The first things that come to mind when winter arrives is cuddling up under the blankets, next to a crackling fire with a good book or two. Winter always brings the most splendid children’s books filled with magical snowflakes, snowy, frosty landscapes, cold loving creatures and enchanting winter wonderlands.
Here are a few of our favorite tales to fuel imaginations and cozy story time during the holidays or when the blizzards are raging outside.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
The world looks different when it’s covered with a fresh blanket of snow. In Ezra Keats’s lovely book The Snowy Day a young boy explores this new landscape and all it has to offer. Beautifully illustrated with watercolors, cut-outs and collage, the brief vividly expressed text follows the little explorer’s adventures. From experimenting with footprints, to making snow angels, to trying to save a snowball for the next day, this book is a reminder of the magic in simple experiences.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
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. Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind’s close relationship to the natural world.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
One winter’s night, a snowman comes to life and a magical adventure begins…
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
A true story of a farm boy in Vermont who became captivated by snowflakes. He grew up to be the first person to ever photograph a snowflake. Sidebars throughout the story explore the science of snow. Winner of a Caldecott Medal.
The Big Snow by Berta Hader and Elmer Hader
As the animals notice winter is coming, they begin to prepare. And then comes the big storm!
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Have you ever wondered about the secret life of a snowman?
The Mitten by Jan Brett
When Nicki drops one of his snow-white mittens in the snow, he doesn’t even notice! It’s not long before some woodland creatures discover it and crawl inside to get warm.
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino
Ever wonder how snow forms, or why snowflakes look the way they do? Did you know that no two snowflakes are alike? Dive in to the incredible world of snow and ice crystals in The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonders by Mark Cassino and Jon Nelson, Ph.D. Part fun and part real science, this book is filled with delightful illustrations and close-up photos of actual snow crystals.
Skippyjon Jones, Snow What by Judy Schachner
Skippyjon Jones finds himself in a magical snowy forest of make-believe, where the seven Chimichangos challenge him with his most dangerous task yet: to wake up Nieve Que, the frozen princess, by kissing her! Yuck! Will this hero agree to don a prince’s pantelones and save his poochitos?
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
One by one, a whole host of different animals and birds find their way out of the cold and into Bear’s cave to warm up. But even after the tea has been brewed and the corn has been popped, Bear just snores on!
The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
The Goldilocks story takes a fine twist when an endearing snow bear family and a curious Inuit girl meet center stage in Jan Brett’s stunning paintings of a land where the Inuits and the animals share the amazing Arctic landscape.
Here Comes Jack Frost by Kazuno Kahara
A little boy makes a winter friend, Jack Frost, but when the snowdrops poke through the snow as Spring arrives Jack Frost is gone.
