At our house, we read A LOT of children's books, and we want to share some of our favorites with you! In this post, we've included our favorite winter board books and picture books. Feel free to skim the list and see if any appeal to your family. We hope you enjoy!
Board Books
The Snowy Day
By: Ezra Jack Keats
Publisher: Viking (1962)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: In 1962, a little boy named Peter put on his snowsuit and stepped out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. 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.
Why We Love It
Classic story
Simple yet striking illustrations
Perfectly captures the childhood wonder of playing outside on a snowy day
The Mitten
By: Jan Brett
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons (1989)
Recommended Ages: 1+
Book Description: 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.
Why We Love It
Creative story that keeps kids interested
Silly climax
Perfect picture on the final spread that adds humor to the resolution
Follow the Trail Winter Wonderland
Written By: Dawn Sirett
Designed and Illustrated By: Rachael Hare and Charlotte Milner
Publisher: DK Publishing (2017)
Recommended Ages: 1+
Book Description: Tiny readers can trace glittery trails in this board book perfect for little hands, with activities that teach them about shapes, matching, and sorting, and help develop hand-eye coordination and pre-writing motor skills. As they follow the trails, toddlers will lead a polar bear, an arctic fox, a reindeer, and a penguin back to their homes.
Why We Love It
Teaches kids about animals and shapes
Develops fine-motor skills
Glittery finger trails, peepholes, and matching activity at the end keep kids engaged
Little Panda
Written By: Julie Abery
Illustrated By: Suzie Mason
Publisher: Amicus Ink (2019)
Recommended Ages: 0+
Book Description: Little Panda goes on an adventure in the jungle, but mama is always close by her cub. Like any toddler, Little Panda loves to explore and try new things. Playtime is filled with fun and a few tumbles, but mama helps dust Little Panda off and get back to the business of play. Nature is a perfect playground!
Why We Love It
Bouncy rhyming text; rhymes within lines as well as at the ends of lines
Little Panda's experience playing in the snow is very relatable for toddlers
Part of a series, with each book featuring a different popular animal
Frosty the Snowman
By: Jack Rollins & Steve Nelson
Publisher: WorthyKids (2013)
Recommended Ages: 0+
Book Description: Sing along to the classic song and watch Frosty the Snowman come to life with this musical board book!
Why We Love It
Sound book that plays the classic "Frosty the Snowman" song and provides the lyrics on illustrated pages
Sturdy board book format
Perfect for Christmas and beyond!
Snowmen At Night
Written By: Caralyn Buehner
Illustrated By: Mark Buehner
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers (2002)
Recommended Ages: 0+
Book Description: 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!
Why We Love It
Clever idea for a story!
Impeccable rhyming text
Beautiful illustrations
Objects to find in each illustration
One of my all-time favorite children's books!
Picture Books
First Snow
Written By: Nancy Viau
Illustrated By: Talitha Shipman
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co. (2018)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Friends gather outside to celebrate the first snowfall of the season with snowball fights, sledding, building igloos, drinking hot chocolate, and making the most of a windy, wintry day. With rhyming text and cheerful illustrations, this is a charming celebration of the winter season.
Why We Love It
Cute rhyming text
Soft, sweet illustrations
Captures the magic of the first snowfall; perfect for early winter reading
The Gruffalo's Child
Written By: Julia Donaldson
Illustrated By: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Puffin Books (2004)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: One night, the Gruffalo’s child wanders into the woods to search for the Big Bad Mouse. But instead, she comes upon a small mouse in the woods . . . and decides to eat him! But wait, what is that? A shadow of a very large, scary creature falls on the ground. Could it be the Big Bad Mouse after all?
Why We Love It
Clever sequel to The Gruffalo, one of my all-time favorite children's books!
Masterful rhyming text and adorable illustrations
Not scary!
The Little Snowplow
Written By: Lora Koehler
Illustrated By: Jake Parker
Publisher: Candlewick Press (2015)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: On the Mighty Mountain Road Crew, the trucks come in one size: BIG. That is, until the little snowplow joins the crew. None of the other trucks think that the little snowplow can handle the big storms, but he knows that he can do it—and just to be sure, he trains hard, pushing loads of gravel, pulling blocks of concrete, and doing plow lifts to get ready. But when a blizzard arrives, will the little snowplow’s training be enough to clear the streets and handle unexpected trouble?
Why We Love It:
Perfect vehicle book for winter
Great message about believing in yourself, no matter your size
We also love The Little Snowplow Wishes For Snow!
A Loud Winter's Nap
By: Katy Hudson
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers (2017)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Every year, Tortoise sleeps through winter. He assumes he isn’t missing much. However, his friends are determined to prove otherwise! Will Tortoise sleep through another winter, or will his friends convince him to stay awake and experience the frosty fun of winter? Best-selling author Katy Hudson's charming picture book will convince even the biggest winter grouch that winter can be magical if you have friends by your side.
Why We Love It:
Stunning illustrations
Great reminder that there's beauty and fun to be had, even in the winter!
Part of an adorable seasonal series!
Just A Snowman
By: Mercer Mayer
Publisher: HarperFestival (2004)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Snow is piled high and school is cancelled. But before Little Critter can build his snowman, he must help his sister wear her snow boots, his dad shovel the sidewalk, and Gator build a fort. Will Little Critter ever get to build a snowman?
Why We Love It:
Familiar characters experience all the thrills of a fun day playing in the snow
As always with Little Critter books, the illustrations add so much humor to the story!
Pete the Cat Snow Daze
By: James Dean
Publisher: Harper (2016)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: School is canceled, and Pete cannot wait to play in the snow with all his friends. Imagine a day filled with snowball fights, hot chocolate, snowcats, and more. But when the next day and the day after that are all snow days, Pete comes to a sudden realization—it is possible to have too many snow days.
Why We Love It:
Perfect for snow day reading!
As the snow days add up, the humor does too!
Great message about loving school!
Except Antarctica!
By: Todd Sturgell
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore (2021)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Turtles are found on every continent...except Antarctica. But not for long! In this silly nature documentary gone wrong, discover what happens when a ragtag group of determined animals forge ahead to a place unknown...and find out exactly what to do when they get there!
Why We Love It:
Informational, funny, and silly at the same time
Ending is very clever and fitting
Includes facts about each animal character, Antarctica, and even climate change
Perfect for winter but can be read year-round!
We Want Snow! A Wintry Chant
Written By: Jamie A. Swenson
Illustrated By: Emilie Boon
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (2021)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: In this raucous, rhyming plea for snow, a group of youngsters imagines the cold-weather delights they'll enjoy once winter arrives. From sledding down hills and skating on ponds to building snow forts and snowmen to sharing crackling fires and mugs of hot cocoa, they want snow and plenty of it! The snow can't arrive soon enough. But once the flakes start to fall, are the youngsters in for more than they bargained for?
Why We Love It:
Cute rhyming story
Soft, sweet illustrations
Captures the excitement and anticipation of the first snowfall and then the inevitable excitement and anticipation for winter to end (I can totally relate!😂)
llama llama home with mama
By: Anna Dewdney
Publisher: Viking (2011)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Ah-choo! Uh-oh, Llama Llama's nose is feeling tickly, his throat is feeling scratchy, and his head is feeling stuffy. Back to bed, no school today for Llama Llama! Instead, he's home with Mama. By lunchtime, though, he's beginning to feel a tiny bit better. But now someone else has the sneezes . . . Mama! And who will help her feel better? Why, Llama Llama, of course!
Why We Love It:
Familiar characters and relatable topic
Comforting read when young ones are home sick
Can be read all year
Bear Snores On
Written By: Karma Wilson
Illustrated By: Jane Chapman
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (2002)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description:
In a cave in the woods,
in his deep, dark lair,
through the long, cold winter
sleeps a great brown bear.
One by one, a whole host of 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 snores on! See what happens when he finally wakes up and finds his cave full of uninvited guests—all of them having a party without him!
Why We Love It:
Masterful rhyming text
Gorgeous illustrations
Clever ending
Part of one of my all-time favorite series of children's books!
Sneezy the Snowman
Written By: Maureen Wright
Illustrated By: Stephen Gilpin
Publisher: Two Lions (2010)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: 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”.
Why We Love It:
Silly rhyming story
Bright illustrations with two loveable cardinals who share in the fun
Cute resolution
Cold Turkey
Written By: Corey Rosen Schwartz and
Kirsti Call
Illustrated By: Chad Otis
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co. (2021)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description:
Turkey woke up c-c-cold.
He wheezed, "It's ten degrees!"
I need to b-b-bundle up,
before I f-f-freeze!"
Sheep is shivering, Chicken is chilly, and Cow is quivering! Lucky for them, bundled-up Turkey is generous and shares his warm clothes with each of his barnyard friends. But once he's down to just his birthday suit, what's a cold turkey to do? (Not to worry—his friends will have him toasty again in no time!)
Why We Love It:
Playful rhyming text full of farm puns
Funny illustrations
Great book for Thanksgiving through winter
Good Morning, Snowplow!
Written By: Deborah Bruss
Illustrated By: Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. (2018)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: As the rest of the town settles in to bed, one man, his dog, and a trusty snowplow get ready for a night's work. Follow them through slick roads and swirling drifts in this sweet, rhyming book.
Why We Love It:
Beautiful rhyming text
Neat, textural illustrations
Includes many popular vehicles
Once Upon a Winter Day
By: Liza Woodruff
Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books (2020)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description: Milo wants a story, but his mom is too busy to entertain him. Instead, she encourages him to go out and play in the snow. At first, Milo is disappointed - he doesn't want to play outside, he wants a story. But when he starts to follow a trail of mouse-prints, he discovers signs of activity all around, prompting him to ask, "What happened here?" Before long, he's using his imagination -- depicted in lush wordless spreads that capture the vividness of Milo's fantasies -- to fill in the gaps. By the time Milo comes home, he's the one with stories to tell.
Why We Love It:
Imaginative story
Great pacing; love the wordless spreads interjected throughout
Satisfying ending
Polar Opposites
By: Erik Brooks
Publisher: Two Lions (2012)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Alex is a BIG polar bear. Zina is a tiny penguin. Alex lives in the Arctic. Zina lives in the Antarctic. Alex and Zina are polar opposites! They live on opposite sides of the world. Their personalities are very different, too. But they find a way to meet in the middle. The simple text and vibrant watercolor illustrations bring opposites to life in this lively look at two unusual best friends.
Why We Love It:
Clever story
Teaches kids about opposites
Great message about getting along with others, even if you're polar opposites 😊
We sincerely hope that you enjoy these books as much as we have! To receive monthly book recommendations, sign-up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page. Otherwise, if you have any winter book recommendations for us, please type them in the comments below. We are ALWAYS looking for fun new books to read! 😊
Stay warm and happy reading from our family to yours!