22 Cool Children’s Books About Winter
With each new season, we, at Beyond the Bookends, rotate our kids’ books. Think of it like a seasonal closet rotation but with books. If you are looking for children’s books about winter, we have gathered our favorites for you in one place. Between the two of us, we have five kids who have loved and experienced all things winter!
We love different things about each of these books. Some are funny, some are amazing at helping develop vocabulary, some will help with reading readiness, and all of them will allow quality time while reading together.
Winter is an especially good time to have an arsenal of books ready- in your purse, by the bed, or just about anywhere- to help chase away the long nights and cold days. We hope you love our list of kids’ winter books. If we forgot your favorite, be sure to let us know what we should add!
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Children’s Books about Winter for Toddlers and Babies
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
We love Bear and we love this adorable children’s book about winter. As Bear hibernates for the winter, his friends come to see him in his warm lair to cozy up. As they start to make food and drink tea, they wait for Bear to wake up from his long winter nap.
No Two Alike by Keith Baker
In this adorable rhyming book, two birds fly through beautiful winter scenery to examine all the rocks, snowprints, and snowflakes. There are no two alike. This is the perfect first book about winter for your little one.
Winter Lullaby by Diane White
This is a beautiful bedtime book that is written with a wonderful cadence and rhyme. Baby bear does not want to go to sleep. As Mamma Bear explains how all the other animals will go to sleep for winter, she brings her baby to their den to hibernate.
Snow Dancer by Addie Boswell
In this beautifully illustrated Children’s book about winter, Sofia goes outside to dance in the snow during a snow day. The world is a beautiful white wonderland that is waiting for Sofia to play and dance with new young friends. It is filled with onomatopoeia.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
The Snowy Day is a Caldecott Winner for a reason. This classic book about winter depicts a boy exploring his city neighborhood after a snowstorm. It’s the perfect book for a 3-year-old when it’s snowing outside.
Children’s Books about Winter: Picture Books
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
This is a wonderfully illustrated book about the transition from autumn to winter. I love the description of the falling leaves and the late-blooming flowers before the world comes to rest in winter. The words are lyrical and the illustrations are lovely in this pick from children’s books about winter.
Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
This pick from kids’ winter books is the winner of the 2018 Caldecott Medal. It is an example of a wordless picture book that tells a beautiful story of a girl lost in a snowstorm who comes across a baby wolf. She puts the well-being of the wolf before her own and her kindness is repaid.
Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda
This book about winter is fun and interactive. As you Shake, tap, and tilt the book, you can help Bunny go skiing. This book is completely adorable and trust me when I say kids never get tired of trying to get that bunny down the hill!
Find this book in children’s books about winter / Interactive Books For Kids / Bunny Books
Appropriate for ages 2-5 years
Winter is Here by Kevin Henkes
This picture book is filled with the best descriptions of the sights, smells, and sounds of winter. If you are looking for children’s books about winter that will also help grow your little one’s vocabulary and imagination, this is a wonderful pick!
The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll
In this adorable children’s book about winter, Clayton and Desmond are competing in the contest for the biggest snowman ever. As they compete against each other, they realize that teamwork is the way to win. This is a cute book with a sweet message.
Snow by Uri Shelovitz
This Caldecott Honor book is so simple in its story in which a boy and his dog delight in waiting for the snow to fall. While nobody else thinks it will snow, the boy and his dog and appreciate the beauty. This book about winter is beautifully written and illustrated.
The Little Red Sleigh by Eric Guendelsberger
Little Red Sleigh longs to be Santa’s sleigh so she sets out one winter to find the North Pole. As she travels she makes new friends along the way.
While she didn’t make it to the North Pole for Christmas, she did get an invitation to visit Santa up at the North Pole the next year. You can also find this sweet winter book on our list of Christmas Books for Kids.
Classic Children’s Books About Winter
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Nicki really wants snow white mittens and convinces is baba to knit him a pair. When he accidentally drops one in the snow, they look so cozy that a mole, a rabbit, and many more animals snuggle into the warm woolen mitten. This is a classic pick from children’s books about winter and definitely one of our favroties.
Plot
The pictures depict a tale of a little boy who goes to check on his snowman one night. When he sees his snowman outside in the cold, he decides to invite him in. What happens next is a magical adventure you and your child will adore.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you are looking for kids’ winter books, this is a gorgeous wordless story. I loved to let my boys “read” this one to me.
Find this book in: Children’s Books about Winter / Best Christmas Books for Toddlers / Wordless Picture Books
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
This Coldacott-winning children’s book about winter is a beautiful story about a girl and her father who are owling one winter night. There is so much depth to this picture book that is written so poetically and not only looks at the girl’s relationship with her father, but also their relationship with nature.
Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
This winter book is unique in that all the illustrations are collages. Paper, buttons and other objects make these pages look textured and 3D. If you are not inspired to build a snowman when you are done this timeless classic, we would be shocked!
White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt
This classic kids’ winter book is a Caldecott Medal Winner and it is still around for a reason. The writing is poetic and the illustrations are detailed. Some of the references are hilarious- like a mustard pack on your chest to prevent a cold- but the wonder and joy of the snow remain timeless.
Children’s Books about Winter: Chapter Books
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater
This Newberry Honor book is a classic. Originally published in 1938, it tells the story of a painter who finds himself in a house full of penguins.
This hilarious tale is sure to keep the kids entertained. It is funny and sweet and has withheld the test of time.
Find this book in Best Classic Books for Kids / Read Aloud Children’s Books / Children’s Books About Winter
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Author: C. S. Lewis
Year: 1950
Genre: Classic Children’s Fantasy
Age: 6 – 10
More info: Chronicles of Narnia #2
Plot
When four children discover a secret passage from a wardrobe into the Land of Narnia, they find a land enslaved by the White Witch. They find friends, enemies, and magic in this book that has withstood the test of time. Just when things are dire, the Great Lion, Aslan, makes his return setting off a series of events that spans several books.
Trigger Warnings
War
Why Jackie loves it
The iconic book is actually the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia Series. However, since the first book is technically a prequel, I consider this the first and it can be read independently of the rest of the books in the series.
Find this book in: Witch Books for Kids / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Classic Kids Books / Children’s Books About Winter / Christmas Chapter Books
The Golden Compass
Author: Philip Pullman
Year: 1995
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 10 – 12
More info: His Dark Materials #1
Plot
Lyra lives in a world where all humans have animal familiars and parallel universes are all within reach. When Lyra’s best friend Roger is taken North by gobblers, she sets off to find him and bring him home. With the help of an armored bear, Lyra is determined on her quest but what she doesn’t know could kill her.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death, Kidnapping
Why Jackie loves it
I read this fantasy book for tweens years ago and it stayed with me. As the name suggests, it is dark and probably not for kids who get scared easily.
Find this book in: Fantasy Books for Tweens / Full Cast Audio / Children’s Books About Winter
Winterhouse
Author: Ben Guterson
Year: 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery / Fantasy
Age: 9 – 13
More info: Edgar Award Finalist, Agatha Award Finalist
Plot
Elizabeth is an orphan whose aunt and uncle have shipped her to Winterhouse for the Christmas holiday. There, she meets the owner, Norbridge Falls, and learns secrets about his slightly evil family. Along the way, she meets another child guest – Freddy – and becomes fast friends with him. Together, they unlock codes and solve puzzles. The best part is that the first page of each chapter has a mini puzzle for readers to complete.
Why Kirsten loves it
My boys and I like to listen to books together in the car or when doing a puzzle. The standout book for me this month was Winterhouse. This middle grade mystery was as enthralling to me as it was to my children. I loved the slight bits of magic in the story and the captivating setting of an expansive ski hotel on a snowy mountain at Christmas time.
Find this book in: Paranormal Books / Books for a 10-Year-Old / Books About Puzzles / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Hotel Novels / Christmas Chapter Books
I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888 by Lauren Tarshis
If you are looking for Kids’ winter books, it doesn’t get more wintery than this book. In 1888 a frozen hurricane hit the midwest and buried people in more than 10 feet of snow in a matter of hours!
John is a city kid who does not want to be in the prairies but he will have to use all his smarts to survive.
Which are your favorite children’s books about winter?
The Best Book Lists by Age for 2023
If you are looking for more amazing book lists, we have the best lists sorted by age.
