Cozy Up With These 5 Must-Read Winter Children's Books

Here in Alberta, we are dreaming of a white December, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the snow in book forms! Check out these five children's books, all featuring warmth, snow, and celebration of winter!

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, Illustrated by John Schoenherr

Late one winter night, a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.

But there is no answer.

Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is.

Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father, as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr's soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading aloud and sharing at bedtime.

You can borrow Owl Moon from the Calgary Public Library: https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S95C105341

Winter Is Here by Kevin Henkes, Illustrated by Laura Dronzek

Snow falls, animals burrow, and children prepare for the wonders winter brings. Caldecott Medalist and award-winning author Kevin Henkes's striking text introduces basic concepts of language and the unique beauty of the winter season. Laura Dronzek's expressive paintings beautifully capture the joyful wonders of winter.

This is an engaging companion to the bestselling When Spring Comes and In the Middle of Fall. Winter Is Here is an ideal choice for story time, seasonal curriculums, and bedtime reading.

Borrow Winter is Here from the Calgary Public Library: https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S95C1232473

Sounds Like Christmas by Robert Munsch & Michael Martchenko

A very Munsch Christmas!

Grandma is baking Christmas cookies, so she asks Lincoln and Georgia to decorate the tree. And what a tree it becomes! In addition to the lights, garlands and balls, the kids compete to add some very special and extremely noisy ornaments, including a talking doll, a chirping bird, the neighbour's dog and more. What will their grandparents -- and Santa -- think?

The grandma in this story is Robert Munsch's long-time assistant Sharon, and the kids are her grandchildren, Georgia and Lincoln.

Sounds Like Christmas is available for borrowing through the Calgary Public Library: https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S95C1292628

Hockey with Dad by Willie Sellars, Illustrated by Kevin Easthope

She shoots, she scores! Big Sister's hockey team has worked hard toward the most important game of the season. When the team goalie gets injured, Little Brother excitedly steps onto the ice to play in the Championship game. He always wanted to be part of the lineup, where Big Sister is the ace forward. The closer the game gets, the more nervous he becomes. Can he and Sister make the community proud? He must rely on his family's long history of playing hockey, the wisdom of Grandpa, Dad, Big Sister, and the Secwépemc cultural values they impart. The highly anticipated follow-up to the award-winning Dipnetting with Dad, in Hockey with Dad, Little Brother's adventures continue as he grows and learns about the importance of hockey to his Secwépemc community.

Score your copy of Hockey with Dad by lending it from the Calgary Public Library: https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S95C1453352

Home in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown, pictures by Jerry Pinkney

Goodnight Moon author Margaret Wise Brown's words are brought to beautiful life by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney. This must-have for every child’s library is perfect for cozy wintertime readings.

"A glorious tribute to Brown's timeless classic."

This never-before-published picture book from beloved children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown tells the comforting, snowy story of animals seeking shelter from the cold in a big warm barn. An Indie Next List Pick!

Margaret Wise Brown's classic picture books inlcude Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, Big Red Barn, and many more.

Jerry Pinkney was "widely acclaimed for his picture books honoring his Black heritage as well as for his richly detailed works reimagining well-loved fairy and folktales," noted Publishers Weekly. His version of The Lion & the Mouse by Aesop was awarded the Caldecott Medal, and his books also received five Caldecott Honor citations. He was recognized with two lifetime achievement awards: the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (now known as the Children’s Literature Legacy Award) and the Coretta Scott King Virginia Hamilton Award.

Outside in the cold, hear the wind rattle, come to the barn, keep warm with the cattle...

Read Home in the Barn this week by renting it from the Calgary Public Library: https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S95C1227215