Written by Debbie Brown | January 10, 2023
There are so many wonderful winter books for preschoolers. Winter makes a great time for getting in some extra reading. I remember many snowy winters with a little one playing out in the snow. Then we’d come in, toss our wet snow clothes off in a pile, and drink hot chocolate to warm up. This was almost always followed by snuggling up on the couch under a warm blanket to read some of our favorite books.
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Winter Books for Preschoolers
These are some favorites your preschoolers will enjoy. I have grouped them in to three categories: snow books, hibernation books, and winter books for beginner readers. Enjoy!
Snow Books
Do You Want a Hug? by Kevin Lewis
Do You Want a Hug? is a fun interactive book that is a big hit with preschoolers. Olaf wants to hug the reader (your child), but he thinks your child is playing a game with him. He decides to play hide-and-seek in exchange for a hug. He hides and the reader has to count to ten and then find him. The last two pages expand open so you’re child can give Olaf a hug.
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter is a story of a brother and sister taking a walk and saying,”Hello” to the animals and signs of winter they see such as falling leaves. This book is a great way to introduce the changing of seasons to preschoolers just before winter comes.
Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak
Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring is a good book to read near the end of winter just before spring comes. Similar to the other seasonal books by Kenard Pak, this story follows a boy and his dog on their adventure to say, “Hello” to the signs of winter leaving. Just a note: This story is told in two voices, the first is the boy talking and the second is nature (snow, ect) talking back to him. Again, this is another great book to introduce the changing of seasons to preschoolers.
Poppleton in Winter by Cynthia Rylant
Poppleton in Winter is part of the Poppleton Series by Cynthia Rylant. In this book, Poppleton is up to some silly winter fun like trying to make an icicle garden. Like other books in this series, this book is a great way to introduce easy-to-read short chapter books to preschoolers. Each chapter is actually a story by itself.
The Mitten is a story based on a folktale. This version by Jan Brett is a more modern version and brilliantly illustrated. On a cold winter day, a Ukrainian boy named Nicki loses a mitten that his grandmother had just knitted him. Your child will be drawn into the story as animals, one by one, amazingly slip inside the mitten to keep warm. Everyone is cozy and snug until the meadow mouse comes in. Be sure to check out the pictures on the sidebar of each page – they are telling a parallel story.
This is another version of The Mitten. This story is similar to the book above but it has different animals cozying up inside a mitten on the coldest day of winter, as well as a different ending. Older preschoolers may enjoy reading both of these books and making comparisons between the two.
Dr. Seuss’s Winter Things by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss’s Winter Things, is a whimsical story following the fun, winter adventures of Thing One and Thing Two. The story is told in simple rhyming text that makes it a fun book to listen to.
Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman
Ten on the Sled is a winter sledding story about ten animal friends who start out on a sledding adventure. One by one they all fall “out”. The story is meant to be read in the style of the popular kid’s song, Ten in the Bed.
Sadie and the Snowman by Allen Morgan
Sadie and the Snowman is a classic. Sadie enjoys making her snowman over and over during the winter. Saddened to think the snowman will be completely gone when winter ends, Sadie gets an idea to save him!
Winter is Here by Kevin Henkes
Winter is Here is a beautifully written book with vivid, descriptive words. As preschoolers listen to this story they can image the winter scene being described even if they live in a place that doesn’t have snow.
Winter in the Forest (Lift a Flap Surprise) by Rusty Finch
Winter in the Forest is one of 4 books, each featuring a different season. This book, like the other three in the series, is both a lift-a-flap and pop-up book in one. While this book can certainly be read alone, I personally think it would be more effective if your child has access to all 4 books, (Winter in the Forest, Spring in the Forest, Summer in the Forest, and Autumn in the Forest – all by Rusty Finch) Each has similar scene which makes it easy (and FUN!) for your child to compare the differences they see taking place in each season.
The Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg
The Missing Mitten Mystery is a silly story about a little girl with a very creative imagination. She lost one of her mittens and tries to find it. As she’s searching she comes up with possible, silly things that might have happened to it, as well as her own idea for a solution. In the end, she finds her mitten in a most interesting place.
Over and Under The Snow by Kate Messner
Over and Under the Snow lets preschoolers explore “the secret world under the snow”. While a young girl and her dad are out skiing over the snow they discover the amazing world of animals that are living under the snow during the winter. This is told in a fascinating way that will keep a preschooler’s attention. (Shhh! Don’t tell them it’s educational – lol)
Owl Moon is a beautiful adventure story of a young girl who finally gets to go owling with her pa on a cold winter night. This is a timeless classic story following their journey to find a great horned owl. They must be silent. They must be brave. And they must have hope.
Missing Mitten by Stuart J. Murph
Missing Mitten is part of the MathStart series and teaches the math concepts of even and odd in a simple way older preschoolers will understand. This story is about a farmer who can’t seem to get the right amount of mittens for each of his farm animals. This is an amusing story told in rhyming text that is sure to keep a child’s attention. As with all Stuart Murph’s MathStart books, there are suggestions for expanding the math concept taught.
Whose Tracks in the Snow? by Alexandra Milton
Whose Tracks in the Snow? is an interactive book that encourages your child to guess what animal left their tracks in the snow. This book has simple, rhyming text that gives preschoolers clues for each animal ( If your child looks hard enough they may find a glimpse of part of the animal peeking out of it’s hiding spot.) There is an additional section with brief facts that highlight the animal featured on that page. You can skip these for younger children without affecting the story.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
The Snowy Day is another timeless classic. Peter wakes up to find that it snowed. The story follows Peter’s winter adventures as he makes tracks, builds a snowman, makes snow angels, and even tries to save a snowball in his pocket. Preschoolers will be delighted in Peter’s adventures because there are things they can do too.
Hibernation Books
These hibernation books are a great way to introduce your preschooler to the fascinating world of animals that sleep through the winter.
Winter Lullaby by Dianne White
Winter Lullaby is a charming story told in rhyming text and shares a sweet adventure of a baby bear observing his animal friends getting ready for their winter nap. With each encounter little bear has questions which mama bear patiently answers. The simple way Mama Bears answers her little cub makes this a great hibernation book for preschoolers.
When Winter Comes by Aimée M. Bissonette
When Winter Comes is a story about a family enjoying the outdoors while at the same time realizing all the animals that are sharing the same winter wonderland with them.
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
In Bear Snores On, one by one, Bear’s woodland neighbors come into his cave to escape the winter cold and get warm. As his friends build a fire, enjoy eating snacks, and even throw a party inside his cave – Bear snores on – until he’s woken up sneezing.
Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
Froggy Gets Dressed is a funny story even the youngest preschoolers will enjoy. Froggy wakes up in the middle of winter and wants to go out and enjoy the snow. Children love the sound effects that are made as Froggy gets dressed, over and over again, each time missing something important he should have put on.
A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson
In A Loud Winter’s Nap Tortoise thinks he doesn’t like winter and tries over and over again to find a quiet napping place. When a bed he finds turns out to be a sled that ends up taking him down a snowy hill, Tortoise realizes maybe winter isn’t so bad after all.
The Snowy Nap is a charming story about a hedgehog named Hedgie who decides he wants to stay up this winter and see all the wonderful things the other farm animals get to see. Like all Jan Brett books, the illustrations are beautiful and full of details. Preschools will enjoy this story.
Winter Books for Beginner Readers
These are wonderful books for beginner Readers to read about winter. The text is designed to help new readers build confidence in their reading skills while at the same time enjoying a good story. Even if your child isn’t a beginner reader yet these are books they will still enjoy hearing.
Here Comes the Snow (Hello Reader, Level 1) Angela Shelf Medearis
Here Comes the Snow is a beginner reader book. This story is about two children who are waiting for snow to come and the winter fun they have when it arrives.
Fox Versus Winter by Corey R Tabor
Fox Versus Winter is a fun beginner reader book about a fox that doesn’t like winter and decides to fight back. This is a My First Read
Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie’s Snow Day (I Can Read – Level 1) Ree Drummond
Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie’s Snow Day follows the adventure of Charlie as he enjoys a winter snow day with his friends and family. This makes a fun way to practice reading.
A Bed for the Winter by Karen Wallace
A Bed for the Winter is not a story about a bear, although there is a bear in the story. This book is about a dormouse on her quest to find a place for a bed before winter sets in. She passes a number of other creatures on her journey for a perfect spot. The book uses short sentences and repeated text and It’s packed with colorful photos children will love!
Snow (I Can Read It All By Myself ) P.D.Eastman
Snow is another tried and true classic. This book is about the many adventures children can have on a snowy winter day. The text is done in simple rhymes, typical of Dr. Seuss books, that will encourage beginner readers to be excited about reading.
Be sure to also check out these booklists:
DEBBIE BROWN | Owner and Curriculum Designer
Hi! I’m Debbie Brown. I created Tothood 101 because I’m passionate about sharing preschool activity ideas, and resources that I’ve gleaned from my 20+ years of experience teaching preschoolers at home and in the classroom. My goal is to encourage, guide, and help inspire you to make learning SUPER FUN for your preschooler at home! Check out the ABOUT page to learn more.
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