These are our favorite Children's Books about Winter and they're all perfect picture books to cozy up with on a cold winter's day.
We do more reading during the Winter than any other time of year. With the freezing temperatures outdoors and shortened days, it seems like a cozy book and a blanket are always calling.
Whether it's cold where you are or not, these Children's Books about Winter are a perfect way to enjoy the season.
These Winter Picture Books aren't Christmas books (that's a separate list), so you can enjoy them long past the holidays. We've read them all. In fact, we own almost every book on this list, and we give them our wholehearted recommendation.
Of course, they are all best enjoyed with a mug of hot cocoa.
Note: the Amazon links in this post are affiliate links.
Children's Books About Winter
Snow
This is probably the most read of all the winter picture books at our house. We have it memorized and we like to quote it over and over whenever snow is in the forecast. "No Snow," says television. "No snow," says radio. But snow doesn't watch television. The illustrations are magic too.
All Around Bustletown: Winter
This is a brand new book and we can't stop poring over the illustrations. With thick board book pages, this one is excellent for looking at again and again. It's a search and find type of book and it's so well done. It's an absolutely charming book!
Winter Is Here
You really can't go wrong with a Kevin Henkes book! This book captures winter so joyfully. And I adore the illustrations.
Wintercake
This is another brand new one that we immediately fell in love with. When Thomas misplaces the basket of dried fruit he needs to make his winter cakes, his friend Lucy offers to help. Unfortunately she is a little too quick to assume that a stranger has stolen the fruit. Luckily, there's understanding and forgiveness, and new friendships are made too. Definitely read this one!
Owl Moon
This book is pure magic! A little girl and her father head into the snowy forest one night to go "owling." This is a Winter Must Read.
The Big Snow
This was a Caldecott winner back in the 1940's and it's still such a lovely winter picture book. There's a big snow coming and all the animals need to get ready.
Snowflake Bentley
This 1999 Caldecott winner is a non-fiction picture book biography about Wilson Bentley and his snowflake photography. The illustrations are magnificent woodcuts and watercolors and the story is fascinating. We love this one.
The Snowy Day
This one is famous enough that I doubt it needs any introduction. I will say this: you should definitely read it during the winter, at least once.
First Snow
This is an adorable book about a little girl's first snow experience. The illustrations are so charming
A Day So Gray
If you're getting tired of all the grays and browns of winter, then this is the book for you. When a young girl feels tired of the dull winter, a friend reminds her of all the magical colors of winter. It's a beautiful new book.
Wolf in the Snow
I picked this one up earlier this year when it won the 2018 Caldecott medal and I was not disappointed. A girl and a wolf cub are lost in a snowstorm. It's such a clever and beautiful book about friendship and trust.
The Snowman
This is the most perfect winter book! It's a wordless book with the dreamiest illustrations that tell the story of a snowman. It's another winter picture book MUST READ.
Over and Under the Snow
Over the snow, the world is quiet and still. But, under the snow, there's so much happening! This is a gorgeous book about nature in the winter.
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder
An excellent non-fiction picture book about the science of snow. This is a great for young kids who want to know all the how's and why's behind winter and snow.
The Mitten
This is probably my favorite of all the many books Jan Brett has written and illustrated. When a young boy drops his mitten, it becomes the unlikely shelter for a whole slew of forest animals. So fun to read aloud!
The Shortest Day
This is a gorgeous new book, with a beautiful poem from Susan Cooper and stunning illustrations from one of my favorite artists, Carson Ellis. This is a wonderful book that captures all the magic and ritual of the Winter Solstice.
Annie and the Wild Animals
I've been reading this book since I was a kid myself! When Annie's beloved cat disappears, she begins leaving food outside hoping to attract another pet. Unfortunately, all the wild animals of the forest show up instead. It's a wonderful read aloud.
The Tomten
This classic tale from Sweden is one of my most favorite books on this list. No one ever sees the tomten on the farm, just his footprints, but they know he's there. He watches over the animals and the farm, silently tiptoeing through the winter night and across the pages. It's lovely.
The Tomten and the Fox
Another magical Tomten book from Astrid Lindgren. In this one, a fox is hungry and eyeing all the chickens on the farm. But with the tomten around, all the animals are safe and even the fox is cared for in the end.
Froggy Gets Dressed
Froggy just wants to go out and play in the snow, but his mother insists he get dressed first. Turns out, getting dressed is harder than Froggy though. This one is sure to inspire some giggles.
The Story of the Snow Children
This book was originally published in 1905 and it's still a wonderful story - a true literary treasure. I bought this one when my kids were just babies, but all these years later, they still love it. Magical illustrations!
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
This is a great introduction for young listeners to Robert Frost's famous poem. The illustrations are perfect!
Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter
I always wish I lived on a farm. But since I don't, I adore reading books like this one. It is absolutely captivating reading about this family preparing their farm for the winter.
Ten on the Sled
This is a fun, rhyming book in the tradition of "Ten in the Bed." It makes a wonderful read aloud and has bright, colorful pictures for little listeners.
A Home in the Barn
A beautiful, simple story from Margaret Wise Brown about the animals keeping warm in the barn. Caldecott winner Jerry Pinkney brings it all to life with amazing illustrations.
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter
A brother and sister take a walk outside, noticing as they go all of the signs that the season is changing. It's a fantastic book and is sure to inspire a winter walk too!
You Can Do It Sam
Sam and his mother are baking winter cakes to take to their friends. And this year, Sam wants to deliver them to the doors all by himself. This is such a sweet little story.
Mice Skating
While all the other mice are burrowing in to keep cozy for the winter, Lucy just wants to get outside. She loves the snow, she loves the frosty air, and she loves ice skating. Can she get any of her mice friends to join her? You will love this darling book!
Blizzard
This one is based on the author's actual experience in the blizzard of 1978 that brought an astounding 53 inches to his town in Rhode Island. It's a fantastic read.
Shelter
A storm is approaching and all of the animals are trying to take shelter. When two strangers appear in the forest, the animals are concerned and don't want to give them shelter too. But when an unfortunate accident leaves the fox family without a place to go, everyone in the forest has to make a decision. I love this book about community and kindness.
Brave Irene
William Steig is my absolute favorite children's book author and this book is one of his best. Irene is heading out into a snow storm to make a delivery. It's not easy, but Irene is brave. If you haven't ever read this one, do not delay.
White Snow, Bright Snow
This is an award winning classic from the 1940's that's actually still a wonderful read. It's the illustrations in this one that really have my heart.
Snowmen at Night
What do Snowmen do at night when everyone is asleep? If you've ever wondered, this is the book for you. My kids love this fun rhyming story - very clever book.
Before Morning
This one is for all the kids who go to bed wishing for a snow day in the morning. The scratchboard art in this one is stunning.
Bunny Slopes
This is a really fun interactive book. Help bunny make it down the ski slopes and around all the obstacles in his path.
Here Comes Jack Frost
A little lonely boy wishes for a friend and ends up with Jack Frost to keep him company. It's darling!
When the Snow Falls
A sweet story, told in lyrical verse, about two kids and a snow day with their grandparents. It's such a cozy little book to read aloud together.
Lines
This book is wordless, but it tells a wonderful story. Follow along as an ice skater makes graceful lines across the pages . . . until she falls. See what happens next. I think this book is genius!
The Biggest Snowman Ever
The town is having a snowman contest! Clayton and Desmond (the beloved mice from Steven Kroll's pumpkin book) are both determined to make the biggest snowman ever. Another fun one from a beloved author.
Snow
A magical story all about Snow! Cynthia Rylant is truly the master of children's picture books. Don't miss this one.
Best in Snow
Another book of gorgeous photo illustrations from April Sayre! This book is absolutely enchanting.
The Three Snow Bears
Aloo-ki, an Inuit girl, meets a polar bear family while trying to rescue her sled dogs. It's an unlikely friendship, but it makes for a wonderful story.
The Snowbear
When Iggy and Martina wake up to snow, they are excited to make a snowman. But when they're done, it looks more like a Snow Bear. And it's good thing too, because a snow bear might just help them out of a tricky situation. This one is all about imagination -a fun read!
The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice
We read this excellent non-fiction book about the winter solstice every year when solstice rolls around. It's so well done!
All Right Already!: A Snowy Story
Duck is so excited about a snow day! Bear, however, is less excited. He'd rather stay inside and keep cozy. But, as you can imagine, duck is persistent. Another book that will inspire giggles.
Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story
A child and his grandmother are taking a walk, observing how the earth and all of its animals go to sleep for winter. Not only is it a lovely seasonal read, it makes a great bedtime story too. Plus, it has really beautiful illustrations.
The Tea Party in the Woods
Kikko sets out through a winter forest to take a pie to her grandmother, but on the way something magical happens. You'll enjoy this enchanting tea party in the woods!
Snowball Moon
There's something extra magical about snow at night when it's all lit up by the glow of the moon. This one captures all of that so well!
Winter Dance
Snow is coming and all of the animals are getting ready for winter. Squirrel hides his nuts, the geese fly south, and the rabbit grows a new coat of hair. But what does the fox do? You'll have to read to find out. This is such a good one!
The Little Snowplow
All of the big trucks on the mighty mountain road crew look down on the little snow plow. It takes a real blizzard for the the little snow plow to show them what he can do. This one is great in all the same ways that Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel are great.
Max and Marla
Max and Marla are confident aspiring Olympians! They're prepared to train hard and overcome all the obstacles. But what they really learn here is that winning isn't everything.
The Snow Globe Family
This is a quirky little book about a family that lives inside a snow globe. They just want it to snow, but they're stuck waiting for someone to pick up the snow globe and shake it. It's a fun read.
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Paige Cassandra Flamm says
Ten on the sled is a favorite in our home! I'm going to have to get some of these on our library holds!
Carrie Pearson says
Lovely list! I’d like to share another called A Warm Winter Tail (Arbordale) about how animals adapt to cold wintery weather beautifully illustrated by Christina Wald.