These four winter-themed picture books capture the wonders of wintertime and will warm your hearts through the cold season.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda perfectly captures the fun and coziness of wintertime. Readers must tilt and turn the book to help an adorable bunny ski down the slopes and back to his bunny den. But first, the reader is tasked with shaking the book so Bunny has enough snow to ski upon — but not too hard. This innovative picture book ends with Bunny sharing a delicious cup of hot cocoa with his mom. Bunny Slopes’ interactive nature will appeal to fans of Hervé Tullet’s Press Here and Christie Matheson’s Tap the Magic Tree.
Through simple prose, Mittens to Share author Emil Sher and illustrator Irene Luxbacher tell the story of a child who spends the day frolicking in a winter wonderland with her father. Bundled up in her red snowsuit, black boots, green knit scarf and cozy blue mittens, the girl blissfully makes snow angels, creates a snowman, enjoys a ride on her toboggan, but sadly loses a blue mitten along the way. “Over here! Over there!” The young girl takes comfort when she sees that a little bird has made good use of her lost mitten — pulling the blue thread to make a cozy nest. Luxbacher’s mixed-media illustrations — including cut-paper collage — perfectly present the textures of mittens and warm winter clothing. A charming seasonal read.
Phillip C. Stead’s Samson in the Snow delivers a heartwarming story of kindness and the journey toward unexpected friendship. In this picture book, a giant, lonely woolly mammoth lovingly tends his dandelion patch but hopes that one day, a friend will keep him company. When a little red bird comes along and asks him for some yellow flowers to offer a friend who is having a bad day, Samson gladly shares a golden bouquet. Following warm dreams of yellow flowers and companionship, Samson awakes to a fierce winter blizzard. Growing terribly worried for the vulnerable little bird, Samson lumbers along snowy plains to rescue the bird from the harsh winter storm. Accompanied by a mouse he encounters on his snowy journey, the two are full of relief as they are happily reunited with their lost friend. “Not long from then, the storm passed.” Samson in the Snow is a tender tale of newfound friendship.
“Snowflakes? Many snowflakes. Winter is coming!” Newbery Medal–winning author Cynthia Rylant and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Christian Robinson bring us Little Penguins. Donning red, green, blue, white and yellow mittens, boots and scarves, the little penguins prepare for a day of playing in the deep, deep snow with their mama. The penguins delight in snowy winter day escapades. A stunning visual feast that ends with the penguins and mama retreating back to their igloo to get cozy in “jammies” and devour yummy warm cookies and “sippies” before bedtime. Robinson’s signature acrylic and paper-cut collage aesthetic adds whimsy to the arctic wonderland. My favourite illustrative detail are the pieces of paper-cut snowflakes falling from the sky. A perfect wintry read that radiates the sensibility of Ezra Jack Keats’ classic The Snowy Day.
Visit your local library for more cozy winter reads.
A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published on Wednesdays. Natalie Schembri works at Port Moody Public Library.
