25 of the Best Winter Read-Aloud Children’s Books

Winter.

That can only mean one thing…

Snow, and lots of it.

Having grown up in Michigan, we are used to the snow and cold.  It doesn’t phase us if we have to wear our winter gear when we are trick-or-treating. Sometimes we can have snow on the ground two months before the actual first day of winter.  Not everyone likes it, but we deal with it. 

Along with the cold and snow comes Lake Effect Snow Warnings, Winter Weather Advisories, and the one thing children’s dreams are made of during the winter, Snow Days.  Yes, even homeschoolers cancel everything for a fresh blanket of snow! 

Eventually, the kids will exhaust themselves from sledding, building forts and creating snowmen.  When it is time to come in and warm up, there is (almost) always hot cocoa and a good book waiting for them.  Along with all the wet snowsuits and boots, our kids always seem to bring in with them lots of questions about winter and snow. 

“Why does snow melt?”… 

“Where are all the animals?”… 

“Why do we have winter?”…

“Can I eat the snow?”

and, “Does everyone have snow where they live?”

Thankfully, we have a shelf full of winter books waiting to help answer their questions.  You know you love books when you have a section for each season in your personal library. 

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Here is our list of over 25 favorite read-aloud books about winter.  Some are non-fiction and some are stories that take place in the snow.  Perhaps, our list of winter books will keep your family snuggled up reading together, too. 

Make sure you check out our Amazon Storefront for the complete list of books, including some new additions!

Welcome Winter

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak.  So many things to notice as the seasons make way for winter.  Our children enjoy saying goodbye to autumn with the siblings in this book.

The Shortest Day, Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer.  Take a look at how different cultures celebrate the Winter Solstice, something which at first many were afraid of.  This book does a great job explaining what the Winter Solstice is to young readers.  

Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur.  A collection of 26 acrostic poems that celebrate activities shared in winter.  The art is colorful and cozy.  We enjoy talking about the things mentioned in this book that we do together.

The Joy of Snow

The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader.  Sweet, simple art tells the story of how animals in the woods prepare for the coming of winter.  You won’t mind getting lost in this snow covered forest.  The animals are lifelike which makes the story feel more real, especially for a child who is an animal lover.

White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt.  The excitement builds as the children await the first snowfall of the year.  When it arrives, they are delighted to go outside and enjoy it.  The adults pass by as they go on about their daily jobs.  A nice reminder to stop and remember the joy in snow.

The Snowy Day by Jack Ezra Keats.  Experience the wonder of a child waking up to see the world outside covered in fluffy snow.  Follow along as he makes snow angels, footprints and new discoveries about the snow now covering his neighborhood.  Simple joy fills this story.

Animal Life During Winter

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.  Beautiful story about a father and daughter who go on a late night walk through the woods, hoping to see find owls.  The glow of the moon lights the forest during their search.  Will they find owls?  You might be inspired to go on your own winter walk at night just before bedtime. 

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner.  A sneak peek at what lays beneath the snow in winter.  Kids often wonder what happens to plants and animals when it snows and this non-fiction book does a great job explaining it to them.  You’ll find plenty of cute, busy creatures and cozy homes in this story.  

Not a Buzz to be Found, Insects in Winter by Linda Glaser.  A great book for young insect fans to explain where all the bugs go during the winter.  Many childhood insect favorites are found in this book including, the Monarch butterfly, ladybugs, Wooly bear caterpillars and honeybees.

Footprints in the Snow by Cynthia Benjamin.  This book is a sweet, simple story about tracks left in the snow by animals rushing home.

Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft.  This book is a non-fiction look at how animals survive the cold winter season.  Find out which creatures migrate and which ones stay for the winter weather.  The illustrations of the animals are lifelike and bright.

Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer.  Fine Red Fox has awakened to snow falling and isn’t quite sure what to do to get ready for winter.  He is given advice from all the woodland creatures including a wooly caterpillar, a turtle and a flock of geese.  None of their suggestions seem right.  Can anyone help?  Find out what happens when Fox meets just the right friend to listen to.

Daring Dogs (and a Cat)

The Bravest Dog Ever, The True Story of Balto  by Natalie Standiford.  Based on the true story of Balto, the lead dog on a sled team tasked with taking medicine for children to a remote Alaskan village.  Balto’s journey was the inspiration for the annual Iditarod race.  

The Call of the Wild retold from the Jack London original.  This book tells the story of Buck, a dog who finds himself taken from his cozy home to the harsh Yukon wilderness.  He is then expected to pull a sled during the Gold Rush.  This story is full of adventure as you follow Buck on his journey.

White Fang: Classic Starts Series retold from the Jack London original.  White Fang is half dog, half wolf who lives in the wild.  After almost starving to death during the frigid winter, he encounters humans who try to domesticate him by whipping him and another who makes him do dog fights.  Will White Fang ever be able to trust humans again?

Charlie and Tess, Sheepdog in the Snow by Martin Hall.  Charlie, the little lamb, has lived with the farmer and his family ever since he was rescued one snowy night in the spring.  Charlie is especially fond of his friend Tess, a sheep dog, who has looked after him and taught him how to herd.  By winter, Charlie must be returned to the flock even though he thinks he is a sheepdog.  Find out what happens to Charlie when the first snowstorm of the season hits.  

Ski Pup by Don Freeman.  From the author of Corduroy, this story is about a Saint Bernard, named Hugo, who is learning to become a rescue dog.  Find out if Hugo can remember everything he has been taught when a child goes missing during a ski class?

Cross- Country Cat by Mary Calhoun.  Henry the cat knows how to walk on his hind legs!  His family decides to take him along on a weekend ski trip in the mountains.  While there the Kid makes Henry little skis and tries to teach him how to cross country ski, without much luck.  When the family leaves, Henry is accidently left behind and must figure out what to do.  This is an exciting tale of winter in the forest and the courage to try something new. 

Favorite Characters 

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton.  Katy the Bulldozer has a big job to do when a blizzard hits the city.  People are counting on her to help them dig out and get things up and running again.

The Mitten by Jan Brett.  This is the story about a little boy, Nikki, who wants white mittens.  His grandmother suggests that he pick a color so he can find them if he loses one in the snow.  Nikki ends up losing one while he is outside playing.  One by one, all of the woodland creatures come out to inspect the mitten.  As you read, you can follow Nikki on the border of the pictures, unaware of what is happening to his mitten.  We love Jan Brett’s stories and her illustrations are so beautiful. 

LLama Llama Home with Mama by Anna Dewdney.  What would winter be without a case of the sniffles?  Little Llama is sick and must stay home from school.  It is hard for him to rest and he finds he is bored until Mama Llama starts to sneeze too.  A very sweet story of the love between a mother and her child.  Ana Dewdney had written several Llama Llama books before she passed away in 2016.  Her rhymes seem to capture how children speak.  Our collection includes: Llama Llama Red Pajama,  Llama Llama Mad at Mama, and Llama Llama Misses Mama.

Little House Series

Winter Days in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  The Ingalls’ cabin is warm, cozy, and full of activities.  This book provides a glimpse of pioneer life during the cold winter months.  

Dance at Grandpa’s by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Laura and her family have bundled up for a sleigh ride to Grandpa’s house!  Once there, they enjoy a wonderful evening with friends that is full of tasty food, lively music and dancing.

Winter On The Farm by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Winter On The Farm introduces Almanzo Wilder, the young boy from Farmer Boy  who would one day marry Laura Ingalls.  Winter has come to the Wilder family farm in upstate New York.  Follow along as Almanzo goes through his afternoon barn chores, just in time to sit down for a hearty farm supper with his family.

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  A blizzard hits the town of De Smet, where the Ingalls family is living and cuts off the supply route for food and provisions.  The Ingalls family and the townspeople must work together to survive the brutal winter.  This is the sixth book in the Little House series.  

Don’t forget to check out our list of OUR FAVORITE READ-ALOUD CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS BOOKS!