Winter is starting to draw to a close, but we are expecting another snowstorm this weekend. I find myself squeezing in a few last-minute winter picture books before it's time to start looking to spring! These are a few of our favorites as of late, but I also want to point you to my first winter picture book list from last year. I'm glad to add a few more to our favorites pile this year!
The Small Walt Books by Elizabeth Verdick- This is a little picture book series about a small snow plow named Walt. I didn't include them in my last winter picture book post because I find the text a little bit hard to read in that it sounds a choppy when reading aloud...but I'm adding them to this post, because my kids have all loved them. For some reason Small Walt really sticks out in their minds! I think the boys like the vehicle aspect, and the girls think Walt is a cute snow plow. The pictures in all the Small Walt books have a classic, charming vibe.
Small Walt - Walt is the smallest snow plow on the lot, and they think he's too small to be of much help - until he proves himself by plowing the the top of the big hill!
Small Walt And Mow The Tow - Walt realizes he can't help a car that has slid off a snowy road - he needs help from a new friend, Mo the Tow!
Small Walt Spots Dot - In this book, a pesky dog causes trouble while the plows are trying to clear the streets - but Walt likes the little dog and wishes they could keep him.
The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear - In this book, Charles sets off with his toboggan to find a wish tree, but doesn't think he'll ever succeed...but he does meet some animal friends on the way. The illustrations in this one are modern, but I love they way different parts of the pictures seem to glow!
Learning To Ski With Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen - This book is a classic in our house at this point - Mr. Magee decides to go skiing with his "little dog Dee", but ends up in hijinks with a moose! The rhyming in the Mr. Magee books is just wonderful - I love the rhythm of the poems.
Snow Globe Family by Jane O'Conner - This is a cute book about a family who lives in a snow globe, which is located in the living room of another family. The snow globe family longs for the day when one of the big family members will cause a really big snow storm - it's been so long since they could go sledding! My kids find this book amusing, and it's a cute story! There is one illustration of the snow globe dad in the bath tub which my younger kids found a bit scandalizing, but other than that it was a hit.
Brave Irene by William Steig - This book is a classic, but I have actually never read it until this year. In this story Irene's mom makes a fancy ball gown for a duchess, but a snowstorm swirls up and the mom gets sick, so it's up to Irene to deliver the dress. It's a really sweet story, and I like the interactions between Irene and her mom.
The Most Perfect Snowman by Chris Britt - Drift the snowman is a very plain snowman, with no hat, gloves, scarf, or nose, and he gets made fun of by the other snowmen because of it. One day, some kids give him everything he's dreamed of - all the snowman clothes, and a lovely carrot nose! But he becomes the most perfect snowman ever when he's willing to give all that up to help someone else. Really sweet story, with fun and dreamy illustrations.
Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett - This story is exactly what it sounds like, with vibrant, imaginative illustrations of chicken Cinderella characters! We all thought it was really cute, and a fun reimagining of Cinderella.
Big Snow by Jonathan Bean - In this story, David helps his mom with chores while he waits for the snow to get deep enough to go out and explore. I think this one really captures the excitement of a snowy day for kids.
The Secret Staircase by Jill Barklem - Part of the Brambly Hedge series, this book follows Wilfred and Primrose as they head to the attic to prepare for the Midwinter concert - but they discover a secret staircase, leading to secrets rooms with all kinds of surprises! This might be my favorite Brambley Hedge book, and as always, the illustrations are so cute.
That's all I have to add to our winter book list for now! Non-Christmas winter books are so cozy and fun to read around our woodstove at the end of a homeschool day, and I look forward to continuing to add to our book list as the years go on!
I think my boys would love those Small Walt books!
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