10 children's books to read this winter
- Children's Bookshelf
- Dec 11, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 11
A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson, follows Tortoise who is perfectly content to curl up and sleep through another long winter... or so he thinks.
Every year, he hibernates while his friends enjoy snowy days, ice and laughter. But this winter is different! Tortoise’s forest friends make it their mission to wake him up and show him all the frosty fun he’s been missing. From singing and snowball games to unexpected thrills like sliding down a snowy hill, Tortoise begins to realize that winter might be full of surprises after all.
This cheerful picture book gently weaves themes of friendship, curiosity, and stepping outside your comfort zone. The lovable animals will charm little listeners, while bold sound effects and playful scenes make it fun to read aloud.
A wonderful book inspired by ancient Basque lore about winter, nature, and the comforting promise that light always returns.
The Light of the Winter Solstice by Florian Eizaguirre follows Zuri and her friends as autumn fades and the days grow shorter. With the cold setting in and firewood running low, they discover help in unexpected and magical ways. This story gently explores seasonal change and encourages children to slow down, observe nature, and find comfort in community. The message is reassuring and timeless even in the darkest days, hope and warmth are never far away.
Perfect for ages 4 to 8 and a beautiful read aloud during winter, especially around the solstice. Definitely worth checking out for classrooms and cozy storytime moments.
A cute story with a good message. Great for those kids that have troubles making friends.
It’s about a young girl that has this problem and is quite lonely. When she meets a snowman made of magic friendship snow she finally has a friend. Beautifully illustrated and with a message like this, I think it’s more than just another winter book... The Magic of Friendship Snow by Andi Cann is a great choice all year round.
If you’re looking for a calming and beautifully illustrated bedtime read for this time of year, this is a great choice. Snow by Walter de la Mare is also part of a great series called 4 seasons.
Here’s a wonderful book about working together and slowing down to notice the magic of nature.
Bright Winter Night by Alli Brydon invites young readers into a quiet, snowy forest where something special is about to happen. One by one, woodland animals big and small emerge from the trees, sensing there’s an important task to do. The story unfolds gently through rhyming text, encouraging children to observe rather than rush. Despite their differences, the animals cooperate to build something together using what the forest provides.
The reveal is lovely... they’ve created a sled so they can travel together and witness the northern lights. The message of friendship, teamwork, and shared wonder feels natural and heartfelt. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful creating a calm, cozy atmosphere that feels perfect for winter reading.
This book is best suited for ages 3–7 and works especially well as a winter read-aloud for classrooms or families looking for a seasonal story, that isn’t tied to a specific holiday. Overall, this is a gentle, thoughtfully written book that celebrates community, nature and the beauty of the natural world. Highly recommend checking this one out!
Here’s a wonderful picture book that celebrates winter not as something to endure, but as something to cherish!
In Winter’s Gifts by Kaitlin B. Curtice, An Indigenous girl named Dani teaches her friends that the season’s true treasures... rest, remembrance, and gratitude are gifts from the earth and Creator. With absolutely stunning illustrations and excellent storytelling, this book helps you slow down, notice the beauty around us, and makes the reader a little more appreciative of the quiet wonders of winter.
Perfect for bedtime, thanks to the gentle tone and amazing illustrations. This book really stood out to me, I can't recommend this book enough. Definitly a must have!
Walking in a Winter Wonderland brings the classic holiday song to life with beautiful illustrations and a cozy sense of togetherness.
As a family of five make their way through a snowy forest, they spot woodland animals, build a snowman, toss snowballs, and take in all the simple wonders of the season. Musical notes float across the pages, gently reminding readers that this story is meant to be sung as much as it’s meant to be read, they almost make you hear the song as you turn the pages.
Nostalgic for parents and a great introduction to a seasonal classic, this is one you can share year after year. Highly recommend.
About 2 kids that walk through town and basically say goodbye to Autumn and welcome Winter. It’s a really relaxing book that makes for a soothing bedtime read with lovely illustrations.
Buzzy Friends are back with another great holiday book!! Follow the adorable Buzzy characters as they learn all about Christmas, everything is covered from the origin of the holiday, to opening gifts, eating a turkey feast, Santa comes... they even get to play in the snow, make a snowman and it's all written in rhyme making it great for a read aloud. It’s a wonderful addition to your usual Christmas book lineup.
The Buzzy books are available exclusively on their website.
Here’s a wonderful book about courage, hard work, and believing in yourself…
On the Mighty Mountain Road Crew, all the trucks come in one size... BIG. Then one day, a brand new snowplow arrives. He's small, steady, and full of heart. The bigger trucks don’t think he can handle tough storms and tease him for his size. But the plucky little snowplow knows he can do it. He trains hard, pushing gravel, hauling blocks, and doing plow lifts, just to be ready for the day he can prove himself.
A blizzard finally blows in and the roads are buried in deep snow, the littlest truck shows everyone what he’s made of. He braves the storm, helps free his friends, and clears the way with determination and grit. The other trucks learn that sometimes the smallest among us can do the biggest things.
If you're looking for a heart warming picture book that celebrates the underdog... The Little Snowplow by Lora Koehler should be on your list!
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