 The
Mitten
by Jim Aylesworth, Barbara McClintock
Ages 3–8
In this retelling of a folk tale,
a young boy loses his red mitten while sledding. The
mitten is found by a delighted squirrel who enjoys its
cosiness until a first a rabbit, then a fox, and finally
a bear beg to join in the warmth. McClintock’s pen-and-ink
illustrations illustrate the silliness in a wonderfully
naturalistic way. |
|
 What’s
Coming for Christmas?
by Kate Banks, Georg Hallensleben
Ages 3–6
The tranquil text and soft
acrylic illustrations perfectly capture the anticipation
that fills a snowy day as Christmas approaches. This
bedtime book which includes both the Santa and Nativity
aspects of the holiday will happily sooth young children
to sleep. |
|
 Stick
Man
by Julia Donaldson
Ages 4–8
In this bouncy story in verse,
Stick Man unwillingly joins a dog’s game of fetch and
is sent away from his family far downstream. As the seasons
change, he becomes part of a swan’s nest and finally,
almost kindling. Saved by Santa’s arrival down the chimney,
this book is a perfect winter story. |
|
 The
Big Snow
by Berta & Elmer Hader
Caldecott Medal
1949
Ages 4–8
Simple text and beautiful illustrations
tell the story of how the woodland creatures prepare for winter.
In the winter of the big snow, the people who live in the little
stone house help the animals by putting food out for them. |
|
 Old
Bear
by Kevin Henkes
Ages 3–8
A hibernating bear dreams of
a spring when he was a cub, followed by dreams of summer,
fall, and winter in this beautifully illustrated book
about the annual cycle of seasons. |
|
 The
Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
Caldecott Medal
1963
Ages 4–8
A small boy wakes up to discover that
snow has fallen overnight. The beautiful illustrations of watercolor
and collage show the magic of simple experiences in the snow. |
|
 The
Gingerbread Pirates
by Kristin Kladstrup, Matt Tavares
Ages 4–10
Jim and his mother make gingerbread
pirate cookies on Christmas Eve, and Jim likes his
Captain Cookie with a gingerbread cutlass and toothpick
peg leg too much to leave him on the plate for Santa.
In the middle of the night, the brave Captain Cookie
dashes down the stairs to save his crew from the mysterious
cannibal named Santa. Luckily Santa ends up not being
as terrifying as the cookies feared. |
| |
|
 Snowflake
Bentley
text by Jacqueline Briggs Martin,
illustrations by Mary Azarian
Caldecott Medal
1999
Ages 4–8
This biography of Wilson A. Bentley tells
the story of a rural Vermont farmboy in the mid 19th century
who became fascinated by snowflakes. Bentley developed a system
of microphotography that allowed him to capture images of snowflakes
and prove that no two snowflakes are identical. Azarian’s woodcuts
are perfect. |
|
 Waiting
for Winter
by Sebastian Meschenmoser
Ages 5–8
Squirrel, Hedgehog, and Bear
scurry around searching for the first snowflake of winter,
which they are told will be white and wet and soft and
cold. They each find a candidate for the snowflake: a
toothbrush, a tin can, and an old white sock. The wonderfully
detailed and silly illustrations are sure to enchant
readers. |
|
 The
Snow Day
by Komako Sakai
Ages 3–5
A small rabbit wakes up to discover
that snow has been falling all night. School is closed
and the father rabbit’s flight home has been cancelled.
The rabbit and his mother are safe and warm inside the
apartment, but feel all alone in the world. The small
rabbit enjoys the magic of the snow, waiting for the
news that his father will return tomorrow. |
|
 The
Christmas Magic
by Lauren Thompson, Jon J Muth
Ages 4–8
In the far far north where
the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest,
Santa begins to prepare for his long night of toy-giving.
This particular Santa is a bunny-slipper-wearing character
who feels the approaching holiday through the tingling
of his whiskers. The luminous watercolor illustrations
add to the reassuring magic of this Christmas story. |
|
 White
Snow, Bright Snow
by Alvin Tresselt, illustrations
by Roger Duvoisin
Caldecott Medal
1948
Ages 4–8
When the snow begins to fall, the adults
rush around doing important chores, but the children dance and
try to catch snowflakes on their tongues. The bright illustrations
capture a child’s delight in the first snow of the season. |
|
 The
Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg
Caldecott Medal
1986
Ages 6–8
The Polar Express is an old-fashioned
steam train that takes children to the North Pole on Christmas
Eve. Incredible illustrations evoke a memory of a long-ago time. |
|
 Owl
Moon
text by Jane Yolen, illustrations
by John Schoenherr
Caldecott Medal 1988
Ages 3–8
A young girl and her father go owling
late one winter night. The lyrical text and beautiful illustrations
combine to transform this simple event into a magical adventure. |
|
 Snow
Party
by Harriet Ziefert, Mark Jones
Ages 4–8
When the first snow of the year
falls on the winter solstice, the snow people have a
party. Mark Jones’s breathtaking
pastel illustrations make this book stand out. |
| |
|
