Children's books for winter ❄️

Can we read? Special edition on winter: 2024

I live in a very cold place — average winter temp of 8 degrees — with lots of snowfall — average 52 inches, though some years that number has reached 100+ — so I know this season intimately. (It’s totally underrated, for starters.)

The secret the surviving, even enjoying it, is three-fold:

First, don’t fight it. That’s pointless. Surrender completely.

Second, dress for the weather. Why people don’t do this is beyond me. If you are going out in a cotton sweatshirt and bare ankles in January, don’t complain to me about how you’re freezing, because of course you are, and I have no sympathy for that nonsense.

Third, sport your way through it. Get outside and move every day, even when it’s below zero (you’ll be fine if you dress properly! Listen to your mother!)

I have other winter Opinions but will spare you: here are my winter opinions, lowercase o 😉 about some excellent books to read with the children in your life. Snuggle up! (But also get some fresh air!) Enjoy!

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Millions of Snowflakes by Mary McKenna Siddals, illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles (1998)

It’s hard to explain the deep sweetness of this delightful and gentle introduction to the magic of winter for the littlest readers. The simple, rhythmic text—which also incorporates counting from one to five — along with Sayles’ soft, joyful pastel illustrations perfectly captures the wonder of falling snowflakes, inviting babies and toddlers to explore this specific kind of joy.

I think this joy lasts well beyond this age — or, it should — but the awe of the very young is always a good reminder for those of us who need one that the winter world is full of wonder.

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Who Gets the Sun Out of Bed? by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by David McPhail (1992)

Long-time readers of this newsletter know that David McPhail is my ultimate favorite children’s book creator— I always hate to pick any favorite because it feels impossible, except it’s not, because for me, it’s David McPhail.

Here he contributes his signature soft pastel and watercolor illustrations, and White Carlstrom matches his excellence with her meditative, poetic prose, which asks, “In the cold, dark winter, who gets the sun out of the bed?” and then goes through all the things that don’t (not the spruce tree, not the stars) before landing on the things that do (the moon, and a bunny, and a boy).

The story beautifully captures a sense of awe in an easy, soothing narrative perfect for older babies and toddlers at bedtime.

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A Cozy Winter Day by Eliza Wheeler (2024)

I received a copy of this title from Pengiun Young Readers — all opinions are my own

Fans of Brambly Hedge, Foxwood Tales, even Beatrix Potter (not to mention Calico Critters): look no further than this adorable book for your wintertime reading.

This sweet little story brings readers along for a day in the life of the Acorn Villagers — rabbits, beavers, hedgehogs, chipmunks, an owl, and a porcupine who make deliveries, cook stew, stack firewood, hike, and hunker down for a feast, among other things — in a narrative that’s straightforward but rich in sensory details, and so terribly cute I can’t help but want to fall into these warm, inviting digital images headfirst and stay there to wait out winter.

Due to its gentle nature, this one is best for younger children — 4-6yo is probably the sweet spot — but if you have older kiddos who could use a solid dose of comfort and hygge, don’t discount it, either. (I don’t know about you, but I, for one, never aged out of books like this and am pretty much always in need of comfort and hygge, and I’m not the least bit sorry.)

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Making a Friend by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Alison Friend (2018)

Beaver is good at making lots of things: that is, except, a friend. He tries, but things never go as planned. Until one day, he has an idea: he’ll make a friend. Literally.

Raccoon comes along, curious, and gets involved. Slowly, Beaver notices that, well, he made a friend while making a friend.

You wouldn’t think anyone could pack such a profound message — that we’re better when we do things together — into such a playful and lighthearted narrative, but Sauer does it with aplomb. Coupled with Friend’s cheerful digital illustrations, this is a winning read for preschoolers and early elementary kids, or anyone who needs a glimpse into the joy of making friends.

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A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin (2019)

This review first appeared in my 2021 special edition on winter

There are a lot of stories about where snow comes from — our favorite is Grimm’s Mother Holle, where the title character shakes out her feather bed and the flakes come down — but never have I been so charmed by one before A Big Bed for Little Snow.

In this story, Little Snow’s mother makes him a bed for winter, saying, “This bed is for sleeping, not jumping.” Naturally, Little Snow jumps anyway (have you ever met a child who doesn’t do the exact opposite of what you tell them to do?) until feathers gradually squeeze out, revealing he’s responsible for making the world’s snow.

You wouldn’t think such a basic, uncomplicated story would be — could be — transfixing for children, but it is (Lin’s watercolors are gorgeous, and anyway, don’t we all like seeing our fantasies played out by someone else?) The pleasure of this book is real and strong, and one you’ll find yourself returning to — if your toddlers and preschoolers don’t beat you to it — for a repeat experience.

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Oh! by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek (1999)

This review first appeared in my 2021 special edition on winter

In this sweet, tiny tale, “the snow falls and falls all night” and in the morning, when everything is white, everyone wants to play. Squirrel comes out (skitter, skitter), then rabbit (hop, hop), then cat (sneak, sneak, sneak), then dog (run, run, run), then, of course, children (jump, jump, jump) — OH! The joys of snow.

I’m not sure anyone could produce a comprehensive story in so few words better than Henkes does here, and it works perfectly with Dronzek’s dreamy acrylic illustrations. This book is absolute perfection for babies and toddlers.

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Greenglass House by Kate Milford (2014)

Does an atmospheric mystery set in a quirky, snow-covered inn sound appealing (even if you’re well beyond the target middle-grade audience?) Look no further than this suspenseful story, wherein Milo, the adopted son of innkeepers, expects a quiet winter break but gets something else entirely when unexpected guests arrive, their personal items suddenly go missing, and of course, it’s snowing like crazy.

Milo and new friend Meddy hatch a plan to figure out what’s up — working to uncover secrets, always the best element in any rich, well-plotted mystery, which this definitely is. There are a lot of threads to follow here, so this is best for strong readers ages 10-13, but don’t let that limit you — younger readers are capable of listening to stories that are well beyond their actual reading ability, and you, my grownup friend, don’t want to miss this one, either. It is, in a word, captivating.

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Before Morning by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes (2016)

This review first appeared in my 2020 special edition on winter

This is the extraordinarily simple story of a snowstorm — the narrative is sparse, a mere four sentences, which is really an extended poem — but don’t let that fool you: Sidman’s compact prose is as gorgeous a meditation on snow and winter as has ever been written, and Krommes’ dense, detailed etchings tell the story-behind-the-words so beautifully that put together these two talents are breathtaking.

As if that wasn’t enough, the tale itself is special: a little girl says goodbye to her mother, a pilot, in the early-morning darkness of winter. The mother travels to the airport and waits while the snow comes down until suddenly, unexpectedly, we see a wish granted: a snow day! Work canceled. And the sweet return home.

Wishes and invocations have power, and this book shares the magic of both the act and the culmination: wishing, and having wishes come true.

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🥶 Want more titles for the season?

I’ve got you covered: download my newest seasonal guide, Can we read? Children’s Picture Books for Winter.

Published over a span of 57 years, these 28 titles for ages 0-10 are among my most recommended — from board books and poetry to picture books and chapter books — and I’ve rounded them up in one easy guide to make your reading life easier this season.

I also have a Bookshop.org list, Books for winter, if you’d prefer to visually browse and/or support this newsletter in another way — I get a tiny commission if you use this link to make a purchase.

Yours in snowflakes, snowpants, and snowjoy (go find some),
Sarah

P.S. I’m taking next week off from this newsletter