The Mitten by Jan Brett. This wonderful story is based on a Ukrainian tale and shares the adventure of a little boy who heads out into the woods wearing his Baba’s newly made mittens. One of the mittens gets left behind in the snow—happily for the creatures in the woods looking for somewhere to shelter! Your kiddo will be delighted to see what happens next especially since Jan Brett’s illustrations are incredibly beautiful and detailed. The Mitten is a winter season must-read!
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel. The story builds upon itself and is perfect to use to engage and encourage your little listener and emerging reader. They’ll pick up on the repeated phrases, notice the pictures (rebus style) and will join in the telling. You’ll relate to all the work of getting kidlets ready to play out in the snow! BOTH parent and child will appreciate the ending…
Red Sled by Lita Judge. I love the SOUNDS in this story! I think the illustrations, stark in their simplicity, yet warm and cozy done in watercolor, are perfectly matched for the auditory nature of the book. Sledding on a snowy hill—who (or what) wouldn’t want to experience the fun?
Strangers in the Woods by Carl Sams. The photography in the book is breathtaking and the story heartwarming. Your kidlets will learn about the different animals that appear from the ‘language’ used and the way they communicate with each other—quite clever! There is more than just one stranger in the woods and can you imagine the thrill they have of creating a smorgasbord feast for animals?!
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner. Children are curious about a lot—they, ponder, they wonder…they ask “why?” But in this story, imagination provides some answers on the (night) life of snowmen. Fun rhymes, fun illustrations and story line will have your kiddo requesting this story more than once!
Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett. Based on the classic children’s tale: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Jan Brett’s Three Snow Bears is set up in the Artic with the Inuits…this story is a great way for your kiddo to learn a bit about another culture. As with all of Jan Brett’s books, the illustrations along the perimeter of the pages provide more story details. You might consider reading the original Goldilocks and compare and contrast the two stories!
Snow Crazy by Tracy Gallup. Another warm story for a wintry day told in a unique way. Once winter arrives all children are longing for snow to fall from the skies…and if they hear it’s forecasted the wait can become unbearable! How to bide the time??? We here in the PNW don’t often get snow, but whenever there’s a hint of it it usually is hyped to the max…you might use what they do to help get through the wait too…until, just maybe, you and your kidlet will be able to play in the snow! The illustrations in the book really stand out. The story is told visually, through them, using sculpted and hand-painted dolls, props and accessories!