The start of winter can be a beautiful time of year. These winter books for kids are a great way to explore the season. You can find more of our book lists here. For seasons, you can find fall books for kids here. The world is covered in snow and icy crystals, animals are snuggled up in their cozy homes, and people are celebrating various holidays. It’s the perfect time of year to curl up with your family and enjoy some reading time. This list of winter books for kids celebrates all the signs of winter, and these books are perfect for sharing!
20 Winter Books for Kids
Board Books
Baby Loves Winter! was written and illustrated by Karen Katz. This fun lift the flap board book follows Baby as she explores the sights of winter. The text is simple, using a question and answer format, and the illustrations are large and colorful, with easy flaps for little ones to explore.
Touch and Feel Winter by Scholastic Early Learners is a fun board book full of winter items. Each page has a fun texture for little hands to explore, and the large, colorful illustrations and photographs will capture the attention of little readers.
Mouse’s First Snow was written by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Buket Erdogan. This cute book follows Mouse and Poppa as they venture out on a snowy day to play. The simple text uses fun action words to engage little ones, and the illustrations are vibrant and colorful, bringing these adorable mice to life.
No Two Alike was written and illustrated by Keith Baker. This beautifully illustrated poetic tale follows two birds as they fly through snowflake filled skies and discover that everything is unique. The snow filled landscapes are full of colors and textures, and the simple lyrical text is fun to read aloud.
Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons was written by Il Sung Na. This vibrantly illustrated story introduces young readers to the wintertime habits of different animals and birds. The gentle text introduces hibernation and migration, and the vivid illustrations use whimsical patterns and bright colors to engage the reader.
Fiction Picture Books
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter was written and illustrated by Kenard Pak. This beautiful book explores the changes that happen around us as autumn turns to winter. The story follows a young brother and sister as they have conversations with the animals and nature around them. The illustrations are beautiful, using color palettes that highlight the seasonal changes.
The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice was written by Wendy Pfeffer and illustrated by Jesse Reisch. This book explores the shorter days of the winter season. The descriptive text is easy to read, sharing how the seasonal changes affect animals and people. The illustrations are soft and inviting, and bursting with vivid colors. This is a great introduction to the winter solstice and shorter days.
Winter Is Coming was written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Jim LaMarche. This beautifully illustrated book follows a young girl as she ventures into the woods and notices the changes occurring in nature around her. The lyrical text is paired with gorgeous illustrations that are bursting with vivid colors and details.
Grandmother Winter was written by Phyllis Root and illustrated by Beth Krommes. This folktale follows Grandmother Winter as she cares for her snow white flock of geese through all the seasons of the year. She gathers their feathers and makes a quilt, then shakes it to create a beautiful snowfall. The story is complemented by bold scratchboard illustrations.
Winter Is Here was written by Kevin Henkes and illustrated by Laura Dronzek. This celebration of the winter season uses a simple soothing text and lush illustrations to celebrate the beautiful sights that winter can bring.
Over and Under the Snow was written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Join a girl and her father as they go skiing in the woods and discuss the world beneath the snow under them, and the animals who live there. The illustrations are done in a retro style, using bright whites and blues to depict the snowy environment.
In November was written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Jill Kastner. November brings lots of changes to the world. As animals prepare for winter and the trees start to change, the world begins transitioning to the new season. The calming text is accompanied by beautiful illustrations that use vivid colors and textures to showcase the changes in nature.
Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter was written by Eugenie Doyle and illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. Follow a family as they prepare their farm for winter. The text provides lots of information about farm life and the work that needs to be done to get the crops and animals ready for winter. The colorful illustrations are full of details and lovely scenes of farm life.
Winter Dance was written by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Richard Jones. As the other animals in the woods prepare for winter, the fox isn’t sure what to do. He listens to the advice of the other animals, but eventually finds his own way to welcome winter. The accompanying illustrations are soft and colorful, highlighting the vibrant colors of fall and the beauty of winter.
When Winter Comes was written by Nancy Van Laan and illustrated by Susan Gaber. This rhyming story explores all of the changes that happen as fall changes to winter. The illustrations paired with the rhyming text are full of deep colors and varied textures.
It’s Winter! (Celebrate the Seasons!) was written by Susan Swan and illustrated by Linda Glaser. This fun and energetic story follows a young girl as she ventures out to experience the coming winter weather. The text is full of peppy rhymes, and the words zig zag across the images. The illustrations are created out of beautiful paper artwork, bringing the joy of winter right off of the page.
Non-Fiction Picture Books
Animals in Winter (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science) was written by Henrietta Bancroft and Richard G. Van Gelder and illustrated by Helen K. Davie. This colorful book is a great introduction to the habits of various animals during the winter season. The text is easy to understand, and full of interesting information, while the illustrations are engaging and detailed.
Snow Is Falling (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1) was written by Dr. Franklyn M. Branley and illustrated by Holly Keller. This easy to read book is full of factual information about snow. The text celebrates all of the beauty and fun that snow brings, while also exploring the ways that snow can be both helpful and dangerous.
Curious About Snow (Smithsonian) was written by Gina Shaw. This informative book provides the reader with lots of scientific facts about the science of snow. The text is easy to read and paired with large, clear photographs that show the beauty of snow.
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder was written by Mark Cassino and Jon Nelson, Ph.D. and illustrated by Nora Aoyagi. This book is a great introduction to snow and the science behind it. The clear text is paired with simple diagrams and large, clear photographs of snow crystals. Kids will love the chance to check out snow crystals up close.
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