While we’re dreaming of a white Christmas, our shelves are filled with our favorite kids’ winter books! There’s just not enough room for all of the wonderful winter-themed picture books, but we had to include our annual favorites: City Moon, Pick a Pine Tree, A Loud Winter’s Nap, and Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter. This year, we added Bomi Park’s First Snow to our collection. So grab some hot cocoa and snuggle up with one of Bash’s favorites!
First Snow
First Snow is South Korean artist, Bomi Park’s, debut picture book and we think it’s gorgeous. Maybe it’s because I was immediately drawn to the cover’s little girl, who I thought was a mini replica of Ava! The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful and I’m particularly drawn to the rough canvas texture, subtle details in the animals that make them simultaneously surreptitiously hidden yet we actively seek them out amongst the shadows, and pops of red that spring to life through the more monochromatic scenes. The story is simple and I love how it really puts the reader in the snowy scenes, “Shhhh, listen…do you hear something?”. It’s already a Bash favorite and I can’t wait to share it with Ava…#twinning!
City Moon
Bash has been fascinated by the moon and points it out at every chance he gets, so naturally, I was thrilled by the title of City Moon! And after our first reading, I adore this book and Bash regularly picks it off the bookshelf before bed. There is something so special about this evening stroll: the bonding time between mom and child, the boy playing hide and seek with the moon, and the boy’s curious questioning of his surroundings. By the time Bash wakes from his nap, it’s actually almost dark outside and we often find ourselves taking an early evening stroll to run an errand or two before dinner. Sometimes I think this book was written just for us as we follow in their footsteps, chasing the moon around city blocks. With its soothing text and warm fall color palette, this is a great bedtime story to ease into a gentle slumber.
Pick a Pine Tree
I’ve been waiting for Pick a Pine Tree to finally come back in stock and just found the last copy at Books of Wonder (if you are in NYC, check out their super cute shops downtown and on the UWS – fun fact: The Shop Around the Corner from “You’ve Got Mail” was inspired by this children’s bookstore). This book was released last fall and would be the perfect early December read to prepare children for the joyous traditions of decorating the Christmas Tree. We love how Patricia Toht captures the magic of the holiday season and Bash enjoys the cute rhymes as we follow a family’s traditional tree decoration rituals. We are also partial to the cheerful, vintage-style, yet detailed illustrations depicting the holiday traditions and bringing back the nostalgia.
A Loud Winter’s Nap
On those bone-chilling blustery days, I sometimes wish I could hibernate…or at least take a nice long nap! But then, as the Tortoise and his friends remind me, I’d be missing introducing Bash to ice skating, whizzing down a Central Park hill on a sled, and cozy snuggles reading Katy Hudson’s A Loud Winter’s Nap. This is a cute story with equally cute animals embracing winter and developing friendships. Bash loves the illustrations – so bright, fun and detailed and we discover something new at each read. With all the fun the furry friends are having, it will definitely have you layering up to head outdoors!
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter is a simple story with beautiful illustrations that takes you on a journey from fall to winter. I like how the soothing narrative makes for a great bedtime read, but is also equally great as a learning tool to teach children more about the change of seasons. Each page offers a simple lesson, serving as a prompt for further discussion around why the leaves change, the migration of birds, the shorter days that mark the sign of an approaching winter, etc.
As we drift into colder days, there’s nothing quite like cuddling up with a blanket, some hot chocolate, and digging into a good book. We hope you enjoy cozying up with these winter favorites!
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