Check out 40+ nature-inspired winter picture books for kids right here in one spot! You will find books about snow, hibernation, polar and arctic animals, and general winter topics. Grab your hot chocolate and make a must-have list of winter books for your nature or science corner!
If there is ever a time of year that you should be stocked with beautiful and engaging picture books, it’s definitely winter! We love snuggling on the couch and reading stacks of books on chilly winter days. It’s a great way to learn about different winter topics and spend time together as a family.
These books make great Holiday gifts and stocking stuffers! If you love this list, you might also like Countdown to Christmas with 25 of the Most Beautiful Holiday Picture Books.
I categorized this list of 40+ books into four parts:
- Snow
- Hibernation
- Arctic and Polar Animals
- General Winter Books
Without further ado, here is our list of favorite winter books!
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Snow
1. Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Wilson Bentley loved snowflakes and was determined that one day his camera would capture the uniqueness and beauty of each individual snowflake. Just an FYI, this book is rather long and better suited for second grade and up.
2. When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan
Take a wintry walk with a curious boy and his family and see what happens to various living things when winter arrives.
3. The Story of Snow (The Science of Winter’s Wonder) by Jon Nelson Ph.D
Not quite a picture book, but I couldn’t resist sharing this one! It’s jam packed with interesting information on snow. This book also comes with instructions on how to catch your own snow crystals!
4. Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee
This is a sweet book about a girl who follows tracks outside her house after a snowfall. She tries to figure out who made the tracks and makes a surprising discovery at the end of the book!
5. Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
This beautiful nonfiction picture book takes a look at the secret world of animals that lives under the snow in the wintertime.
This book is based on the author’s experience during the epic Blizzard of 1978. I absolutely love these illustrations and the story is so fun!
The poetic text and beautiful watercolor illustrations pulled me right into this sweet book about a boy and his dog who are excited about a snowfall.
8. The Story of the Snow Children: Mini Edition by Sibylle von Olfers
Step into Poppy’s wondrous world where she suddenly sees snowflakes are actually snow children, dancing around her yard. Will she join them?
9. Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer
Before the first snowfall, fox takes advice from other animals on how he should prepare for winter.
I love this book! Rylant does a great job of describing the excitement of a snowfall and shares some wonderful indoor and outdoor activities for kids to try on a snowy day. The illustrations are stunning and pull the reader right into the story.
11. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
This classic winter book shares the wonder and excitement of winter’s first snowfall.
This book is perfect for loose part lovers! Ehlert encourages imagination and shows how to make snow people with the help of found objects.
Hibernation
1. Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft
Where do animals go in the winter? From butterflies to woodchucks, this book covers a wide variety of animals.
2. A Warm Winter Tail by Carrie A. Pearson
In this creative book, animals wonder how humans stay warm in the winter. Do they have the same interesting adaptations as them?
3. The Big Snow by Berta Hader
See how woodland animals get ready for winter in this gorgeous book!
4. Winter’s Coming: A Story of Seasonal Change by Jan Thornhill
Lily, a young snowshoe hare learns the ways in which different animals adapt to survive a chilly and snowy winter.
5. Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story by Sean Taylor
Follow a child and his grandma as they walk through a snowy landscape. Join them as they discover sleeping animals and learn about their hibernation habits. These illustrations are gorgeous!
6. A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson
Tortoise’s friends try to convince him to stay awake through winter to see what he is missing out on during his winter nap.
See what happens when Hedgie decides to stay awake and have fun instead of burrow before the first snowfall.
8. Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows
This sweet and calming book introduces children to two different types of hibernating animals. I can’t guarantee it, but this one might lull your child into a sleepy dreamland!
9. Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
Bear sleeps while many animals find their way into his cave to warm up. What will happen when bear wakes from his slumber?
Arctic and Polar Animals
1. Over in the Arctic Where the Cold Winds Blow by Marianne Berkes
This stunning picture book teaches children about arctic animals. This also doubles as a counting book, making it perfect for preschoolers!
2. Way Up In the Arctic by Jennifer Ward
Set to the tune, Over in the Meadow, this book introduces children to the interesting animal mamas and babies that call the Arctic home.
3. The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
Brett sets the familiar story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears in the Arctic, switching Goldilocks with Aloo-ki, an Inuit girl. Follow along as she stumbles upon the snow bears’ igloo and tries their soup, boots and sleeping quarters. This is a great book to compare and contrast with Goldilocks!
4. In the Arctic Waters by Laura Crawford
Set to the tune, This is the House that Jack Built, follow Arctic ocean animals as they chase each other around “the ice that floats in the Arctic waters.”
5. Arctic Animals (Who’s That?) by Tad Carpenter
This lift the flap guessing book for Arctic animals is so fun! My boys love this one.
6. The Best Book of Polar Animals by Christiane Gunzi
This book about Polar animals is loaded with great information and beautiful illustrations! This one is perfect for older children.
8. Into the Arctic by Roger Priddy
The cool see through windows in this book invite you into the beautiful snowy landscape of the Arctic.
General Winter Books
Follow a little girl and her father as they go owling one snowy night.
2. Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur
This is a beautiful alphabet book filled with 26 wintery acrostic poems.
3. Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
Say goodbye to the falling leaves and hello to all of the delights of winter with this gorgeous book.
4. Winter Eyes by Douglas Florian
This book invites you to snuggle up with 28 winter inspired poems with beautiful watercolor illustrations!
5. Sugar Snow (Little House Picture Book) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
This is an adaptation of the beloved Little House series. Learn more about maple syrup and life in the woods in this sweet book.
6. Cold Snap by Eileen Spinelli
The people of Toby Mills are in a cold snap and freezing! The mayor’s wife gathers the townspeople and shows them how to make the best of chilly weather.
7. Winter Story (Bramby Hedge) by Jill Barklem
Gather around and read this sweet winter story of the miniature world of Hedgegrow.
8. One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth
See what happens when Percy the Park Keeper allows the park animals into his warm home one chilly snowy night. Will there be enough room for all of them?
9. Little Owl’s Snow by Divya Srinivasan
This book is a wonderful introduction to the changing seasons. Young children will love this beautifully illustrated board book!
1o.The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
This is the perfect book to read on the Winter Solstice! Children of all ages will love this book.
11. The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
Welcome the shortest day of the year with this book! This is another wonderful book to read on the Winter Solstice.
12. Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter by Eugenie Doyle
See how a family gets their farm ready for the snow of winter. This stunning book give children a glimpse into every season on the farm and shows how they prepare for the very end of the farm year.
13. Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
Follow a lost girl and a wolf cub as they find their way home in a snowstorm. This heartwarming book tells a unique tale of friendship and trust.
14. When Winter Comes: Discovering Wildlife in Our Snowy Woods by Aimee M. Bissonette
This books celebrates the joy and wonder of playing in a winter wonderland, while encouraging families to get outdoors and explore the magical world around them!
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I hope you check out some of these books! I promise, your little nature lovers will love them as much as my boys.
∼Tara
