The Long Winter: A Winter Book Round-Up

It's been SO cold here in New England lately.  Customers braving the bitter winds and snow are stocking up on picture books to get them through these cold days and long nights stuck inside.  But there's just something so cozy reading about snowy days from the comfort of your warm bed or couch, isn't there?  So grab a blanket and a cup of cocoa and check out some of our favorite winter picture books. New favorites: The Mitten retold by Jim Aylesworth and illustrated by Barbara McClintock This fresh retelling of the classic tale makes a great read-aloud. McClintock's illustrations are sweetly humorous and I love all her details right down to being able to see each stitch in the knit mittens. The Snow Day by Komako Sakai After being cooped up inside on a snow day from school, a little bunny convinces her mother to play together in the snow at night in this quiet and beautifully illustrated book. A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis A little color in the black and white world of the snowy arctic offers that little "something else" that everyone needs. Old Standbys: Snow by Uri Shulevitz In Shulevitz's simple and beautiful way, he shows that a child's faith in a coming snowfall can transform a dreary day to a white world of imagination, play and celebration. Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton I used to be so obsessed with tracing the Katy's path in the snow as she plowed her way through town.  Burton's illustrated borders and detailed maps kept me captivated for hours. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and illustrated by John Schoenherr This quiet and lyrical story shows the peaceful beauty of a snowy world at night. Snow Sounds by David A. Johnson When it snows, everything seems to stop and go perfectly quiet.  When it's so quiet you can hear the sounds you might otherwise miss.  Told entirely in onomatopoeia, this book tells a story with sounds that can only be associated with a snow day. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats My very favorite book about the simple pleasures of playing and exploring in newly fallen snow. Click here to buy any of these winter-weather-books! Looking for more winter book round-ups? Check out the blogs ShelfTalker and SouleMama for more cozy recommendations.