Winter Booklist

“Children who are read to learn two things: First, that reading is worthwhile, and second, that they are worthwhile.” Laura Bush

Winter is a fascinating season and the topic for many outstanding children’s books.  As you reflect on children’s interests, choose books that support their preferences and questions. The following list includes a variety of titles to engage young children in the wonders of the winter season.

Playing and exploring outdoors is the best way for young children to experience winter.  When it’s too cold (and windy), snowy days are perfect for reading favorite picture books together indoors. 

Featured Favorites

A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba Art by Alea Marley (2019)

A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba Art by Alea Marley  (2019)

Ages 4-7 years

Winter days can look gray, but colors are everywhere if you look carefully!  This lovely book celebrates friendship and different ways of seeing beauty in the gloomiest days. 

A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris (2020) Ages 3-7 years

A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris (2020)

Ages 3-7 years

A polar bear is on a journey through the wintry arctic landscape.  The exquisite illustrations lead the way to his destination as the listener imagines where he is going. It is engaging and full of opportunities for questions, conversation, and wonder.

Good Morning Snowplow! by Deborah Buss, Illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson (2018)

Good Morning Snowplow! by Deborah Buss, Illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson (2018)

Ages 1-5 years

Young children in wintery states like Wyoming will enjoy this delightful tale about the work snowplows at night.  Beautiful illustrations and rhyming text tell the story of those who work on frosty winter nights.

Animals in Winter

Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre (2016) Ages 2-5 years

Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre (2016)

Ages 2-5 years

A beautiful book of winter photos that exquisitely captures the wonder of winter and its creatures from a naturalist’s view. The poetic language supports the breathtaking images of the icy, frosty outdoors. Creating a class or family book of winter photographs would be a perfect way for children to respond to this picture book. The following is a link to a read-aloud of the book on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_Z--7FlS4w

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal (2014) Ages 3-7 years

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal (2014)

Ages 3-7 years

As a child and her father ski silently through the snowy woods, they spy a squirrel disappearing beneath the snow.  Gliding along, they ponder animals in their cozy burrows under the snow. A favorite for the imaginative and informative illustrations and the sweet story of a special wintry day in the woods.

The Mitten, Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett (1996) Ages 1-5 years

The Mitten, Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett (1996)

Ages 1-5 years

Jan Brett has written many beautiful children’s books, and they are often set in cold, snowy places, making them perfect for winter story reading.  The one that continues to make an appearance in classrooms and homes is The Mitten. Jan Brett’s version is an adaptation of a Ukrainian folk tale. In this story, a young boy loses a mitten lovingly knitted by his grandmother—one by one, curious animals seeking shelter climb into the abandoned mitten to stay warm.  The surprise ending is always a delight for children.  Be sure to look for other wintery titles by Jan Brett at www.janbrett.com

The Red Sled by Lita Judge (2011) Ages 1-5 years

The Red Sled by Lita Judge (2011)

Ages 1-5 years

The magical adventure begins when a child leaves a sled outside a cabin.  A bear and his friends find the sled and take it on a ride through the forest. Wordless, except for splendidly descriptive references to sounds like “scrunch” and “whoa,” this book will encourage delightful conversation.   A perfect choice for a multi-age read-aloud, as even younger children will find the story and illustrations captivating and fun.

Winter

If Winter Comes, Tell It I’m Not Here by Simona Ciraolo (2020)

If Winter Comes, Tell It I’m Not Here by Simona Ciraolo (2020)

Ages 3-7 years

A young boy who loves summer is warned by his sister of the gloomy days ahead when winter comes. Summer changes to fall, and finally, winter arrives. To his surprise, he realizes he enjoys playing in the snow and sipping hot cocoa—a perfect read-aloud choice to celebrate the uniqueness of each season of the year. 

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)

The Snowy Day  by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)

Ages 3-5 years

The Snowy Day is the story of a young boy delighting in the wonders of a big snowstorm. All bundled up, Peter playfully explores the deep snow in his neighborhood. Treasured by children, families, and educators, this award-winning picture book has stood the test of time—a perfect read-aloud for the classroom or for cuddling up at home on a cold winter day. 

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper, illustrated by Kinard Pak (2020)

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper, illustrated by Kinard Pak (2020)

Ages 4-8 years

The snow has piled up overnight, and Lina wakes to a silent winter landscape. She is making a treasured family recipe with her grandmother on this special day.  On her snowy walk to grandma’s house, Lina becomes aware of different ways to hear snow.  A snow shovel, her boots, and a blue jay are just a few ways she notices the sounds of snow.  Throughout the day, Lina counted ten ways to hear snow. 

Snowmen

If Picasso Painted a Snowman by Amy & Greg Newbold (2017)

If Picasso Painted a Snowman by Amy & Greg Newbold (2017)

Ages 4-8 years

How would the world’s most famous artists interpret a snowman? Each whimsical illustration imagines a different interpretation of a snowman.  Each page invites young children to explore and respond to artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, or Monet as they create a unique winter masterpiece.

Snowmen at Night, by Caralyn Buehner and illustrated by Mark Buehner (2002)

Snowmen at Night, by Caralyn Buehner and illustrated by Mark Buehner (2002)

Ages 2-6 years

Do snowmen sometimes look a little different in the morning light? It could be they are spending snowy nights having adventures! Children will delight in this tale, imagining what snowmen are up to on chilly winter nights.

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert (1995)

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert (1995)

Ages 2-5 years

Do snowmen sometimes look a little different in the morning light? It could be they are spending snowy nights having adventures! Children will delight in this tale, imagining what snowmen are up to on chilly winter nights.

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More Fun Winter Titles

  • Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft & Richard G. Van Gelder Illustrated by Helen K. Davie (1997)

    Ages 3-6 years

  • Curious About Snow by Gina Shaw Published by the Smithsonian (2016)

    Ages 3- 8 years

  • No Two Alike, by Keith Baker (2014)

    Ages 1-4 years

  • Snow Day! by Lester Laminack Illustrated by Adam Gustavson (2007)

    Ages 3 and up

  • The Littlest Yak by Lu Fraser and Kate Hindley (2020)

    Ages 3 and up

  • Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee (2007)

    Ages 2-6 years

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Ideas for Sharing Books with Children

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Library Connections

Check Out the local library in your Wyoming community.  Librarians are an excellent resource and can help you find the perfect books for your classroom, program, or home.  If you can’t get to your local library, try the Libby App!

Use your local library card and access the Libby App for children’s books on your phone, tablet, or computer. 

https://library.wyo.gov/find-thousands-of-e-books-and-audiobooks-in-gowyld-with-libby