Winter Read Aloud Books – Our Favorites

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Every winter I take a month and all of our read aloud books have a winter theme. We fill our choice basket with more than thirty titles including fiction and non-fiction titles. Though some of the books have wintery titles or themes some make the basket simply based on their setting. Today I want to share with you some of our favorite titles that make the basket every year.

1. Snowflake Bentley – I’ve always been fascinated with snowflakes, which is what initially drew me to this book; however, that is not why we come back to it year after year. Snowflake Bentley is a story of determination, grit and self-assurance. W.A. Bentley was ruthlessly teased for his interest in snow. Snow was everywhere in his hometown all winter long. It wasn’t anything special to the eyes of most. W.A. Bentley, however, knew there was more to snow than most understood. He made it his mission to share the unique aspects of snow with the rest of the world. This picture book details his process from snow obsessed to possibly the leading authority on snow during his lifetime.
   
2. The Blizzard’s Robe – Snow isn’t always friendly and gentle. The People Who Fear the Winter’s Night rightfully fear Blizzard. One night much to the delight of the people, Blizzard’s robe gets caught in Teune’s fire. What will Teune, the finest robemaker ever known, do? Will she leave Blizzard robeless or will she set out to make amends? This illustrations in this one draw us back to the story again and again. As usual, Robert Sabuda makes bold choices that draw you into the illustrations as well as the story.
   
3. The Rag Coat– A story of coming together, bullying and plain ingenuity, The Rag Coat makes our basket time and time again. My youngest loves how Minna so desperately wants to attend school whereas my older three lean into the ways in which people treat others both positively and negatively based on such minor differences. Minna and her lovingly made coat draw us back time and time again.
   
4. The Snowy Day – What can you do with a snow day? So many great and wonderful options await. Peter, the young boy in the story, knows that options abound and he heads outdoors to discover much. The Snowy Day joins our basket regularly for the beautiful descriptive language and the classic illustrations.
   
5. Straight to the Pole – I love a book where the illustrations allude to a story that is quite different than what the words are saying. O’Malley accomplishes just this task with this book. Amazingly no matter how many times we read this one, someone is always surprised at the end when the bus stop comes into view.
   
6. White Snow Bright Snow – Grown ups will be grown ups and kids will be kids. Take a look at the different ways that everyone prepares for and endures the snow. Though this story is an old one, everyone in our house delights at the descriptions and illustrations.
   
7. Snow – There is always that one child who just knows it is going to snow despite everyone else’s assurance that snow is not in the forecast. The hope of this child brings the snow right along and he dances in delight at the new wonderland surrounding him. Naysayers continue to doubt but more and more snow continues to fall. May we all hold on to the wonder of a child in the snow.
   
8. Snow Lion – Lions and snow don’t usually go together and I think that is what delights readers about this story. Lion is much too hot in the jungle so he heads out to find cooler weather. He succeeds and then tries to find a way to share the snow that he finds with friends. In a story where words matter and trust is a must, the jungle creatures learn of a whole new way tot have fun.
   
9. A Friend Like Ed – Friendship can endure hardship but just how much hardship can it handle before it breaks? Ed is an odd mouse and Mildred just isn’t sure how much she can put up with after some rather embarrassing adventures. Even after Mildred quits hanging out with him, Ed remains steadfastly loyal as a friend and true to himself. Will Mildred realize that having a friend that is just a bit different is better than having a friend who is unkind?
   
10. Martha – Though not a book about winter or snow, this picture book begins in the depths of winter. Martha, a poor injured crow, is found by a boy and her mother. Though no one else believes that Martha can recover from her injuries the young boy, insists it is possible. This book is full of hope and giggles. It is sure to delight any young listener.

What books would you add to this list? We love to check out new stories!

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