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As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, there’s something enchanting about the arrival of winter. It’s the season of snowflakes, hot cocoa, and cozy moments spent by the fireplace.
What better way to celebrate this magical time of year than with a collection of heartwarming winter books for kids?
In this blog post, we’ll explore 11 delightful books about winter, perfect for children of all ages. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just a lover of stories, these books will help you and your little ones embrace the chill and find warmth in the world of reading.
Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Winter?
- 11 Winter Books For Children
- What Winter Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Winter?
Books play a vital role in introducing children to the magic of winter. They help create a sense of wonder and curiosity about the season, its traditions, and the importance of embracing the beauty of cold, snowy days.
Winter books for kids capture the essence of the season, from the beauty of snow-covered landscapes to the joy of winter activities. These books offer children a glimpse into the unique wonders of winter and its many facets, from holidays to nature’s transformations.
How To Use Winter Books with Children
- Careful Selection of Books: Choose books that are age-appropriate and focus on various aspects of winter, such as snow, winter holidays, winter animals, or winter sports.
- Interactive Reading Sessions: Engage children with the story by using different voices for characters, asking questions, and encouraging predictions about what will happen next.
- Discuss and Reflect: After reading, discuss the story with the children. Ask them what they liked, didn’t like, or what they learned from the story.
- Connect to Real Life: Relate the story to real-life winter experiences. If the book is about snow, talk about times they have played in the snow.
- Craft Activities: Plan crafts that relate to the theme of the book. For instance, if the book is about snowflakes, you could make paper snowflakes together.
- Sensory Play: If the story involves elements like snow or ice, use sensory bins with materials that mimic these (like cotton balls for snow) for tactile exploration.
11 Winter Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 “Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter” by Kenard Pak
In “Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter,” a brother and sister embark on a walk through their town, engaging with the natural world as they observe the transition from autumn to winter. They converse with elements of nature, like trees, animals, and the weather, marking the seasonal change.
This book introduces children to the beauty of seasonal change, emphasizing the importance of observing and respecting nature. It can help foster a sense of curiosity and connection with the environment. Children will learn about the different aspects of autumn and winter, such as animal behaviors, changes in plants, and weather patterns. The book encourages observation and appreciation of the natural world.
- Activity Idea: Make a weather chart to record daily weather changes and discuss how these relate to the seasons.
- Questions To Ask:
- Can you name some changes that happen when winter comes?
- How do you think the animals prepare for winter?
#2 “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner
This book explores the hidden world beneath the snow, where various animals, including squirrels, snow hares, bears, and bullfrogs, reside during winter. A child skis over the snow, narrating both her experiences and the secret lives of these animals.
It’s an excellent way to introduce children to animal behaviors in winter and the concept of the subnivean zone (area between the ground and snow cover). Kids will learn about different animals’ winter habits and the unique ecosystem that exists under the snow.
- Activity Idea: Create dioramas showing animal habitats under the snow.
- Questions To Ask:
- What animals live under the snow, and why?
- How does the snow help animals survive in winter?
#3 “The Mitten” by Jan Brett
Based on a Ukrainian folktale, this story follows Nicki, a young boy who loses a white mitten in the snow. Unbeknownst to him, various woodland animals find and take shelter in the mitten. The story culminates in a humorous climax as more and more animals squeeze into the mitten.
The story teaches about sharing and caring for others, as well as the importance of keeping track of personal belongings. Children will learn about different woodland animals and their sizes relative to each other.
- Activity Idea: Have children decorate their own paper mittens with animal stickers.
- Questions To Ask:
- Which animal do you think was the bravest for going into the mitten first?
- What would you do if you found a lost mitten?
#4 “Curious About Snow” by Gina Shaw
This book delves into the science of snow, including the formation of snowflakes, the history of significant snowstorms, and ways people enjoy snow. It features full-color photographs and Wilson Bentley’s famous snowflake photos.
It’s a great resource for introducing basic meteorological concepts and fostering a scientific curiosity about weather phenomena. Children will gain knowledge about the scientific aspects of snow, including how snowflakes form and why blizzards occur.
- Activity Idea: Create paper snowflakes and compare patterns, discussing snowflake symmetry.
- Questions To Ask:
- Why do you think snowflakes have different shapes?
- What makes each snowflake unique?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#5 “Ten Ways to Hear Snow” by Cathy Camper
In this book, Lina explores her surroundings on a snowy day, discovering ten ways to experience the quiet world around her. The story is set against the backdrop of a modern Arab American family and emphasizes mindfulness and empathy.
It teaches children to be observant and mindful of their environment, promoting sensory awareness and appreciation of nature’s subtle changes. Children will learn about different sounds and sensations associated with snow, enhancing their sensory experiences and understanding of winter.
- Activity Idea: Have children create a map of their neighborhood and mark where they hear different sounds.
- Questions To Ask:
- Can you think of different sounds you might hear in the snow?
- How does the world change when it snows?
#6 “Sneezy the Snowman” by Maureen Wright
This rhyming story follows Sneezy the Snowman, who is always cold and tries various ways to warm up, only to melt each time. The children help rebuild him and find ways to keep him at the right temperature.
The book offers a fun and humorous story that teaches about problem-solving and kindness. Children learn about the physical properties of snow and ice, and how different temperatures affect them.
- Activity Idea: Experiment with ice and snow to see how different conditions cause melting.
- Questions To Ask:
- Why does Sneezy keep melting?
- How did the children help Sneezy?
#7 “The Giving Snowman” by Julia Zheng
This story centers around themes of kindness and gratitude, where instead of children, a group of woodland creatures help a melted snowman. It promotes the virtue of giving to others and connects it to a sense of community and beauty.
It encourages children to think about generosity, empathy, and the importance of helping others. Kids learn about the value of kindness and how small acts of giving can make a big difference.
- Activity Idea: Learn about animals that live in the snow and how they help each other.
- Questions To Ask:
- What does it mean to be kind?
- How can you be a giving person like the snowman?
#8 “Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner
This imaginative story reveals a whimsical secret: snowmen come to life at night, having various adventures. It combines witty verse and charming illustrations to depict the snowmen’s escapades.
It sparks creativity and imagination in children, encouraging them to think about the magical possibilities of the world around them. Kids learn about storytelling, imagination, and the fun aspects of winter and snow.
- Activity Idea: Have kids create their own stories about what snowmen do at night.
- Questions To Ask:
- What do you think snowmen do at night?
- Can you imagine a new adventure for a snowman?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#9 “Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story” by Sean Taylor
This cozy bedtime story follows a child and his grandma through a winter landscape, exploring how the Earth and its creatures hibernate for winter. It includes information on hibernation habits of various animals.
The book offers a gentle introduction to the concept of hibernation and the changes that occur in nature during winter. Children learn about different animals’ hibernation habits and how nature adapts to the colder months.
- Activity Idea: Create cozy spaces or dens that mimic animal hibernation.
- Questions To Ask:
- What is hibernation and why do animals do it?
- Can you name some animals that hibernate?
#10 “Snowflake Bentley” by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
The story is about Wilson Bentley, the first known snowflake photographer, who had a lifelong passion for snowflakes. His scientific vision and perseverance are portrayed through engaging narrative and woodcut illustrations.
It introduces children to scientific inquiry and the beauty of nature, encouraging curiosity and observation. Kids will learn about the uniqueness of snowflakes and the dedication required for scientific discovery.
- Activity Idea: If available, use a microscope to examine snowflakes or other small objects.
- Questions To Ask:
- What made Snowflake Bentley special?
- Why are all snowflakes different?
#11 “Blizzard” by John Rocco
“Blizzard” is based on the author’s childhood experience during the Blizzard of 1978 in Rhode Island. The story narrates a young boy’s resourcefulness as he and his family endure a monumental blizzard.
This book teaches about resilience, resourcefulness, and family cooperation during challenging situations. Children will understand the impact of severe weather and the importance of community and helping others.
- Activity Idea: Discuss and create a plan for what to do during a blizzard.
- Questions To Ask:
- How did the boy in the story help during the blizzard?
- What would you do if you experienced a big snowstorm?
What Winter Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Winter is a season of wonder, and these winter books for kids bring that wonder to life. Whether it’s the classic tale of The Mitten, the magical world of Snowmen At Night, or the real-life story of Snowflake Bentley, these books capture the essence of winter and the joy of reading during this cozy season. So, bundle up, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and embark on a snowy adventure through the pages of these enchanting books.
So, which books are you going to read later? Or, do you have any other suggestions? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and let me know.
Bye for now!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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