It’s time for another monthly picture book list! You can see all the monthly book lists here.

I know we aren’t even halfway through the year yet but I’m already imagining doing a list of monthly chapter books for next year. That would be harder to create though, thankfully I’ve started thinking about it early!

Because we live in the Canadian prairies to me May still brings forward images of spring and gardening but the theme for the March book list was spring and the theme for the the April book list was gardening so I had to think of a different theme for this month.

With Mother’s Day in May that was an option for this month’s theme as well but February’s theme was love (including parental love) so I didn’t want to do that either.

But, I am excited about the theme I chose for this month: friendship.

I appreciate book that include good lessons in friendship, children are generally more open to learning about things like lessons in friendship through stories than just getting a lecture on the subject.

There are so many good picture books on this subject, I’ve tried to pick my favorites for this list, though if I come across other great ones I’ll definitely add them.

 

 

THE BEST PICTURE BOOKS FOR MAY ABOUT FRIENDSHIP

The Rabbit Listened

When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn’t know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn’t feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that’s not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to process this loss, and one by one they fail. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen, which is just what Taylor needs. 

 

Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don’t Eat Friends

Last time on Underwater World with Bob Jellyfish…
“SHARK ATE ME! Now get me OUT, Shark!”
“That’s strange! I can hear Bob, but I can’t see Bob!”

This hilarious follow-up to Misunderstood Shark by New York Times bestselling duo Ame Dyckman and Scott Magoon tackles what it really means to be a good friend. Bob is already irate that Shark has eaten him, but when Shark doesn’t admit to eating him, Bob is so mad he declares that the ocean isn’t big enough for both of them! Friends Don’t Eat Friends is exploding with over-the-top humor and awesome marine facts! For example, when Shark overdoses on Finilla Ice Cream after fighting with Bob, we learn that shark teeth are coated with fluoride. Lucky for Shark, he can’t get cavities! Join Shark and the gang for another story and find out if Shark learns his lesson about friendship, or if he really is just misunderstood — again!

 

Little Bot and Sparrow

A story of friendship that can inspire anyone, even robots, to dream . . .

When Little Bot is thrown out with the garbage, he finds himself in a strange new world. Fortunately, Sparrow is there to take him under her wing. Together, they explore the forest, share adventures, and learn what it means to be forever friends.

 

Awesome!

Marvin the moose and Woody the beaver are BFFs. But their friendship is tested when Marvin does something totally AWESOME and Woody remains ordinary. The other forest animals now adore Marvin – calling in his new superhero services to help right wrongs, solve problems, and fix trouble. They even build a statue in his honor! Woody watches with envy, hatching a not-so-awesome plan to put all eyes on him. Can Woody and Marvin save their friendship? Craig Shuttlewood explores friendship, jealousy, and forgiveness in this relatable picture book.

 

Stick and Stone

When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?

Author Beth Ferry makes a memorable debut with a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand. 

 

Lost and Found

What is a boy to do when a lost penguin shows up at his door? Find out where it comes from, of course, and return it. But the journey to the South Pole is long and difficult in the boy’s rowboat. There are storms to brave and deep, dark nights.To pass the time, the boy tells the penguin stories. Finally, they arrive. Yet instead of being happy, both are sad. That’s when the boy realizes: The penguin hadn’t been lost, it had merely been lonely.

 

Boy + Bot

One day, a boy and a robot meet in the woods. They play. They have fun.

But when Bot gets switched off, Boy thinks he’s sick. The usual remedies—applesauce, reading a story—don’t help, so Boy tucks the sick Bot in, then falls asleep.

Bot is worried when he powers on and finds his friend powered off. He takes Boy home with him and tries all his remedies: oil, reading an instruction manual. Nothing revives the malfunctioning Boy! Can the Inventor help fix him?

 

 

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. “You’re named after a flower!” teases Victoria. “Let’s smell her,” says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?

 

 

This is one of my favorite books of all time. After reading it through once I like to go back and see if the kids notice how Brian changes through the book, they love seeing how he goes from black and white to full color by the end.

The Invisible Boy

Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class. When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.

 

Clink

Clink was a state-of-the-art robot with the dazzling ability to make toast and play music at the same time. But that was many years ago.

Now kids want snazzier robots who do things like play baseball and bake cookies. So day after day, Clink sits on a shelf and sadly watches as his friends leave with their new owners. He almost gives up on ever finding a home—until the day Clink spies a boy who just might be able to be the right one for him . . .

 

To me the month of April just vibes all things flowers and gardening* so that is the theme of this month’s book list.

Well, flowers and gardening and Easter and new life – I plan on having a separate Easter book list up soon because every few years it falls in March and that can just get confusing.

We have a few garden plants (tomatoes, peppers and eggplant) already started indoors and the rest will need to wait until the second half of May for it to be nice enough for us to plant outside in our garden. But I know people in other places can get into their gardens much sooner than we can here in the Canadian prairies. Plus, I just like the idea of thinking about gardens and flowers even before we can actually grow them here.

If you have other good flower and gardening picture books suggestions I would love to hear them!

Pin this post so you can come back to it each year (I’ll be continually adding to it).

 

 

THE BEST PICTURE BOOKS TO READ IN APRIL

 

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt

Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt there is a busy world of earthworms digging, snakes hunting, skunks burrowing, and all the other animals that make a garden their home. In this exuberant and lyrical book, discover the wonders that lie hidden between stalks, under the shade of leaves…and down in the dirt.

 

 

I love all the books in this series by Dianna Hutts Aston.

A Seed is Sleepy

A beautiful and informative look at the intricate, complex, and often surprising world of seeds. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, the book introduces children to a fascinating array of seed and plant facts, making it perfect reading material at home or in the classroom.

 

 

Jack’s Garden

“Building on a rhyme that will be familiar to many children, author-illustrator Cole creates an enticing guide to creating a garden. ‘This is the garden that Jack planted…’ The final illustration presents a satisfied-looking boy surrounded by a lush, bird-filled flower garden.

 

 

This book really made me want to grow poppies, I wonder if they would grow in my climate . . .

Ava’s Poppy

Ava is delighted when she discovers a brilliant red poppy in the middle of her yard.  She sits with the little flower in the sunny days of summer and shields it from the rain, until one day the petals start to drop and the tiny flower fades away.  But when spring comes again…Ava is surprised anew.

 

 

All of Gail Gibbons’ books are excellent and this one is no different.

From Seed to Plant

With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.  Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow.  
 
The book includes instructions for a seed-growing project, and a page of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers.   A nonfiction classic, and a perfect companion for early science lessons and curious young gardeners.

 

 

If You Plant a Seed

With spare text and breathtaking oil paintings, If You Plant a Seed demonstrates not only the process of planting and growing for young children but also how a seed of kindness can bear sweet fruit.

 

 

Plant the Tiny Seed

Beautiful collage-and-watercolor art follows the seed through its entire life cycle, as it grows into a zinnia in a garden full of buzzing bees, curious hummingbirds, and colorful butterflies. Children engage with the book as they wiggle their fingers to water the seeds, clap to make the sun shine after rain, and shoo away a hungry snail. Appropriate for even the youngest child, Plant the Tiny Seed is never the same book twice—no matter how many times you read it!

 

 

I really enjoyed this book and love the illustrations.

The World Is Awake: A celebration of everyday blessings

This is the day the Lord has made.
A butterfly floats through the sun and the shade,
while dragonflies flit past the flowers and trees
and grasshoppers hop in the soft morning breeze.

The World Is Awake, A celebration of everyday blessings, written by Emmy Award winner and ABC News correspondent Linsey Davis with Joseph Bottum, is a lyrical, rhyming story for young children intended to make them feel safe and joyful, cradled in the hands of God. Paired with bright and engaging illustrations by Lucy Fleming, this book inspires children to be thankful for all of God’s blessings that surround us in our daily lives. From the nature in our own backyard to the animals at the zoo, The World is Awake is a celebration of God’s wonderful world.

 

 

I haven’t read this one yet, it’s coming out in a few days (March 26th) and I can’t wait to read it! (It was on our list of books being published this year that we want to read.)

We Are the Gardeners

In We Are the Gardeners, Joanna and the kids chronicle the adventures of starting their own family garden. From their failed endeavors, obstacles to overcome (bunnies that eat everything!), and all the knowledge they’ve gained along the way, the Gaines family shares how they learned to grow a happy, successful garden. As it turns out, trying something new isn’t always easy, but the hardest work often yields the greatest reward. There are always new lessons to be learned in the garden!

You and your children can learn all about the Gaines family’s story of becoming gardeners in Joanna’s first children’s book—starting with the first little fern Chip bought for Jo. Over the years, the family’s love for gardening blossomed into what is now a beautiful, bustling garden.

Month three of the year is almost upon us so it’s time for another monthly book list – this time it’s the March picture book list!

Overall March can be a pretty great month – the weather starts warming up and you’ve got St. Patrick’s Day and spring and every few years Easter is even thrown in at the end of the month.

The book list is mostly spring-ish themed though I did add in a few St. Patrick’s Day books (you can find a full list of them here though if you are looking for more) oh, and remember, March 14th is Pi Day (3.14) so I’ve got a book on the list for that as well! I will be creating a separate Easter book list in the next few weeks since this year Easter is close to the end of April.

If you have a book that you think is great for March I would love for you to leave a comment at the bottom of the post and I’ll check it out and maybe add it to the list!

 

 

THE BEST PICTURE BOOKS FOR MARCH

 

Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi (A Math Adventure)

The math adventure is centered around a potion that changes Sir Cumference into a fire-breathing dragon. Can Radius change him back? Join Radius on his quest through the castle to solve a riddle that will reveal the cure. It lies in discovering the magic number that is the same for all circles. Perfect for parent and teachers who are looking to make math fun and accessible for everyone.

 

Fiona’s Luck

An original folktale full of wit, magic, and leprechauns, that is sure to delight for St. Patrick’s Day as well as all year round. The luck of the Irish has waned after the greedy Leprechaun King has taken all the good fortune in Ireland and locked it away. It is up to one cunning girl, Fiona to come up with a plan to get the luck and good tidings back from the leprechauns to help the people of Ireland. Through clever charades, Fiona uses her wit to outsmart the powerful Leprechaun King and restore luck to the Emerald Isle. 

 

Patrick: Patron of Ireland

The story of Patrick’s life, from his noble birth in Britain, to his being captured and taken to Ireland by a group of bandits, to the “dreams” that led him to convert the Irish people to the Christian faith. DePaola also retells several well-known legends, including the story of how Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland.

 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

What happens when a very hungry caterpillar continues to eat and eat? Find out through this book complete with fun cutout pages!

 

If You Plant a Seed

With spare text and breathtaking oil paintings, If You Plant a Seed demonstrates not only the process of planting and growing for young children but also how a seed of kindness can bear sweet fruit.

 

Dormouse Dreams

As Dormouse dreams–and snores–his way from winter to spring, he imagines going on fantastical adventures with his best dormouse friend. Whimsical illustrations feature other animals entertaining themselves with dart games, cross-country skiing, flying airplanes, and more while Dormouse hibernates. Readers can also follow the friend’s journey to Dormouse’s house, where she wakes him up for some real life pleasures, including daydreaming. This is the perfect bedtime book to snuggle up with when spring isn’t coming fast enough.

 

Spring Story

Step into the exquisite, miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge in this beautiful new edition of the classic picture book.

Wilfred woke early. It was his birthday. He had lots of lovely presents, but the best one was a surprise… Mr Apple had organised a secret celebration picnic and all the mice of Brambly Hedge were invited.

There was so much to carry. Poor Wilfred got very tired as he lurched and bumped his way along the grassy track. What was it Mrs Apple had said was in his hamper? Knives? Sandwiches? They were certainly heavy!

When they finally arrived, Wilfred was allowed to open up the hamper and there he found the best treat of all . . .

 

Plant the Tiny Seed

How do you make a garden grow? In this playful companion to the popular Tap the Magic Tree and Touch the Brightest Star, you will see how tiny seeds bloom into beautiful flowers. And by tapping, clapping, waving, and more, young readers can join in the action! Christie Matheson masterfully combines the wonder of the natural world with the interactivity of reading.

Beautiful collage-and-watercolor art follows the seed through its entire life cycle, as it grows into a zinnia in a garden full of buzzing bees, curious hummingbirds, and colorful butterflies. Children engage with the book as they wiggle their fingers to water the seeds, clap to make the sun shine after rain, and shoo away a hungry snail. Appropriate for even the youngest child, Plant the Tiny Seed is never the same book twice—no matter how many times you read it!

 

Whose Nest?

For preschoolers and beginning readers, Whose Nest? is a beautiful illustrated introduction to nests of all descriptions and their inhabitants. It might be a tree frog or a gecko, a dormouse or a rabbit, a duckling or an eagle!

 

All Kinds of Nests

Birds make nests to suit their way of living. Find out about different birds by looking at their nests.

 

Flower Fairies of the Spring

Suitable for all Flower Fairy enthusiasts, this title celebrates the annual rejuvenation of the natural world at spring and introduces children to the season’s flowers by making them magical.

 

A Seed is Sleepy

This gorgeous book from award-winning artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston offers children a beautiful and informative look at the intricate, complex, and often surprising world of seeds. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, the book introduces children to a fascinating array of seed and plant facts, making it perfect reading material at home or in the classroom.

 

An Egg is Quiet

Featuring poetic text and an elegant design, this acclaimed book teaches children countless interesting facts about eggs. Full of wit and charm, An Egg Is Quiet will at once spark the imagination and cultivate a love of science.

 

A Nest is Noisy

This gorgeous and informative book looks at the fascinating world of nests, from those of tiny bee hummingbirds to those of orangutans high in the rainforest canopy. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, this carefully researched book introduces children to a captivating array of nest facts and will spark the imaginations of children whether in a classroom reading circle or on a parent’s lap.

Wow, I can’t believe the second month of the year is almost here! At the beginning of the year I decided to create a picture book list for each month of the year, you can check out January’s here and today is February’s!

Thanks to Valentine’s Day I decided to go with the theme of love for this month. I didn’t just stick with the typical Valentine books but also added in a number of books about a parent’s love for a child.

This will be a continually growing list, as we read more great picture books about love I will add them to the list, so I would suggest pinning this post so you can come back to it each year.

If you enjoy all this books, I highly recommend signing up for my weekly book-ish newsletter where I share what we are currently reading and all things books!

 

 

THE BEST PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT LOVE TO READ IN FEBRUARY

 

This book is adorable and perfect if you have a hugger like I do!

Hug Machine

Watch out world, here he comes! The Hug Machine!

Whether you are big, or small, or square, or long, or spikey, or soft, no one can resist his unbelievable hugs! HUG ACCOMPLISHED!

 

Even the prickly ones need hugs sometimes!

Hedgehog Needs a Hug

When Hedgehog wakes up feeling down in the snout and droopy in the prickles, he knows a hug will make him feel much better. But none of his animal friends are eager to wrap their arms around Hedgehog’s prickles, and he’s too smart to fall for Fox’s sly offer.

Then Hedgehog gets a surprise: Another animal in the forest is feeling exactly the same way.

Luckily, both are kind and brave enough for the perfect hug.

 

This is one of my favorites on the list, we’ve read it so many times because the kids love it to. It’s funny, a good lesson in kindness and has a good ending!

XO, OX: A Love Story

Dear Gazelle,

For some time now I have wanted to write a letter to say how much I admire you. You are so graceful and fine. Even when you are running from tigers you are like a ballerina who is running away from tigers.

I think that what I’m trying to say is that I love you.

XO,
OX

And so begins an epic, if initially unrequited, love affair between a graceful gazelle and a clumsy, hapless ox. Romance will never be the same.

Adam Rex’s hilarious, sweet, and at times heartbreaking letters between a hopelessly romantic ox and a conceited, beautiful gazelle are paired perfectly with Scott Campbell’s joyful illustrations to bring you a romance for the ages.

 

This one is so simple and yet so sweet.

Love Is

Perfect for any fond gift or tender moment, this story of a girl and a duckling who share a touching year together will melt hearts old and young. In this tenderly funny book, girl and duckling grow in their understanding of what it is to care for each other, discovering that love is as much about letting go as it is about holding tight. Children and parents together will adore this fond exploration of growing up while learning about the joys of love offered and love returned.

 

I might try this parenting tactic on my kids for the month of February!

Hug It Out

Mom has had enough of Woody and Annie’s incessant fighting. When her pleas for sharing and apologizing are ignored, she demands they “hug it out.” At first, the warring siblings are confused. Hugging? But after a long afternoon of forced embraces, the brother and sister decide to call a truce to avoid yet another icky hug. However it doesn’t take long for them to miss that newfound closeness. And soon they’re looking for something to fight about so they can hug it out once more!

Adults will delight in a new solution to conflict, while kids will enjoy yelling “HUG IT OUT!” at each familiar situation.

 

This one is another favorite and is the book I’ve chosen to share some extension activities for, you can sign up for my bookish newsletter and make sure you don’t miss it!

Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch

One wintry day, a postman delivers a mysterious package with a big pink bow to a lonely man named Mr. Hatch.

“Somebody loves you,” the note says.

“Somebody loves me!” Mr. Hatch sings as he dusts his living room. “Somebody loves me!” Mr. Hatch whistles as he does his errands in town. “But who,” Mr. Hatch wonders, “could that somebody be?”

After some time, Mr. Hatch discovers just who his secret admirer is and, in doing so, enjoys the biggest surprise of his life!

 

Love

In the beginning there is light 
and two wide-eyed figures standing near the foot of your bed 
and the sound of their voices is love.
…
A cab driver plays love softly on his radio
while you bounce in back with the bumps of the city
and everything smells new, and it smells like life.

In this heartfelt celebration of love, Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña and bestselling illustrator Loren Long depict the many ways we experience this universal bond, which carries us from the day we are born throughout the years of our childhood and beyond. With a lyrical text that’s soothing and inspiring, this tender tale is a needed comfort and a new classic that will resonate with readers of every age.

 

I enjoy Nancy Tillman’s books, her illustrations are like none other.

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You

. . . I wanted you more than you’ll ever know,

so I sent love to follow wherever you go. . . .

Love is the greatest gift we have to give our children. It’s the one thing they can carry with them each and every day.

 

Of course this classic is on the list. I still tear up every time I read it.

Love You Forever

A young woman holds her newborn son
And looks at him lovingly.

Softly she sings to him:
“I’ll love you forever
I’ll like you for always
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.”

So begins the story that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide.

 

The Kissing Hand

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester’s fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children’s classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp.

 

This is a fairly new book and we all loved the simple words and the beautiful illustrations.

I’ve Loved You Since Forever

I’ve Loved You Since Forever is a celebratory and poetic testament to the timeless love felt between parent and child.

In the universe,
there was you and
there was me,
waiting for the day our
stars would meet . . .

 

What are some of your favorite books about love to read in February?

One of my goals for this year is to do better with enjoying each season and being intentional with our time in the season. Because almost everything I do has to include books in some way, I thought making monthly book lists would be a good way to acknowledge each season.

January is one of the hardest months for me. Christmas is over and the winter feels like it is never going to end but luckily there are some great picture books to read this month!

When picking picture books for January I tried to pick the best books about winter and snow. There are some funny books in this list to help give some laughs during the cold month (hello, Robert Munsch!).

What are your favorite winter and snow related books? Leave a comment at the end of the post letting me know!

 

 

Pin this image so you can access this list for years to come!

 

THE BEST PICTURE BOOKS FOR JANUARY

 

I find this book fascinating! It makes me want to analyze all.the.snowflakes.

SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY

From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley’s enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist’s vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature.

 

We love Jan Brett’s books! I love all the hidden things in her illustrations.

THE MITTEN

When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing.

One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax.

As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki in the borders of each page, walking through the woods unaware of what is going on.

 

THE HAT

When Lisa’s woolen stocking flies off the clothesline, Hedgie finds it and pokes his nose in. He tries to pull it out, but the stocking gets stuck on his prickles — and the fun begins.

A mother hen comes by, then a noisy goose, a talkative barn cat, a playful farm dog, a mama pig and her piglets, and a pony. They all laugh at Hedgie, especially when he pretends he’s wearing a new hat. But in the end, it is clever Hedgie who has the last laugh.

And where is Lisa when all of this is going on? She’s in Jan Brett’s signature borders, getting ready for winter, until she realizes her stocking is missing and she enters the story to look for it.

 

I love all the Brambly Hedge books! The kids love it when the show pictures of the inside of the building and all the things they can fit into a tree or tree stump. Jill Barklem’s drawings are brilliant.

WINTER STORY

Snow is falling and deep drifts cover the doors and windows of Brambly Hedge. The Toadflax children have never seen snow before and are so excited when they discover there is to be a Snow Ball. The little mice watch wide-eyed as all the preparations are made. At last everything is ready and the Ball can begin! The mice of Brambly Hedge have many adventures but they always have time for fun too. All through the year, they mark the seasons with feasts and festivities and, whether it be a little mouse’s birthday, an eagerly awaited wedding or the first day of spring, the mice never miss an opportunity to meet and celebrate.

 

This is definitely a favorite! It’s a great story of kindness and generosity. And if you sign up for my bookish newsletter you’ll receive ideas on how you can go beyond the book (and each month I’ll send out ideas for book extension activities for a new book).

Extra Yarn

A young girl and her box of magical yarn transform a community in this stunning picture book. With spare, gently humorous illustrations and a palette that moves from black-and-white to a range of color, this modern fairy tale has the feel of a new classic.

 

I grew up reading a lot of Robert Munsch books, of course kids love them, they are hilarious!

THOMAS’ SNOWSUIT

Thomas refuses to wear his new snowsuit despite the pleas of his mother, his teacher, and even his principal.

 

I feel for the parents in this story. Just the other day I was running errands for not a long period of time and one of my kids needed to use the bathroom – twice!

I HAVE TO GO

A hilarious story of a little boy in the throes of toilet training.

 

Over and Under the Snow

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book exploring the subnivean zone reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.

 

I think I love all of Virginia Lee Burton’s books!

Katy and the Big Snow

Katy, a brave and untiring tractor, who pushes a bulldozer in the summer and a snowplow in the winter, makes it possible for the townspeople to do their jobs.

 

LITTLE MIST

Little Mist is a sweet-faced snow leopard cub who is wide-eyed with wonder at the world before him. Guided and protected by his mother, Little Mist discovers the glistening snow, the mountain streams, and the cloud forests. The world may look big to a little cub, but one day, his mother tells him, he will be the king of the mountains. Safely curled up in his mother’s paws, Little Mist can’t wait for his journey to begin . . .

A heartwarming portrayal of the unique bond between parent and child, set against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered mountains. This is the perfect picture book to read curled up with your own little cub.

 

THE WISH TREE

Charles wants to find a wish tree. His brother and sister don’t believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways.

 

BEAR SNORES ON

In a cave in the woods,
in his deep, dark lair,
through the long, cold winter
sleeps a great brown bear.

One by one, a whole host of different animals and birds find their way out of the cold and into Bear’s cave to warm up. But even after the tea has been brewed and the corn has been popped, Bear just snores on!

See what happens when he finally wakes up and finds his cave full of uninvited guests—all of them having a party without him!

 

The rhythm in this book is brilliant and I enjoy the illustrations.

SNOW SISTERS

When snowflakes fall, two sisters react very differently. One is excited and the other is wary. The first sister spends the morning outdoors, playing until she’s all tuckered out. Meanwhile, the second sister stays indoors, becoming ever more curious about the drifts outside. Soon, they switch places, and spend the second half of the day retracing each other’s footsteps. But each sister puts her own unique spin on activities like sledding, baking and building.

 

While this is a poetry book it definitely belongs on this list. The flower fairy poems are some of my absolute favorites, they feel almost magical. I love reading the poems for each season and the pictures are beautiful.

Flower Fairies of the Winter

First published in the 1920s, Cicely Mary Barker’s original Flower Fairies books have been loved for generations. The book features poems and full-color illustrations of over 20 flowers and their guardian fairies.

 

I think Yeti’s are adorable so I had to include a few books on the topic.

NO YETI YET

It’s a snowy, blowy, wintry day — just perfect for a yeti hunt! Or so thinks big brother. But younger brother is not as convinced. Questions abound: Have you ever seen a yeti? Is a yeti strong? Can a yeti run fast?

 

THE THING ABOUT YETIS

Everyone knows yetis love winter. They love snowball fights and hot chocolate and sledding and building snow castles. But even yetis get the shivers, and even yetis get crabby from all the cold. So here’s a secret about yetis:  sometimes they miss summer. Sometimes, they have to bring a little bit of summer to the coldest of winter days. Those yetis, they’re just full of surprises.

 

DEAR YETI

Two young hikers set out to look for Yeti one day, and with the help of a bird friend, they trek further and further into the woods, sending letters to coax the shy creature out of hiding. But as their trip goes on, the hikers find that they have not prepared very well, and though their morale is high, food supplies are low, the forest is getting darker, and a snowstorm looms. Luckily Yeti is a friend they can rely on, and though he’s not ready to come out of hiding, he sneakily finds a way to get the hikers exactly what they need when they need it.

 

What are you favorite January reads?