the best winter and snow picture books are some of the most beautiful picture books you will find. Many of these covers blew me away, and even better, the content is so whimsical, fun, entertaining, and generally encourages a love of the cold, snowy season. If you’re looking for children’s books about snow and winter, you’ll find some classics and new winners on this list. are perfect for your next story time.
The Best Picture Books About Winter and Snow
Here are 40 of the best picture books about winter and snow:
You are reading: Picture books about snow
the first day of winter
Published: October 1, 2005
Bursting with swirling snow and loads of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend. This cumulative tale will have kids singing along as they discover all the decorations needed for the most perfect snowman that ever lived!
the snowy day
Published: October 28, 1976
In 1962, a little boy named peter donned his snowsuit, walked out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. Universal in its appeal, this story beautifully depicts a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and preserving that wonder forever. The quiet fun and sweetness of Peter’s little adventures in the deep, deep snow is perfect for reading together on a cozy winter’s day.
rabbit earrings
Published: October 4, 2016
It’s time to tackle the rabbit slope! shake to help bunny make it snow, tilt to help bunny ski down the slope, and turn to help bunny escape from a cliff on his way. Is there an obstacle that bunny can’t overcome? Bringing smiles and laughter with every turn of the page, readers will find Claudia Rueda’s innovative book creation as entertaining as the twists and turns of a ski slope, and as satisfying as a cup of hot chocolate.
snow
Published: November 1, 2008
cynthia rylant’s lyrical descriptions of the images and feelings evoked by falling snow blend wonderfully with the rich and beautiful world created by lauren stringer’s illustrations, in which a girl, her friend, and her grandmother enjoy of the many things that a snowy day has. to offer.
wolf in the snow
Published: January 3, 2017
A girl gets lost in a snow storm. a wolf cub is also lost. how will they find their way home?
Sentimental paintings tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Here’s a book set on a wintry night that will spark warm hearts and imaginations, by Matthew Cordell, author of Problem Gum and another brother.
goodbye autumn, hello summer
Published: September 5, 2017
When the leaves fall from the trees, the animals huddle against the cold and the frost seeps through the windows, everyone knows that winter is on its way.
Join a brother and sister as they explore nature and take a stroll through their sparkling city, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the setting sun to curious deer, they say goodbye to autumn and welcome the glorious first snow of winter in Kenar Pak’s Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter.
the most perfect snowman
Published: October 11, 2016
drift was a very simple snowman. every day he dreamed of wearing a fancy hat, a scarf and gloves like the other snowmen and, above all, having a pointed orange carrot nose.
So, I knew I’d finally be perfect, and I’d finally belong.
until one special snowy day, the deepest drift dreams come true.
But when dark clouds roll in and a terrible blizzard begins to blow, can Drift Face give up what he loves most and become the most perfect snowman of them all?
ten ways to hear the snow
Published: October 13, 2020
a snowy day, a trip to grandma’s house, time to cook together and space to pause and discover the world around you come together in this perfect book to read and share on a cozy day winter.
One winter morning, Lina wakes up in silence. it’s the sound of snow, the kind that looks soft and sparkles in the winter sun. But as she walks to her grandmother’s house to help prepare the family recipe for warak enab, she continues to listen.
As Lina walks past snowmen and icy sidewalks, she discovers ten ways to pay attention to what might otherwise go unnoticed.
first snowfall
Published: September 6, 2016
careful. now look up. One flake falls from the sky, then another. and so, it’s snowing.
In this beautiful book from debut creator Bomi Park, a girl wakes up on the first snowy day of the year. From her initial glimpse out the window to her heartwarming adventures (rolling a snowman, making snow angels), the girl’s quiet pursuits are ones all young readers will recognize. the simple, understated text and exquisite, evocative art evoke the excitement of a day spent exploring the wonder of snow and the magic, sometimes literally, it brings that day. As subtly cheery as a snowy day, this book will find its home in the hearts of young adventurers everywhere.
winter is for snow
Published: October 15, 2013
an ode to winter finds two brothers exploring a snowy wonderland on sleds, building snowmen and catching snowflakes before snuggling up in the cozy warmth of their family home.
winter dance
Published: October 24, 2017
The snow is coming and it’s time to get ready! the squirrel collects nuts, the geese fly south, and the snowshoe hare puts on his new white coat. but what is the fox to do? each animal advises the fox that his own plan is the best, but the fox thinks otherwise; however, it isn’t until he meets a golden-eyed friend that he finds the perfect way to celebrate snowfall.
the little snow plow
Published: October 13, 2015
The big trucks may brag and roar, but the tough little ones win the day in this light-hearted story with timeless appeal.
In the mighty mountain road team, trucks come in one size: large. that is, until the little snowplow joins the crew. None of the other trucks think the little snowplow can handle the big storms, but he knows he can, and just to be sure, he trains hard, pushing loads of gravel, throwing concrete blocks, and doing plow lifts to prepare. But when a blizzard hits, will the little snowplow’s training be enough to clear the streets and handle unexpected problems? Taking his place alongside such classics as The Little Engine That Could and Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, this story of a brave little plow will find a clear path to the hearts of readers.
the mitten
Published: October 5, 2009
when nicki drops her white glove in the snow, she continues on without realizing it’s missing.
One by one, the forest animals find him and crawl away; first a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger, and others, each larger than the last. finally, a big brown bear is followed by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next creates a wonderfully funny climax.
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as the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see nicki’s snowy exit at the edges of each page.
In his distinctive style, Jan Brett brings animals to life with warmth and humor, and his illustrations are full of visual delight and detail true to the Ukrainian tradition from which the story comes.
sneezy the snowman
Published: October 1, 2010
b-r-r-r-r! ah-choo! sneeze the snowman is cold, cold, cold. to warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire, and melts! but children know exactly what to do to rebuild it and make it feel “good.” Hilarity chills the air with hilarious mixed media illustrations by Stephen Gilpin as Sneezy tries to warm up with some silly results.
lost and found
Published: December 29, 2005
What’s a kid to do when a lost penguin shows up on their doorstep? find out where it came from, of course, and return it. but the journey to the south pole is long and difficult in the child’s rowboat. there are storms for brave and deep, dark nights. to pass the time, the boy tells stories to the penguins. they finally arrive. however, instead of being happy, they are both sad. That’s when the boy realizes: the penguin was not lost, he just felt alone.
a touching, funny and kid-friendly story about lost friendship. . . and then found again.
the wishing tree
Published: September 27, 2016
charles wants to find a wishing tree. His brother and his sister don’t believe there is such a thing, but his trusty boggan companion is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways. Poetic text and heartwarming illustrations evoke the true essence of the holiday season and will inspire wishers everywhere. this gem of a book deserves to be in the spotlight all year long.
little red riding hood
Published: October 27, 2015
Little Red Riding Hood straps on ice skates in this fractured fairy tale! A figure skating enthusiast, Little Red has worn out her skates and must win a pairs competition to win new ones. but who will be her partner? the plate already slips with the spoon, and hansel has gretel. You won’t believe her partner’s big eyes, sharp teeth and furry paws. . . much better for spinning!
the candle of the storyteller/the candle of the stories of lucia m. gonzalez
Published: January 1, 2008
It’s the winter of 1929, and cousins Hildamar and Santiago have just moved to big, cold New York from their native Puerto Rico. as the day of the three kings approaches, hildamar and santiago mourn the loss of their sunny home and wonder about their future in their adopted city. But when a storyteller and librarian named Pura Belpré arrives in her classroom, the children begin to understand what a library can mean to a community. In this fitting tribute to a remarkable woman, Lucía González and Lulu Delacre have captured the truly amazing effect Belpré had on New York City.
the bear report
Published: October 6, 2015
what is there to say about polar bears? they are big. are bad. they eat things bored. at least that’s how sophie feels when she sits down to do her homework. But then something decidedly unboring happens: Sophie is taken to the arctic by a jovial polar bear named Olafur. On a whirlwind day, he shows a reluctant Sophie the many sparkly things to see in her house, from glacier mice to the Northern Lights. Sophie begins to learn that the polar bear’s home is much more than a barren, frozen land. It is a world full of life, adventure and a new friend. the bear report shows the power of curiosity to fill in any blank canvas, whether it’s an incomplete assignment or arctic ice.
such a gray day
Published: October 29, 2019
once you start realizing it, the colors and motifs of gratitude are everywhere, and that changes everything! Celebrate the nuances and comforts of a cozy winter’s day when a disgruntled girl at first notices only muted grays and browns in a snowy landscape, but her friend convinces her to take a closer look. she soon finds orange berries, blue water, purple shadows and more. a warm friendship and a new way of looking at things transform a snowy landscape from bleak to beautiful!
snowstorm
Published: October 30, 2014
blizzard is based on john rocco’s childhood experience during the now infamous blizzard of 1978, which brought 53 inches of snow to his town on rhode island.
Told with a short text and dynamic illustrations, the book begins with a child’s excitement at seeing the first snowflake fall outside his classroom window. it ends with the neighborhood’s immense relief at seeing the first snowplow come onto his street. in the middle, the boy sees his familiar landscape transform into something alien, and the readers see him transform into a hero who puts the needs of others first.
skating on mice
Published: October 3, 2017
This mouse does not want to stay at home. . . even if it’s cold outside! For most field mice, winter means hiding and curling up. but not for lucy! she loves snow crunching under her paws and wearing a fluffy beanie. And above all, Lucy loves to skate, and she is eager to show off her new skill with her friends. after all, a winter wonderland is twice as nice when you have friends to enjoy it with. but the other mice just don’t understand, and after a disastrous indoor snowball fight, it seems they never will. Can Lucy find a way to get the other mice out and “skate” too? With intricately detailed illustrations as cozy as a fireplace in December (and a cup of hot chocolate, too), this fun and affectionate love song for winter—and for a brave, bold, and generous mouse—will have kids bundled up for a little while. of cold. fun weather on your own.
when the snow falls
Published: October 10, 2017
A snowy day trip with Grandma brings out all the beauty, magic and fun of winter.With sparkly flakes calling from outside, this sister and brother prepare to an outdoor adventure with grandma. In the silent woods, they see and hear wildlife thriving under a new layer of snow. in the bustle of the city, they help their grateful grandfather dig. then, it’s time to go sledding!
The snowy scenes capture the beauty of freshly fallen snow, and the lyrical verse revels in the magic of playing in the snow and the warm comfort of family.
lines
Published: September 5, 2017
starts with a line. Whether it’s with the tip of a pencil or the blade of a skate, the magic starts there.
and the magic flows again from the pencil and imagination of internationally acclaimed artist suzy lee. With the lightest of touches, this masterpiece blurs the lines between real and imaginary, reminding us why Lee’s books have been praised around the world, recognized on the New York Times best illustrated book lists, and nominated for the hans christian andersen award, the highest international honor. given to the creators of children’s books. This seemingly simple story about a young skater on a frozen pond will delight younger readers while also surprising book enthusiasts of any age.
it’s snowing!
Published: July 1, 2011
small, soft flakes fall silently from above. it’s snowing! People like to sled and ski, but what exactly is snow? How it works This clear introduction to one of winter’s wonders includes information on the different types of snowstorms, the regions where snow falls, and how to prepare when a snowstorm approaches.
big snow
Published: September 24, 2013
While “helping” his mother with the housecleaning for the holidays, a young boy keeps a watchful eye on the progress of a winter storm. he is waiting for a big snowfall. really big snow. inside, he is underfoot, turning the changing of sheets and the washing of the bathtub into imaginary white stains. outside, the flakes are flying. but over the course of a long (for mom) day, the clouds seem to take a while to produce a big snowfall. then comes a dreamy naptime adventure, marking just the beginning of high hopes coming true in this compelling seasonal story.
snowmen at night
Published: September 23, 2002
Have you ever built a snowman only to find the next day that its smile has gone a little crooked or that its arms like tree branches have moved? and you have wondered. . . what do snowmen do at night? this charming winter tale reveals all! Caralyn Buehner’s witty and imaginative verse offers plenty of amusing details about the secret life of snowmen and where they go at night, while Mark Buehner’s plump snowmen are full of character and charm. From the successful team that created such award-winning titles as Fanny’s Dream, Snowmen at Night is fabulous, icy, and fun.
squeak & chirra: snow day
Published: November 7, 2017
book three in the charming chirri & series chirra, here we have foxes, bears, birds, goats and cats, all sheltering together in an icy cavern, enjoying everything from freshly baked treats to long soaks in hot springs. Over the course of their adventures, Chirri and Chirra even become guests of a family of bears, spending the night in their igloo and dreaming of the Northern Lights. a winter wonderland worth remembering for its soft glow and abundant joy!
sleeps big bear sleeps
Published: January 5, 2012
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It’s time for the big bear to hibernate, so old winter keeps telling him, “Sleep, big bear, sleep.” but the great bear does not hear very well. he thinks old man winter told him to drive a jeep, sweep and jump. big bear just can’t seem to hear what old man winter is saying. eventually old man winter finds a noisy way to get the big bear’s attention. will hillenbrand’s cozy pencil and mixed media illustrations bring this bedtime story to a fitting conclusion.
winter dream: a story of hibernation
Published: September 17, 2019
In this cozy bedtime story, follow a boy and his grandmother through a wintry landscape to explore how the earth falls asleep during winter. locate the sleeping animals as the story unfolds, then learn about their hibernation habits in the information pages at the end.
Co-authors Sean Taylor (picture book author) and Alex Morss (ecologist, journalist, and educator) offer a brief introduction to the concept of hibernation. In the calm and frozen forest, snow covers the ground and the trees have lost their leaves. where have all the animals gone? are they asleep too?
In each cut-scene, see what the boy can’t: that under his feet are lairs with sleeping creatures, and inside the hollow logs of the trees, the animals are nesting. after the story, annotated illustrations explain the facts about each animal’s hibernation and what they will do when they wake up for spring.
Get cozy as you expand your and your child’s understanding of the natural world.
the story of snow: the science of the winter wonder
Published: October 7, 2009
How do snow crystals form? what forms can they take? Aren’t two snow crystals the same? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity. instructions for catching snowflakes are also included.
it’s snowing by franklyn mansfield
Published: January 5, 2000
franklyn m. Branley and Holly Keller team up for a fun and colorful exploration of the world of snow, including experiments and activities for cold winter days. This nonfiction picture book is a great option to share during homeschooling, particularly for children ages 4-6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and a companion to children’s activity books.
It’s snowing. snow is wonderful: for sledding, skiing and building snowmen. But did you know that snow can actually keep things warm? discover how snow helps plants, animals and people survive. but when a blizzard blows, watch out! snow that is so useful can also be dangerous.
farm that sleeps well: a farm prepares for winter
Published: August 2, 2016
A captivating exploration of how one family prepares a farm for the winter snow, sleep tight farm lyrically connects each growing season with the preparations at the end of the agricultural year. This beautiful and informative book paints a fascinating picture of what winter means to the agricultural year and to the family that shares its seasons, from the new growth of spring, the warmth of summer and the bounty of autumn to the well-deserved rest of the winter. The whole year the farm has worked to shelter us, feed us, warm us, and now it’s time to sleep.
little snowflake
Published: September 1, 2020
Have you ever wondered what happens to a snowflake when it falls to the ground? This beautifully illustrated story provides the perfect introduction to how snowflakes form.
owl moon
Published: October 23, 1987
One winter night, a little girl and her father go looking for an owl. the trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls the mysterious night bird.
but no response.
Without saying a word, the two companions walk, because when you go with owls you don’t need words. You don’t need nothing but hope. sometimes there isn’t an owl, but sometimes there is.
Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle and poetic story that lovingly describes the special companionship of a little girl and her father, as well as humanity’s close relationship with the natural world. Beautifully complemented by John Schoenherr’s delicate and exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading and sharing at bedtime.
on and under the snow
Published: October 19, 2011
On snow, the world is silent and white.
but under the snow there is a secret world of squirrels and snowshoe hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live the winter safe and warm.
over and under the snow takes readers on a cross-country ski trip through wintry forests to discover the secret world of animals that live under the snow.
a warm winter tail
Published: August 10, 2012
Ever wonder how animals stay warm in winter? well, they wonder how humans do it too! In a lyrical twist of perspective, the wild creatures wonder if humans use the same winter adaptation strategies that they do.
Do they huddle together in a tree or fly south to mexico? Look through the eyes of an animal and discover the interesting ways animals cope with the cold winter months.
winter eyes
Published: October 28, 1999
snowballs, ice skating, sledding! frozen toes, icy slush, runny nose. Well, winter isn’t all fun and games. But the beloved and successful poet Douglas Florian will dispel your doubts about Mother Nature’s cold control with twenty-eight winter-inspired poems accompanied by his crisp watercolor illustrations. Young readers are sure to be thrilled by the exceptionally sharp insight in this wholly original volume. whatever the time of year, winter eyes are perfect for the season.
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iguanas in the snow/iguanas in the snow
Published: April 1, 2013
in his final collection of seasonal poetry, the poet francisco x. Alarcón and the Mayan artist Christina González invite us to celebrate winter by the sea, in the magical city of San Francisco, and in the ancient sequoia forests of the Sierras.
We see a city where people are bridges to each other and children sing poetry in two languages. A family frolicking in the snow reminds the poet of the iguanas playing in his grandmother’s house in Mexico. we are dazzled by the promise of young redwoods, like all children, destined to be the ancestors of tomorrow.
Mayan artist christina gonzalez has once again created a lively family of children and adults making their way through colorful pages. Collages of vintage maps of Mexico and California provide intriguing backgrounds, and fun-loving iguanas peer out at us from the most surprising places.
a large bed for little snow
Published: October 15, 2019
When all was quiet, little snow smiled and then jumped, jumped, jumped!
little snow loves the new big soft bed mom made him for the long cold winter nights. but mommy says this bed is for sleeping, not jumping on! What happens when she can’t resist jumping, jumping, jumping on her new fluffy bouncy bed?
Award-winning and best-selling author Grace Lin artfully introduces young readers to their first snowfall through eye-catching illustrations and heartwarming moments.
there they are: 40 of the best picture books about winter and snow! These picture books feature winter and hibernating animals, cozy winter bedtime stories, and poetry about winter and snow. If you have a few more snow days left this year, be sure to cozy up with these winter children’s books and a cup (or cups) of hot cocoa. which ones have you read? And which ones did I miss?
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