11 Cozy Winter Picture Books

It really depends on who you ask in my family when it comes to winter and snow. My husband hates the cold and equates the snow with shoveling out, ice dams, and slipping on black ice. My kids take a more joyful view of snow. It’s no school snow days spent sledding down hills, snowball fights, and hot chocolate with mini marshmallows.

PickyKidPix and her friend Helena catch snowflakes on their tongues during their first snow in kindergarten. 

To put a happy face on the cold, my husband has opted for cozy and comforting home cooking. Our menu changes from grilling to long-simmered soups and stews. For making winter cozier no matter what weather you are experiencing, try these cozy winter snow books with your kids. My favorite snow books are on my Top 10 Winter Books for Kids list. What are yours?

11 Cozy Winter Picture Books

Bus Stop by Angela H. Dale, illustrated by Lala Watkins

Kids arrive at the bus stop in alphabetical order so this works as an alphabet book! But, it’s also a story about the joy of winter, especially a snow day! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter by Eugenie Doyle, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

It’s a lot of work to get the farm ready for winter! The strawberries need to be covered with hay. The fields need to be planted with oats and rye. The raspberry canes need to be cut back. For everything the farm gives, there’s something to be done. With the old-fashioned charm of The Ox-Cart Man, this picture book captures the buzz of activity on the farm as winter approaches with calm, quiet fortitude.

Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda

This is an adorable INTERACTIVE book to help the bunny on the bunny slopes! Think a ski version of Press Here! by Herve Tullet but with humor! You will enjoy reading this book over and over again with your kids even if no one skis! [picture book, ages 2 and up]

Waiting for Snow by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Renata Liwska

Young Badger is impatient for the snow to come but Hedgehog, the teacher, is more zen, advising that snow will come when it comes. Still, badger and his friends attempt to speed up the process. They bang pots, throw pebbles, dance with friends, and wear their pajamas backward. Nothing works. So they all wait. And wait. And wait. And then finally the snow comes. Read this picture book with impatient kids and see if Badger’s strategies work for you! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

First Snow by Bomi Park

With black and white illustrations that include a splash of red, Bomi Park captures the excitement of the first snow. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Snow by Sam Usher

It does take forever to get ready to go out into the snow. There are the mittens, the scarf, and the hat. Granddad is a little slow but finally, it’s time to go. When the boy finally makes it to the park, he isn’t first but there are a lot of kids and animals to play with! And Granddad won the snowball fight!

This is an adorable picture book to read in preparation for snow, or just to vicariously experience a joyous snow day! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

If Winter Comes, Tell It I’m Not Here by Simona Ciraolo

A boy’s older sister warns him to make the most of summer because winter is coming. Her warning is a worst-case scenario about winter — couch-bound, dull, and cold — but it turns out winter is also hot chocolate, sledding, and snow angels. It’s a good reminder to make the most of winter too! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Chris Thurnham

Charles is in search of a wish tree with his trust toboggan, Boggan. The two of them help Squirrel move a load of hazelnuts, Beaver brings birch wood to his lodge, and Fox with a load of berries. Now they are so sleepy they can’t search anymore. Their animal friends help them out and when they wake up, they find the perfect tree to tie a wish upon and have a merry feast with their new buddies. This is a gentle adventure that the youngest children will enjoy whose older siblings don’t play along with their games. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

A Day for Skating by Sarah Sullivan, illustrated by Madeline Valentine

This reminds me of a perfect New England winter day when we can skate a pond or, in my neighborhood, a portion of Charles River when it gets cold enough to freeze over. This only happens once every few years so it’s a special time. This rhyming picture book depicts all the ways that my neighborhood would enjoy the ice, from children to animals.

Figuratively bundle up for the coziest of reads, even if ice skating isn’t something that happens where you live. Isn’t that the beauty of books to share our favorite memories? [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Winter Holiday Picture Books

Too Many Toys! by Heidi Deedman

Lulu’s favorite toy in the world is her teddy bear, Jupiter. Lulu accumulates a lot of toys! Jupiter agrees; she has too many toys! Time for a purge! Lulu gave away a huge pile of her toys until there was just Jupiter left. That’s perfect because now there’s space for more toys at Christmas.

Read this book in preparation for a toy purge before Hannukah or Christmas! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

The Best Parts of Christmas by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

The best part of Christmas is the tree. The ornaments? The gifts? Christmas itself? Everything good happens around Fritz’s Christmas tree so he’s understandably sad when it’s time to get rid of it. But luckily he remembers a trick he used to decorate the tree; anything can be an ornament! And he finds a way to make Christmas last all year.

This would be a fun picture book to read on the day you decorate your Christmas tree! Use it as part of an Advent Picture Book countdown! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Presents Through the Window: A Taro Gomi Christmas Book by Taro Gomi

Peek through the die-cut windows on the pages and see why Santa gets a little mixed up with the presents he’s leaving. Taro Gomi’s charming illustrations will enchant children while they help to sort out their gift issues. [picture book, ages 2 and up]

The Christmas Horse and the Three Wise Men by Isabelle Brent

This three-wise man tale is told through the perspective of the animals –a camel, an elephant, and a horse — that carried them and their gifts to the newborn king of all creation. It’s a long and difficult journey fraught with sandstorms, snow-covered mountains, and rushing rivers. Each animal is called upon to help with the change in terrain. The magi and their mounts are pure of heart, and all are blessed when they finally reach Bethlehem and witness the first Christmas. Those of any religion will enjoy this retelling of the gifts of the magi story. Endnotes puzzle out the trilogies found upon closer examination: 3 continents/ethnicities, 3 animal mounts, 3 gifts, 3 magi, and perhaps each magi in a different life stage too. Use this book as part of an Advent picture book countdown to Christmas. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

5 Cozy Winter Picture Books GIVEAWAY!

I’m giving away 5 picture books to 5 winners. To enter, fill out Rafflecopter below. USA only due to the high cost of shipping. Please leave a comment with your first, second, and third choice:

Waiting for Snow

The Best Parts of Christmas

The Wish Tree

The Christmas Horse and the Three Wise Men

Too Many Toys!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

p.s. Related posts:

Top 10 Winter Books for Kids

New Winter & Christmas Picture Books

Winter Holiday Picture Books Giveaway & Kid Lit Blog Hop

How To: Keep Kids Active During Winter

Concussion in Winter Sports: How to Prevent and Identify

SAT Vocabulary Words from Picture Book A Little Bit of Winter

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