Winter children’s books are a bright light during cold winter days and dark winter nights. Kids love reading seasonal books but winter books have a special quality that make you want to read all day long with a steaming cup of hot cocoa overflowing with marshmallows. You’ll see each of these children’s books about winter are gorgeous and instant classics. I hope you find a few books you’ve never heard of to add to your holiday book collection this winter.

Here are my picks for winter children’s picture books that will instantly become classics in your home.

Stick Man –  Julia Donaldson

The story follows the life of Stick Man as he is taken away from his family. Just as it looks as though Stick Man’s days are numbered, as he is placed on a fireplace, he is rescued by Santa, who helps him find his way back home.

The Gruffalo’s Child – Julia Donaldson

The Gruffalo’s Child sets out to find the big bad mouse from her father’s story in a cold winter night. She meets a few characters along the way but does she meet the big bad mouse?

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree –  Robert Barry

Mr. Willowby has an enormous Christmas tree delivered to his house but cannot fit the entire tree inside. He chops off the top of the tree and gives it away. The tree top makes it way through many homes and spreads holiday cheer along the way.

The Tea Party in the Woods – Akiko Miyakoshi

Kikko realizes her father has forgotten the pie he was supposed to bring to grandma’s house. Kikko sets out through the woods to deliver the pie and stumbles upon a tea party with woodland animals dressed in fancy clothes. The animals invite her in to the party and finally escort her safely to grandma’s house.

A Wish to Be A Christmas Tree – Colleen Monroe

An overgrown pine tree’s only wish has been to be a Christmas tree but it has never come true. Sensing his sadness, the pine tree’s woodland friends help him to discover the importance of being appreciated all year long.

The Tomten – Astrid Lindgren

Like a secret keeper, the Tomten completes his lonely rounds to the farm’s various buildings–soothing the animals by giving them pleasant dreams of future spring and summer, some straw or a midnight snack.

Sleep Tight Farm – Eugenie Doyle

A beautiful depiction of what it’s like to put a farm to sleep for the winter. The book teaches us what winter means for the farm and the family that has nurtured the land through all four seasons.

Night Tree – Eve Bunting

A boy and his family visit their favorite tree in the forest to decorate it for the holiday. They cover the tree with with animal friendly decorations and sit back to watch the magic.

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter – Kenard Pak

A brother and sister walk through the woods and acknowledge all the signs that winter is coming. On their trek they say goodbye to fall and hello to winter.

Owl Moon – Jane Yolen

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go out looking for owls. They travel silently through the woods hoping to see a gorgeous owl in the moonlight.

Brave Irene – William Steig

Irene travels through a winter storm to deliver a dress her mother has custom made for the Duchess. The storm gives her quite an adventure as she pushes on.

Over and Under the Snow – Kate Messner

This book shows the tunnels and caves underground that keep many kinds of animals safe though the winter. Gorgeous illustrations and excellent information about hibernation and nature.

The Twelve Days of Christmas – Laurel Long

Jan Brett’s Christmas Treasury – Jan Brett

Pick a Pine Tree – Patricia Toht