5 Cozy Winter Books for Kids: Made for Reading Together

The winter holidays bring excitement, celebration, and a welcome shift in routine. They also offer a simple opportunity to keep learning going by reading together.

Reading, singing, and sharing stories support language development, build confidence, and strengthen connection, all while helping prevent the holiday learning slide.

There is no need for a lesson plan. Curl up with a favourite book, reread familiar stories, explore the pictures, or invite your child to imagine what happens next.

Here are five winter books we love for young children. These warm, engaging stories turn everyday moments into meaningful learning.

Because cozy moments can be powerful learning moments.

Snowmen at Night

Written by Caralyn Buehner and Illustrated by Mark Buehner

This book is a conversation starter that encourages prediction, imagination, and creativity—inviting children to wonder what snowmen do at night and to express their ideas through art.

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all! Caralyn Buehner's witty, imaginative verse offers many amusing details about the secret life of snowmen and where they go at night, while Mark Buehner's roly-poly snowmen are bursting with personality and charm. – Good Reads

Borrow the book from Calgary Library.

Extra Yarn

By Mac Burnett

This whimsical tale invites conversations about kindness and fairness, showing how creativity can transform a community.

The book tells the story of a girl named Annabelle who knits for everyone in her town with a supply of yarn, until an archduke wants the yarn for himself. The book was a recipient of the 2013 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations. - Wikipedia

Borrow the book from Calgary Library.

Bunny Slopes

By Claudia Rueda

This interactive story takes place on the bunny slope, encouraging children to move, tilt, and shake the book to help Bunny along his snowy journey.

Time to tackle the bunny slope! Shake to help Bunny make it snow, tilt to help Bunny ski down the slope, and turn to help Bunny escape a cliff in his path. Is there any obstacle Bunny can't conquer? Bringing grins and guffaws with each turn of the page, readers will find Claudia Rueda's innovative bookmaking as entertaining as the twists and turns of a ski slope--and as satisfying as a cozy cup of hot cocoa. – Good Reads

Borrow the book from Calgary Library.

Winter's Gifts

Written by Kaitlin B. Curtice and illustrated by Gloria Félix

A vibrantly illustrated children’s book about an Indigenous girl who finds awe in the resting and waiting that winter teaches us and shares with her friends how Creator’s gift of gratitude can transform the way we see the world.

Your thankfulness is your gift to Earth.

Winter’s Gifts is the tale of a young Potawatomi girl named Dani whose family celebrates the darkest season of the year by treasuring the slowness that winter brings. Dani’s schoolmates think it’s silly to think that Earth gives us presents, but on a magical snowy day, her family and Creator give Dani the courage to teach her friends about the gifts of winter—resting, remembrance, and gratitude. Can Dani help them receive winter’s gifts?

Winter’s Gifts is a joyful and tender family story of honoring creation, the power of storytelling, and how a new perspective can transform us. – Good Reads

Borrow the book from Calgary Library.

Jingle Bells

By Iza Trapani

Sung to the tune of Jingle Bells, this book invites readers on a joyful journey exploring holiday traditions from around the world.

Join children on a Christmas sleigh ride around the world as they discover traditions from Mexico, Sweden, the Philippines, Poland, Italy, Kenya, and the United States. Festive illustrations show the customs and foods that each country has to offer. – Good Reads

Borrow the book from Calgary Library.

However you spend the season, we hope these stories create cozy moments, meaningful connection, and gentle learning along the way.