Happy January! Each January, I really enjoy focusing on titles that are both cozy but also celebrate the climate that they get to enjoy here in the Midwest! Below are some of my favorite cozy or wintry reads that I have been sharing with my outreach storytime patrons!
The Lumberjack’s Beard
by Duncan Beedie
Big Jim, the lumberjack lives in a small cabin in the middle of the woods and always starts off his day with limbering stretches and a huge plate of pancakes and maple syrup. After a long day of chopping down trees, Big Jim has a disgruntled guest show up at his door. It turns out, if you cut down all of the trees in the forest, there are going to be some displaced animals. Where are they to live?
This title is a great title for teaching young people about cause and effect, animal habitats, and the importance of nature. It is also a rather delightful read!
Dinosaur’s Binkit
by Sandra Boynton
Little Dinosaur cannot get ready for bed without a very important lovey! Binkit is missing, no teeth can be brushed or jammies can be donned without the love of binkit. Follow this short journey into the life of a young one fretting over their beloved blankey through lift and flap interactives! You can never go wrong with a Sandra Boynton but this title is extra special. As a mom with two kiddos especially attached to lovies, I can relate!
This work teaches parents (me) to slow down and focus on what is important and taking a moment to breathe.
Snow Falls
by Kate Gardner, illustrated by Brandon James Scott
Winter is officially here and the snow has begun to fall! Will you go outside and sled or will you stay inside for hot cocoa?
I really enjoy reading this title each year because it allows for great conversation with young readers. Before I share this title with my young audience, I always ask them what they like to do in the snow and then we see if what they enjoy doing pops up in the story! With concise dialog and gorgeous illustrations by Scott, this work is truly a joy to share with young people!
Pop-up Peekaboo! Winter
by Amy Grimes
What are Arctic animals up to in the winter? Find out in this highly interactive and enjoyable pop-up board book!
My daughter loves this series of books. They are highly educational and the pop-ups are next level cool!
Wilfred
by Ryan T. Higgins
Wilfred is a giant, hairy, and very lonely monster, who wants a friend more than anything. When Wilfred discovers a little town of peculiar children, he runs onto a playground terrifying all but one brave little boy. The pair become fast friends but the other peculiar townspeople have a rather mean plan for Wilfred.
Wilfred is a great redemption story that helps strengthen emotional intelligence and cause and effect skills!
A Little Book About Winter
by Leo Lionni
Winter is a time for celebration, eating, gathering, playing outside, and warming up by the fire. Follow a mouse family as they navigate it all!
This simple and adorably (even if it is covered in mice) illustrated board book will share many wonderful activities and celebrations that only happen in the winter!
Ned the Knitting Pirate
by Diana Murray, illustrated by Leslie Lammle
“The Pirates were a rugged lot, as fierce as they were strong, and as they swabbed the deck one day, they sang a pirate song…” A pirate crew is brought to stitches when one of their fellow mates shares his love for knitting. The captain “won’t be hearing knitting talk,” and tries to end Ned’s knitting adventures. Just when you think that poor Ned has to give up his craft and life calling, a hero is needed. Can Ned save the day and make the Captain eat his words? I sure hope so!
This is a wonderful story told in rhyme that I love to share each year around this time. Ned the Knitting Pirate has such a great message that it is okay to be your own person and a hero lies in all of us! I also get the opportunity to sing and talk like a pirate, what isn’t to love about this title! Seriously, please check this one out and then I want to talk to you about it!
Have you read any of these titles? I would love to hear about what you thought of them in the comments!