It’s that time of year to enjoy the cold weather and snow. I have gathered some great books to help enjoy this season. The books listed below include the appropriate ages for each book.
Cold, by Tim McCanna and beautifully illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki, is filled with metaphors and similes of nature as it adjusts to dropping temperatures. The lyrical patterns convey poetic description making both picture and word linger! Cold is a forest/high on a hill/the crackle of leaves lying frozen and still. Each open-page spread displays hues of gold and brown as a lynx silently caresses the snow-covered forest floor. All ages will be edified learning about the variety of wildlife living in cold climates. The breathtaking artwork was done digitally.
I Definitely Don’t Like Winter, by Fiona Barker and brightly illustrated by Christine Pym, is a board book featuring two cute squirrels who are great friends but seem to like opposite things. Hank does NOT like winter, but Hoog loves everything about winter. He loves the snow, the fun and even the snuggles. This board book is perfect for toddler hands.
School for Unusual Magic: The Winter Frost, by Liz Montague, is a graphic novel that is book number two in this series. This magical story is about three friends who are about to begin Middle Magic school and the plot twists and turns are plenty. The storyline becomes involved as a grave mystery emerges while the friends are on winter break. The illustrations are bright and fill the pages making this good for ages eight through twelve.
A Voice in the Storm, by Karl James Mountford, is an elegant picture book with layered images of opaque pastels that seem to blend effortlessly with the storyline. Rat seems to be in a slump as crow remarks I think a storm is on its way. I can feel it in my feathers. When the storm does hit, Rat finds herself running deep into the rain. However, something very strange happens to Rat when she comes upon a large lumbering bear. This adventure showcases how life becomes much easier with the help of those who care making this perfect for all ages.
Snow Day at the Zoo, by The Smithsonian Institute and brightly illustrated by Lala Watkins, is a board book that toddlers will enjoy. The clever use of the colorful rhyming text in different sizes along with the animal photos from the National Zoo in Washington DC embedded onto each open-page makes this enjoyable for toddlers. Each animal portrayed is regaled in different winter clothing that will surely bring smiles to youngsters. The leopard wearing a snow hat and the panda rolling in white snow are just a few of the examples.
Sparrow Spreads Her Wings, by Gail Donovan and colorful illustrations sprinkled throughout by Elysia Case, is an engaging early chapter book that is the second book in this series. Sparrow’s parents are preparing to leave for the hospital as her new baby brother is about to be born. That is when she hears a loud sound hit her bedroom window. When she investigates, she discovers an injured pigeon buried in the snow. Now her dilemma is about to begin. As she attempts to nurse it back to health, along with her best friend, she must deal with kittens and parents. She must decide what to do. This is a lovely series great for ages seven through ten.
Ruffles and the Cold, Cold Snow, by David Melling, is a bright and colorful picture book about a dog who does not like snow. However, the little kittens love snow and they scamper outside to play. Luckily Ruffles, the dog, ends up following behind them. They end up getting stuck and he saves the day. He also has made some new little furry friends. This cute book is best for ages three to six.
A Cozy Winter Day, by Eliza Wheeler, is a beautifully illustrated picture book rich with detail. The first page introduces each adorable Acorn Villager as they are actively engaged spending their winter months in and out of their homes. You see some baking, some doing art projects and some reading inside while you see others enjoying the outside and playing in the snow. The book has a feel of Scandinavia with the streets and houses richly adorned in defined design. It’s delightful as you follow each family and where they live making this book perfect for youngsters ages three through eight. The illustrations were done with digital media. Be sure to check out the clever end-pages which sets the ending tone.
King Alfred and the Ice Coffin, by Kevin Crossley and richly illustrated by Chris Riddell, is a captivating tale of ninth century Wulfstan, as he recounts tales of storms at sea, horseback races and a ruler encased in ice. As he tells these tales to King Alfred, the king becomes emboldened to retell these stories. The storyline becomes not only engaging but enlightens the reader to this time in history. There is an interesting note found in the back about how important reading books in their own language was to the king and to convey this to his people. Each open-page is filled with gorgeous artwork done in pastel, pencil and watercolor. This book is best suited for ages ten through adult.
Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin, by Julia Donaldson and vividly illustrated by Axel Scheffler, is a picture book rich with information about Antarctica. Jonty is a Gentoo Penguin who has learned much about his species while living in a zoo. So, he sets off to discover his homeland on his own. The only problem is, he swims in the wrong direction. Jonty Gentoo is a penguin that kids, age three through eight, will enjoy with is humor and love of adventure.
Snow is…, by Laura Gehl and beautifully illustrated by Sonia Sanchez, is an ode to snow. The majestic imagery that both words and pictures bring to this gorgeous book will have any human, from three to ninety-nine, desiring to come outside and see, feel, listen and smell where this magic lies. Snow is a feeling/the moment you wake. /Snow is the stillness/before the first flake.