Make some hot chocolate, snuggle up with your little kiddos, and read these great winter season books! These are some of the best books about all things winter, Christmas, Hannukah, New Years, Valentine’s, and more!
(You can always find these books at your local library for free. However, if you choose to purchase them, you can support your local bookstores (and this blog) from the affiliate links below.)
Chase Away the Winter Blues
This silly winter-time picture book is about how some cute fluffy yetis cope with the cold of winter. It’s a great book to pull out on the coldest days in the depths of winter!
Habitats
This book is a favorite for many. It covers so many creatures that you would find hibernating or searching for food under the snow. The illustrations offer a great perspective for the children to see what is usually not visible under the blanket of snow. It reads like a fiction book but I would classify it as non-fiction.
Patterns
This classic and boldly illustrated book stands the test of time. As a little boy explores his snow covered urban neighborhood, you can hear the crunch of his steps. He experiments with making different tracks and patterns in the snow.
Beautiful Photographs
Best in Snow features beautiful photographs of natural winter scenes. This book would be a great book to display on your Montessori shelfs when learning about winter.
Sensorial
Ten Ways to Hear Snow, is the story of a girl’s walk to her Sitti’s (Sitti is grandmother in Lebanese) house after a blizzard and the sounds she experiences along the way. This counting book would pair great with a sensorial activity, or before going outside to play in the snow.
Community
“The Ninth Night of Hanukkah,” by Erica S. Perl is a story about a brother and sister who have moved into a new apartment during Hanukkah. However, their box containing all the things they need to celebrate has not arrived yet. Instead of letting their holiday be ruined, they find creative ways to celebrate. They end up making lots of new friends along the way to share in the festivities.
Cultural Learning
This picture book by Gloria Koster is a great wintertime book that adapts the Little Red Riding Hood story into a Hannukah adventure. You could make some latkes to go along with it.
Another Story of Community
This is a cute story of Santa when he was a child before he became the big guy at Christmas. With the help from a few friends, Santa is able to get his family out of a desperate situation.
Family Traditions
This wintertime picture book is about how some little brown bear cubs enjoying baking wintertime treats with their Grandma. It will get you in the mood for baking, old traditions, and treasuring time with grandparents.
Imagination
This Christmas tale by Julia Donaldson has a short film version on Prime. It’s the story of the struggles and long journey of a stick man who is mistaken as many different stick objects. Sticks (and boxes) can be used in so many different ways. You could have an “invitation to create” table with a display of different types of sticks, pictures of different items that are made from sticks, and other craft items. Sit back and watch what creations they make!
Gift Giving
Most parents probably understand the stresses of all the gift preparation leading up until Christmas can almost ruin the spirit of the holiday. This cute book helps children understand that helping others is an important aspect of the holiday.
Winter Solstice or New Years
This book has an ancient ethereal vibe with its beautiful illustrations and words. You could read this when discussing how seasons change while the earth rotates around the sun. You could also talk about starting a fresh new year and what resolutions they wish to make.
Love grows
This adorable rhyming book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is the perfect book to read around Valentine’s Day. You could discuss how a plant grows from a seed and why the little girl in the story would plant a kiss.
Comforting Others
This book is hilarious! This is another perfect book to read around Valentine’s Day. Hugs are a great way to show love (as long as you ask for consent first of course).
Grace and Courtesy
The Nice Book is a great book for young toddlers learning appropriate ways to treat others. This would be another Valentine’s Day book idea that shows how you can be kind.
More books to check out!
