Now that winter is coming, celebrate the cool weather with these books your kids are sure to love. With sweet, original stories and beautiful illustrations, these unforgettable winter tales will bring some holiday cheer to your home!
1. The Coal Thief
by Alane Adams
Brrr, it’s too cold outside to go without heat! It’s 1920s Pennsylvania, and when Georgie wakes up to no coal in the family’s farmhouse and no money to buy more, Georgie and his friend Harley begin an adventure in search of more “black gold.” But before Georgie knows it, he and his friend are in a heap of trouble! Step back in time with this tender story of mischief, friendship and lessons from American kids of the past.
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2. Tiny the Tree
by Mary Dalton and Stacy Moody
Poor little tree! Tiny the tree is, well, the tiniest tree on the Christmas tree farm. Tiny only has one wish: to go home with a family and help bring Christmas cheer to their house. As all his friends leave with happy families, will Tiny be the last tree standing?
3. Little Red Gliding Hood
by Tara Lazar and Troy Cummings
Ice-skating is everyone’s favorite wintertime activity, but you know who’s really good at it? Little Red Riding Hood, of course! When Little Red enters an ice-skating competition to win some new skates, she has one big problem: Who will be her skating partner? The Dish has the Spoon, Hansel has Gretel… so it looks like Little Red is stuck with the wolf!
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4. Winter’s Child
by Angela McAllister and Grahame Baker-Smith
Winter is Tom’s favorite season. In fact, he loves it so much, he wishes it would never end! So when Tom meets another little boy—the son of Winter—who loves the snow and ice as much as he does, Tom doesn’t care that winter is stretching on longer than it should. The only problem is that Tom’s grandmother is sick, and if Tom wants her to get better with the warmer weather, he’ll have to say good-bye to his new friend.
5. Stubborn Gal: The True Story of an Undefeated Sled Dog Racer
by Dan O’Neill and Klara Maisch
Sometimes, being stuck inside during the winter can get a little boring. Years ago, when Stubborn Sarah was sick and tired of being cooped up in the cold weather, she decided to do something she’d never tried before, and entered her very first sled dog race. Despite some less-than-encouraging advice from fellow mushers and few disastrous trial runs, Sarah is determined to finish the race… and she may just surprise herself with what she’s learned!
6. The Nutcracker
by E.T.A. Hoffmann and An Leysen
Who doesn’t love a classic holiday tale? Clara and her brother Fritz can’t wait for Christmas Eve, or for the special gifts their Uncle Drosselmeier brings every year when he comes to visit. When Uncle Drosselmeier gifts Clara a beautiful wooden nutcracker, she instantly falls in love with her new friend, even if Fritz thinks it’s a little silly looking. But that night, the nutcracker comes to life, and Clara learns that he used to be a valiant soldier who fell for a real-life princess…
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7. The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg
Winner of the 1986 Caldecott Medal, this is a classic for all ages. A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole on The Polar Express. Through dark forests, over tall mountains and across a desert of ice, the magic train makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish and meet Santa. When he awakens on Christmas Day, he wonders if his journey real or just a wonderful dream?
8. Snowmen at Christmas
by Caralyn Buehner
In Snowmen at Christmas, kids got to learn what snowmen get up to when we’re all asleep. In this companion book, find out how snowmen celebrate the biggest wintry holiday of the year! Silly and entertaining, the snowmen celebrate the best parts of Christmas, including icy treats and even a snowman Kris Kringle. Told in bouncy verse, this one’s perfect for a read-aloud by the fire.
9. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
by Robert E. Barry
On one particular Christmas, Mr. Willowby brings home the biggest tree he can find to decorate his home, which turns out to be a problem when the enormous tree doesn’t fit. His trusty butler cuts off the top, but what happens to the lonely tip of the tree? It can’t just go to waste. Come along for the adventure as Mr. Willowby and some friendly forest folk find the treetop a perfect home for Christmas.
10. Llama Llama Holiday Drama
by Anna Dewdney
Llama is an impatient little mammal. He wants Christmas to come, right now, but that’s just not possible. His mom tries to distract him by rushing around, shopping for presents, baking cookies and decorating the tree. Still, Llama doesn’t want to wait anymore! How long will it be before Santa comes? Mama has to teach her little Llama a lesson: Christmas isn’t just about gifts but about loving one another.
11. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
by Dr. Seuss
The Grinch hates Christmas. He’s the grumpiest, most foul-tempered rascal near Whoville and all because his heart is much too small. He decides he’s going to rob the Whos of their festive gifts, decorations and even the roast beast. However, despite help from his trusty dog, things don’t go as planned for the Grinch… who might just figure out the true meaning of Christmas after all.
12. The First Night
by B.G. Hennessy
Christmas means many things to many people, but for some people, the holiday is about the birth of Jesus. In this beautifully illustrated children’s book, kids can adventure back to biblical times and see what those first few hours were like, the very first Christmas, as Jesus is born and shepherds and kings arrive. The book carries a sense of wonder and mystery, a lot like that night in the manger.
13. The Night Before Christmas
by Charles Santore
Every family should have a copy of this poetic retelling of one father’s Christmas Eve when his sleep is interrupted by the sound of reindeer on his roof. Told in rollicking rhyme, there’s a sense of nostalgia as Dad meets Old Saint Nick and watches the magic gift-giver dash away into the night. This one is perfect for reading before bed, cozy fireplace optional.
14. Here Comes Jack Frost
by Kazuno Kohara
On one very chilly winter morning, a lonely young boy wishes he could find something to do. Outside, all his animal friends are hibernating, and the birds have flown south. He has no one to play with… until he crosses paths with the legendary Jack Frost. He quickly makes a new friend and discovers just how enchanting winter can be.
15. Welcome Comfort
by Patricia Polacco
Welcome Comfort is a foster kid, always moving from house to house, family to family. It’s hard being Welcome, but it’s the worst at Christmas time. Every year, he has no presents, and Santa is a no-show. Luckily, Welcome befriends his school custodian, Mr. Hamp, which sets in motion the most miraculous, extraordinary Christmas Welcome could have imagined.
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