illustrations by Yossi Abolafia enhance these sixteen delightful poems.
Snow. Snow: Winter Poems for Children
Jane Yolen
From Amazon: “Jane Yolen’s wintry, shivery poems are inspired by the stunning photographs of Jason Stemple, who has captured the imagesof snow in all its breathtaking beauty. After children enjoy these poems and pictures, they will look at snow in a different way –with their imaginations as well as your eyes.”
Winter Poems
Barbara Rogasky
From Amazon: “The illustrations of a Caldecott Medalist are combined with a seasonal selection of poems by twenty-five celebrated writers including William Shakespeare, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Robert Frost, Richard Wright, and Edgar Allen Poe. BOMC.”
Winter Picture Books About Animals
Animals in Winter
Henrietta Bancroft
From Amazon: “Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can’t survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate. Woodchucks don’t like cold weather either, but they don’t migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the cold and snow of winter?”
Owl Moon
Jane Yolen
From Amazon: “Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.
But there is no answer.
Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don’t need words. You don’t need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn’t an owl, but sometimes there is.”
Over and Under the Snow
Kate Messner
From Amazon: “Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.”
When It Starts to Snow
Phillis Gershator
From Amazon: “What if it starts
to snow?
What do you do?
Where do you go?
What if it starts to snow. What do you do? Where do you go?” So begins this winter story, as each animal–from a mouse to a bear–tells us what it will do and where it will go when the snow starts to fall. Each takes cover in its own special home, except for one. Can you guess who?”
Stranger in the Woods
Carl R. Sams
From Amazon: “Forest animals, awakened by the birds’ warning that there is a stranger in the woods, set out to discover if there is danger and find, instead, a wonderful surprise.”
Time to Sleep
Denise Fleming
From Amazon: “
“Bear sniffed once.
She sniffed twice.
‘I smell winter in the air. . . .'”
A chill is in the air and Bear knows it is time for her winter nap. But first, she must tell Snail. And Snail must tell Skunk. And Skunk must tell Turtle. Each animal who tries to put off going to sleep just a little longer sees, smells, hears, or tastes the signs of the impending season. Finally, Ladybug rushes off to tell Bear–already asleep in her cave–the exciting news.”
Hibernation Station
Michelle Meadows
From Amazon: “Everybody at the station! It’s time for winter hibernation! The sweet rhyming text of this book will calm even the most rambunctious kids and have them dreaming about what it’s like to hibernate. Young readers will be soothed and delighted as this story introduces them to different types of hibernating animals. The creatures on the train are preparing to snuggle into sleep, although with a passenger list that includes chipmunks, bears, snakes, hedgehogs, groundhogs, frogs, turtles, mice, bats, and more, there’s a lot of noise! Will the hibernating critters ever get to sleep? Take a trip to Hibernation Station to find out!”
The Snowy Nap
Jan Brett
From Amazon: “A chill is in the air, and as Hedgie trundles around the farm all his friends tell him of the winter-time fun he will miss as he hibernates: Icicles decorating the chicken coop! Lisa making snowmen! The pond turned to slippery ice!”
Robin’s Winter Song
Suzanne Barton
From Amazon: “The forest was bustling with activity. As the red and orange leaves swirled in the wind, Robin started to worry. Something was changing. Finch was flying south, because Winter was coming. Squirrel was burying food, because Winter was coming. Even Owl was making his nest warm. Why? That’s right – because Winter was coming. Robin decided he didn’t like the sound of Winter one little bit. But that was before the snow …A beautifully tender story of a little robin’s first winter from the enormously talented creator of The Dawn Chorus.”
When Winter Comes
Pearl Neuman
From Amazon: “Where oh where do the leaves all go when winter comes and the cold winds blow?
What happens to fish, flowers, field mice, and other living things when ponds freeze and the air turns blustery? Walk with a curious child and his parents as winter’s first snow falls and find out….”
Winter Picture Books About Penguins
Little Penguins
Cynthia Rylant
From Amazon: “Snowflakes? Many snowflakes. Winter is coming. So begins this ever-so-simple story. As the snow starts to fall, the excited penguins pull out scarves, mittens, heavy socks, and boots, and Mama helps them bundle up. But when it’s time to go out, one timid penguin decides to stay home. Filled with waddling baby penguins, playful text, and delightful illustrations, this book feels like a young picture-book classic in the making.”
Tacky the Penguin
Helen Lester
From Amazon: “Tacky the Penguin is a delightful tale about being true to yourself—even when it means being a little different from everybody else.
Tacky likes to do splashy cannonballs and greet his friends with a loud, “What’s happening?” His fellow penguins find his odd behavior somewhat bothersome.
But when fearsome poachers come to the iceberg hunting for penguins, Tacky’s odd ways may be just the thing that saves the day.”
A Penguin Story
Antoinette Portis
From Amazon: “Edna the penguin only knows the three colors that surround her: white ice, black night, and blue sea. She is convinced there is something more out there. So she sets out on a quest—a quest for color. When she finally finds what she’s been looking for, it’s everything she hoped for and more. But that doesn’t mean she will ever stop looking.”
Little Penguin: The Emperor of Antarctica
Jonathan London
From Amazon: “From the time the little penguin crawls out of his cracked egg, cradled on his father’s feet, until the day when he goes off to live at sea alone, he is a majestic figure in an extraordinary setting―the emperor of Antarctica. He faces natural predators and the struggles of survival in a challenging climate. Then one day, he cradles his own little penguin on his feet.”
Penguin Chick
Betty Tatham
From Amazon: “An emperor penguin lays an egg on the Antarctic ice. In the bitter cold, miles away from the only source of food, how can the chick survive? A father penguin keeps his mate’s egg warm by balancing it on his feet for two entire months. Learn how penguin parents take care of their babies in one of Earth’s coldest, most desolate environments.”
My Penguin Osbert
Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
From Amazon: “This year, I was very specific in my letter to Santa Claus.
Each year at Christmas, Joe writes a letter to Santa. But they’ve had a few misunderstandings in the past. Last year, for example, Joe wanted a fire-engine-red racecar with retracting headlights, and he did get one — but it was only three inches long. So this year Joe is really, really careful. He describes exactly what he wants — and on Christmas morning, guess what’s waiting for him under the tree! Santa has brought him a living, breathing, black-and-white penguin named Osbert. Will anything in Joe’s life ever be the same?”
Busy Penguins
John Schindel (board book)
From Amazon: “These busy penguins are dashing, splashing, jumping, bumping, and going about their busy penguin lives. Young children will love to imitate the many actions the penguins are doing, while the vivid, full-color photographs will keep them engaged time after time. Join in the fun!”
Blue Penguin
Petr Horacek
From Amazon: “Far away, near the South Pole, a blue penguin is born. It is not something you see every day. “I feel like a penguin,” says Blue Penguin. “But you’re not like us,” the others tell him. Blue Penguin can’t jump or dive very well, so the others wander off and leave him behind. In his loneliness, Blue Penguin begins to dream, and he starts to sing. Will he ever convince the other penguins that he is one of them?”
Penguin and Pinecone
Salina Yoon
From Amazon: “When curious little Penguin finds a lost pinecone in the snow, their friendship grows into something extraordinary! But Grandpa reminds Penguin that pinecones can’t live in the snow–they belong in the warm forest far away. Can Penguin help Pinecone get home? And can they stay friends, even if they’re miles apart?”
365 Penguins
Jean-Luc Fromenta
From Amazon: “The family in 365 Penguins finds a penguin mysteriously delivered to their door every day for a year. At first they’re cute, but with every passing day, the penguins pile up—along with the family’s problems. Feeding, cleaning, and housing the penguins becomes a monumental task. They’re noisy and smelly, and they always hog the bathroom! And who on earth is sending these kwak-ing critters?”
Winter Picture Books: Non-Fiction
Winter Wonderland
Jill Esbaum
From Amazon: “Each year, as days grow shorter and trees become bare, the world outside seems to slow and darken. But for children, this time of year is magical. The frosty air crackles with play and laughter. There’s a sense of excitement as snow and cold weather make for outdoor adventures that aren’t possible any other time of year. This charming picture book, the latest in National Geographic’s popular Picture the Seasons series, is a vibrant celebration of winter traditions. Winter means family, as loved ones travel many miles to visit. Holiday events bring a spark of warmth and togetherness that seems to happen only in winter. Twinkling lights and colorful displays bring cheer and goodwill. Glowing candles invite visitors to share a festive meal. Frosty weather outside draws lacy patterns on the windowpanes.”
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder
Mark Cassino
From Amazon: “How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included for aspiring young snow scientists!”
Curious about Snow
Gina Shaw
From Amazon: “When does it snow? Why is snow white? How do we know no two snowflakes are alike? (Hint: the proof is in the photographs, first made in the 1890s!) With full-color photographs and the Smithsonian’s famous Wilson Bentley snowflake photos, this new Curious About title looks at the science behind snow, and the history of record-setting blizzards and snowstorms—plus how people have fun in the snow!”
Snowflake Bentley
Jacqueline Briggs Martin
From Amazon: “Wilson Bentley was always fascinated by snow. In childhood and adulthood, he saw each tiny crystal of a snowflake as a little miracle and wanted to understand them.
His parents supported his curiosity and saved until they could give him his own camera and microscope. At the time, his enthusiasm was misunderstood. But with patience and determination, Wilson catalogued hundreds of snowflake photographs, gave slideshows of his findings and, when he was 66, published a book of his photos. His work became the basis for all we know about beautiful, unique snowflakes today.”
Snowflake: Winter’s Frozen Artistry
Kenneth Libbrecht and Rachel Wing
From Amazon: “The snow may seem unvaried to the naked eye, but the microscope reveals an amazing menagerie of beautiful crystalline forms. Building on the pioneering work of Wilson Bentley (1865-1931), Libbrecht has developed techniques for capturing images of snow crystals in unprecedented detail.”
Migration
Robin Nelson
From Amazon: “What does it mean to migrate? Discover which animals migrate and why they migrate through detailed photographs and simple text.”
Winter (First Step Non-Fiction)
Tanya Thayer
From Amazon: “Taking a brief look at each of the four seasons, this delightful series introduces beginning readers to the basic idea of seasons and how animals, plants, and people adapt to them. Crisp, close-up photography teams with easy-to-understand, repetitive sentences that encourage new readers to discover the world–one season at a time.”
Snow is Falling (Let’s Read and Find Out Science)
Dr. Franklyn M. Branley
From Amazon: “Snow is wonderful—for sledding, for skiing, and for building snowmen. But did you know that snow can actually keep things warm? Find out how snow helps plants, animals, and people to survive. But when a blizzard blows, watch out! The snow that is so useful can be dangerous too.
Franklyn M. Branley and Holly Keller team up for a fun and colorful exploration of the world of snow, including experiments and activities for cold winter days.”
It’s Snowing
Gail Gibbons
From Amazon: “Small, soft flakes fall quietly from above. It’s snowing! People like to sled and ski in it, but what exactly is snow? How does it form? While it is believed that no two snowflakes look exactly alike, most have either six sides or six points. included in this crystal clear introduction to one of winter’s wonders is information about different types of snowstorms, regions where snow falls, and how to prepare when a snowstorm approaches.”
Winter Picture Books about Christmas
Night Tree
Eve Bunting
From Amazon: “By moonlight in the quiet forest, a young boy and his family decorate their favorite tree with popcorn, apples, tangerines, and sunflower-seed balls as a gift for the animals of the woods.”
The Little Fir Tree
Margaret Wise Brown
From Amazon: “Once there was a tree that stood in a field away from the other trees. It longed to be part of the forest—or part of anything at all. After many lonely years, its dream came true. And the little fir tree’s life changed forever!
They put golden tinsel on his branches
And golden bells
And green icicles
And silver stars.
And soon—o shining wonder—the little fir tree was . . .
A Christmas tree
Celebrate the true spirit of Christmas with heartwarming text by the author of Goodnight Moon and exquisite, glowing paintings by award-winning artist Jim LaMarche.”
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Susan Wojciechowski
Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle.
Christmas Day in the Morning
Pearl S. Buck
From Amazon: “Rob wants to get his father something special for Christmas this year—something that shows how much he really loves him. But it’s Christmas Eve, and he doesn’t have much money to spend. What could he possibly get? Suddenly, Rob thinks of the best gift of all…”
Christmas Farm
Mary Lyn Ray
From Amazon: “When Wilma decides her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings, and Parker, her five-year-old neighbor. Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become fine, full Christmas trees. A cozy, holiday read-aloud and a lyrical way to usher in the month of December.”
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
Karma Wilson
From Amazon: “Bear’s friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up—by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents of all!”
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story
Gloria Houston
From Amazon: “This unforgettable tale, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Barbara Cooney, has become a seasonal classic-a touching and joyful story about courage and the power of family.”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dr. Suess
From Amazon: “Originally published in 1957 using just 2 different colored inks (red and black), this new, jacketed edition features Dr. Seuss’s original illustrations in full color for the very first time—the way he’d have likely colored them had he published the book today!”
Red and Lulu
Matt Tavares
From Amazon: “Red and Lulu make their nest in a particularly beautiful evergreen tree. It shades them in the hot months and keeps them cozy in the cold months, and once a year the people who live nearby string lights on their tree and sing a special song: O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree. But one day, something unthinkable happens, and Red and Lulu are separated. It will take a miracle for them to find each other again. Luckily, it’s just the season for miracles.”
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Alison Jay
From Amazon: “Alison Jay’s signature crackle-glaze technique makes this illustrated version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” luminous and magical: animals dart across the pages, ladies dance, lords leap, and wintery landscapes sparkle against warm, cozy scenes. With hidden surprises on every page, this is a book for the whole family to treasure and sing along to!-year after year.”
The Little Reindeer
Nicola Killen
From Amazon: “When a jingling sound wakes her from her sleep, a little girl’s dreams come true when she meets a lost reindeer in the forest. They set off on a magical adventure and it becomes a Christmas never to forget. Nicola Killen’s evocative illustrations are sure to enchant in this beautiful book with die cut pages, foil, and flashes of festive red.”
Pick a Pine Tree
Patricia Toht
From Amazon: “Part of the magic of the Christmas season stems from the traditions that families and friends take part in every year: hanging up stockings; putting lights in the windows; and, one of the most important of all, picking out and taking home the Christmas tree. With style and warmth, debut author Patricia Toht and Jarvis, the author-illustrator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, evoke all the rituals of decorating the tree — digging out boxes jam-packed with ornaments and tree trimmings, stringing tinsel, and, at long last, turning on those twinkling lights.”
Arctic Christmas: A Very Cool Pop-Up Book
Janet Lawler
From Amazon: “Arctic animal friends are joined by some special visitors from the South Pole for a very cool Christmas celebration. Seven spreads featuring charming illustrations, pop-ups and interactive elements by the award-winning creative team make this a book to be enjoyed by all ages – again and again!”
Winter Picture Books about the Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice
Ellen Jackson
From Amazon: “The winter solstice―the shortest day of the year―marks the beginning of the coldest, darkest season. Discover the scientific reasons for this phenomenon and learn how cultures past and present have celebrated it.”
The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice
Wendy Pfeffer
From Amazon: “The beginning of winter is marked by the solstice, the shortest day of the year. Long ago, people grew afraid when each day had fewer hours of sunshine than the day before. Over time, they realized that one day each year the sun started moving toward them again. In lyrical prose and cozy illustrations, this book explains what the winter solstice is and how it has been observed by various cultures throughout history.”
The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice
Carolyn McVickar Edwards
From Amazon: “Storyteller Carolyn McVickar Edwards retells twelve traditional tales-from North America, China, Scandinavia, India, Africa, South America, Europe, and Polynesia-that honor this magical moment. These are stories that will renew our wonder of the miracle of rebirth and the power of transition from darkness into light.”
Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth
Dorothy Morrison
From Amazon: “There’s just something magical about the Yuletide season, no matter where you live or who you are. As bright candlelight mingles with the smells of pine and warm cookies and we perform our yearly rituals of song and family gatherings, the spirit of peace and goodwill seems to reach the heart of even the most cynical Scrooge.”
A Solstice Tree for Jenny
Karen Shragg
From Amazon: “It’s Christmas time all across America and Jenny is feeling left out. Her secular parents, born to different faiths that they no longer observe, don’t believe in celebrating Christmas. She never seemed to mind before, but this year it bothers her–maybe because they’re home and not on the Florida coast where they usually go at this time of the year to avoid the holiday hoopla. All around her the neighbors have decorated their houses with festive lights, while her house by contrast looks drab and uninviting during the long, cold winter nights. Itfs made her feel like an outsider.
Why does her family have to be different? She talks with her mom and dad about their reasons for not observing the holidays. Then one day a teacher gives her “an awesome idea”: she tells Jenny about the winter solstice and ancient traditions among many peoples of the northern hemisphere who celebrate this shortest day of the year in anticipation of the longer, warmer, and brighter days of the coming spring. Why don’t we celebrate the winter solstice, too? Jenny wonders.
Her parents can’t help but agree and a few days later they bring home a potted pine from the local nursery for the living room. What fun they all have placing their special decorations on the solstice tree. And best of all, Jenny can now invite any of her friends, no matter what their religious backgrounds are, to admire her beautiful tree. Everyone can participate!”
The Solstice Badger
Robin McFadden
From Amazon: “The Solstice Badger tells the tale of the days when the Sun shone all day long, every day. In the beginning, The Sun roamed the earth happy and filled with joy, but eventually he became terribly lonely and sad, and his light began to dim. Aware of his plight, many of the earth’s creatures tried to befriend the Sun, only to find his intense heat burned, and prevented them from getting too close. To the Sun’s great joy, one day there came a creature that found a way to get close to the sun, and soon the two became great friends. Staying longer and longer each day with his friend, the Sun’s absence from the sky eventually caused the skies to darken and snow to fall. All living things suffered. Would the Sun realize his impact on the world’s suffering before it was too late? Would he have to leave his only friend and new found happiness forever in order to to save the world? “
More Winter Picture Books
Flannel Kisses
Linda Crotta Brennan
Three Snow Bears
Jan Brett
From Amazon: “When Aloo-ki glances up from fishing and sees her sled dogs floating off on an ice floe, she races after them. She comes upon an igloo with no one home and goes inside.
Turns out the polar bear family who lives there is out walking while their breakfast cools off. Aloo-ki eats some soup, tries on their boots, and finally crawls into the smallest bed for a nap. Meanwhile, Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear see her dogs adrift, swim out to rescue them and return home to find Aloo-ki fast asleep in Baby Bear’s bed.”
The Story of the Snow Children
Sibylle von Olfers
From Amazon: “Poppy is gazing out of the window at the snow when suddenly she sees that the snowflakes are really Snow Children, dancing and whirling in the garden. Soon, they whisk her away to the Snow Queen’s wintry kingdom.”
The Mitten
Jan Brett
From Amazon: “When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing.
One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax.
As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki’s snowy outing in the borders of each page.”
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter
Kenard Pak
From Amazon: “Join a brother and sister as they explore nature and take a stroll through their twinkling town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the setting sun to curious deer, they say goodbye to autumn and welcome the glorious first snow of winter in Kenar Pak’s Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter.“
Secrets of Winter: A Shine a Light Book
Carron Brown
From Amazon: “This beautifully illustrated book will introduce children to the joys of nature, and show them what wonderful secrets are revealed if you just look a little closer. Who is out and about during wintertime? Shine a light behind the pages and discover a natural winter world full of surprises! The clever see-through reading technique creates an experience of interactive learning, showing both the surface and what is hidden underneath at the same time.”
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Richard B. Smith
From Amazon: “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening . . . Tim Hopgood’s joyful and colorful illustrations show all the wonders of winter―snowmen and sleigh rides, sweaters and smiles. Follow a family on their walk through snowy scenes. A beautiful and festive celebration of the season―perfect for sharing!”
Blizzard
John Rocco
From Amazon: “Blizzard is based on John Rocco’s childhood experience during the now infamous Blizzard of 1978, which brought fifty-three inches of snow to his town in Rhode Island. Told with a brief text and dynamic illustrations, the bookopens with a boy’s excitement upon seeing the first snowflake fall outside his classroom window. It ends with the neighborhood’s immense relief upon seeing the first snowplow break through on their street. In between the boy watches his familiar landscape transform into something alien, and readers watch him transform into a hero who puts the needs of others first. “
The Nutcracker
Susan Jeffers
From Amazon: “Join Marie, Fritz, and the intriguing Nutcracker himself on a magical Christmas Eve adventure. Behold the frightful Mouse King, the elegant Sugar Plum fairies, and the entire Land of Sweets in this dazzling, gorgeously illustrated holiday classic. With spare text based on the story in the ballet, this book offers a front-row seat to the enthralling tale that is a perennial favorite of adults and children alike.”
Wordless Winter Picture Books
Red Sled
Lita Judge
From Amazon: “In this almost wordless picture book, a host of woodland creatures take a child’s sled for a nighttime joy ride. Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects. With a timeless tone and classic characters, RED SLED will become a wintertime favorite.”
Winter
Gerda Muller
From Amazon: “Full of fun, active illustrations, this chunky board book shows the joys of shovelling snow, ice-skating, feeding the birds, and being cozy inside with the Christmas tree.”
The Snowman
Raymond Briggs
From Amazon: “A little boy rushes out into the wintry day to build a snowman, which comes alive in his dreams that night. The experience is one that neither he nor young ‘readers’ will ever regret or forget.”
Wolf in the Snow
Matthew Cordell
From Amazon: “Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Wolf in the Snow is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts, from Matthew Cordell, author of Trouble Gum and Another Brother.”
Flora and the Penguin
Molly Idle
From Amazon: “Having mastered ballet in Flora and the Flamingo, Flora takes to the ice and forms an unexpected friendship with a penguin. Twirling, leaping, spinning, and gliding, on skates and flippers, the duo mirror each other’s graceful dance above and below the ice. But when Flora gives the penguin the cold shoulder, the pair must figure out a way to work together for uplifting results.”
Snowman’s Story
Will Hillenbrand
From Amazon: “
One wintry day, a hat lands on the head of a newly made snowman and brings him to life. Hiding inside the hat is a rabbit, who listens to the snowman read a story to some animal friends. When the snowman falls asleep, the rabbit hops away with the book. But the snowman isn’t about to let his story―or the mischievous rabbit―get away. The chase is on!”
The Snow Rabbit
Camille Garoche
From Amazon: “Two sisters look longingly through their window at the snowy sky. One goes out and sculpts a little rabbit, but when she brings it back inside to her wheelchair-bound sister, it begins to melt. So they take it outside and into the forest where enchanted things begin to happen.”
More Winter Book Lists and Activities You Won’t Want to Miss
Winter Poetry Teatime
Winter-Themed Chapter Books for Kids
Middle School Books to Read This Winter
She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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