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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bri
October 20, 2020 5:25 pmYou always have the best seasonal book recommendations for my kiddos!
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 3:07 pmThank you! We love seasonal books here!
Ngozi
October 20, 2020 8:04 pmThis is a wide range of books. Thank you for sharing.
Leah
October 21, 2020 10:31 amWow! This is a fantastic list. There were so many that I’ve not heard of before. We always place a basket of books under our Christmas tree for kids to read during the holiday season. I’m excited to have some new books to add. Thanks so much for sharing!
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 3:07 pmThat’s an awesome seasonal book tradition! Winter books for kids are the best!
Diana
October 21, 2020 2:35 pmI haven’t heard of any of these! Will have to get some for my daughter!
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 3:08 pmYay! My goal was to include lesser known winter books for kids!
Angeline
October 22, 2020 7:46 pmI love how timely this is. I will check out the “A Wish to be A Christmas Tree” as it teaches an important lesson.
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 3:09 pmYes! I love that book during the winter time. It’s so sweet.
Samantha Laycock
November 2, 2020 5:04 pmThank you. Some of these books I have never heard of.
Phoebe
November 2, 2020 6:40 pmGreat list! I’m looking for Christmas books for my kids.
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 3:09 pmAwesome! I hope you’ll pick up a few of these winter books!
Chris
November 2, 2020 10:44 pmI love these — a favorite similar to these is The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston. We also love The Night Tree. Good picks! Here are some of my favorite Christmas books: https://techsavvyhomeschool.com/2018/12/10/christmas-books-stand-test-time/
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 3:09 pmGreat list of christmas books for kids! Thanks for sharing.
Sarah Miller - Homeschooling 4 Him
November 3, 2020 1:36 amJan Brett’s “The Mitten” is one of my favorite children’s books of all time! The illustrations are gorgeous! I’m excited to check out some of the others on this list!
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 3:10 pmYes! We love Jan Brett in my house. We wrote her a letter last year and she wrote back!
Krystal Miller
November 3, 2020 3:36 amWe love Tea Party in the Woods. It’s one of our favorites.
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 3:10 pmIt’s such a beautiful winter book! The illustrations are gorgeous!
Sonia Seivwright
November 3, 2020 11:25 ammy daughter would love Pick a pine tree and Brave Irene.
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 3:11 pmBoth great winter book choices. My daughters love Brave Irene!
Gervin Khan
November 3, 2020 12:30 pmThese are great recommendations and I am pretty sure , my daughter will enjoy reading this book. Thanks!
Shayla Marie
November 3, 2020 4:14 pmI saved this post, I want all these books for our children’s library!
melissabasileo
November 3, 2020 6:42 pmWoo! I’m glad I could give you some solid winter books ideas for your kids!
Kimmy
November 3, 2020 7:48 pmI am going to have to get some of these for my kids!
Fatima D Torres
November 3, 2020 9:19 pmI’m loving these suggestions for the kiddos. We love reading at night.
Marjie Mare
November 4, 2020 3:41 amI would love to get these books for my niece.