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As the winter chill sets in, there’s no better way to spend those cozy evenings than curled up with a wintery, captivating book. Whether you’re a parent searching for the perfect winter tale to read with your preschooler, an elementary kid eager for a snowy adventure, a teen looking for a frosty fantasy, or an adult seeking a winter-themed literary escape, our comprehensive guide has got you covered. We’ve handpicked an exceptional collection of winter books that are perfect for this time of year. We found our top ten books that promise to transport readers of all ages into enchanting winter wonderlands.
Top 10 Enchanting Winter Books for Preschoolers
“S is for Snow” by Ashley Marie Mireles – A fun and educational alphabet book that introduces young children to snow and winter fun.
“The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats – A classic, capturing the simple magic of a snow day. This is one of my favorite winter books to read to my kids.
“The Mitten” by Jan Brett – A charming story of woodland animals finding warmth in a lost mitten.
“Bear Snores On” by Karma Wilson – A fun tale of friendship set in a cozy bear den.
“Sneezy the Snowman” by Maureen White – A fun book about a snowman who gets a cold and kids help him feel better.
“Curious George in the Snow” by Margret & H.A. Rey – A day of adventure with the beloved monkey, Curious George, as he experiences the thrills of playing in the snow.
“Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner – Imaginative and fun, exploring what snowmen do at night.
“Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter” by Kenard Pak – A beautifully illustrated journey from autumn to winter.
“Little Penguins” by Cynthia Rylant – Captures the joy of the first snowfall.
“Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen – A heartwarming story of a child and parent going owling on a winter night.
“Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner – Explores the secret world of animals living under the winter snow.
“Blizzard” by John Rocco – Based on the author’s childhood experience of a blizzard.
“Winter is for Snow” by Robert Neubecker – Celebrates the joys and wonders of winter.
Winter Wonders: Best Seasonal Reads for Elementary Kids
“Ranger in Time: Race to the South Pole” by Kate Messner – Ranger, who is a dog with rescue training travels back in time to help a team make it to the South Pole. Great for kids that love dogs and history. This one is one of my six-year-old’s favorite books.
“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!” by Mo Willems – Another great Pigeon book from Mo Willems. Will Pigeon’s dreams of driving the sleigh come true? Perfect for beginner readers. My kids love Mo Willems’ books.
“Polar Bears Past Bedtime” by Mary Pope Osborne – A Magic Tree House book that is set in the Arctic. Perfect for kids just starting to read chapter books. Exciting and full of adventure.
“The Adventures of a South Pole Pig” by Chris Kurtz – Flora the pig is determined to become a sled pig. A tale of adventure and bravery in a snowy setting.
“Mr. Popper’s Penguins” by Richard and Florence Atwater – The classic story of a man and his penguins.
“Breadcrumbs” by Anne Ursu – A modern fairy tale with a wintry backdrop. Hazel loses her best friend to the Snow Queen and it’s up to her to find him.
“Spy Ski School” by Stuart Gibbs – An exciting addition to the ‘Spy School’ series, where young spies embark on a mission at a ski resort.
“The Mystery at the Ski Jump” by Carolyn Keene – A winter adventure with Nancy Drew, involving mystery and intrigue at a ski jump competition.
“Winterfrost” by Michelle Houts – A magical tale inspired by Danish folklore.
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis – A timeless winter fantasy in Narnia.
“The Family Under the Bridge” by Natalie Savage Carlson – A heartwarming story set in winter in Paris.
“The Turnip” by Jan Brett – A beautifully illustrated book about a family of badgers trying to pull up a turnip before winter. Another one of my kids’ favorite books.
Must-Read Winter Books for Teens
“Peak” by Roland Smith – This book follows a teenage boy aiming to become the youngest person to climb Mount Everest.
“Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen– A boy gets stranded from a plane crash and must survive with only a hatchet. Another one of my favorites. Great for younger teens. If they loved “Hatchet” then check out “Brian’s Winter” next!
“Girl Overboard” by Justina Chen – A story of a young snowboarder overcoming personal challenges.
“Trapped” by Michael Northrop – A thrilling survival story during a catastrophic snowstorm.
“White Fang” by Jack London – White Fang is one of my favorite books. This book follows the life of a half-wolf dog and his struggles to survive.
“Call of the Wild” by Jack London – Another great Jack London book. This one is about a dog that is stolen from his home in California to become a sled dog for the gold rush.
“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio – Auggie was born with a facial difference and until 5th grade was homeschooled. Now he must figure out how to survive at school while being so different.
“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak – A foster girl steals books to survive the war. She learns to read and shares her books with neighbors.
Read Next: 40 Adventure Books to Inspire your Kids
Top Adult Reads for a Snowy Evening
“The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah – Such a great book. This book follows two sisters as they try to survive the war in their own way.
“Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown– This book is a must-read. Not necessarily a winter book but the movie is coming out on Christmas Day. It is one of my favorite books I have read lately. It follows the University of Washington rowing team trying to compete at the 1936 Olympics.
“The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhorn – Written by a New York Times bestselling author. The Frozen River is a historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard.
“Educated” by Tara Westover – A memoir about a girl that is not allowed to go to school who eventually gets a PhD from Cambridge.
“Winter Garden” by Kristin Hannah – A tale of family secrets and reconciliation, spanning from World War II to modern times.
“All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr – This is such a great book that is now a Netlix series. It is about a French girl who goes blind and a German orphan boy whose paths cross in occupied France as they both try to survive World War II.
“When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi – A memoir of a neurosurgeon who is about to complete a decade’s worth of training when he is diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Such a great book about mortality.
“Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls – Another memoir of Jeannette and her dysfunctional family. Her father is a drunk and her mother doesn’t care to be a mom. The kids raise themselves until they all make their way to New York.
“A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman – Follows the life of Ove, who is a cranky neighbor. His life is changed when new neighbors move in.
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