Winter is most definitely upon us and with it comes (hopefully) a chance to build a snowman or two, (definitely) the struggle to keep mittens ON, and (optimistically) time to enjoy the season! We’ve got some great books to recommend to celebrate snowmen, winter, and yes those obligatory mittens!
by Ally Cooper
Title: The Biggest, Best Snowman
Author: Margery Cuyler
Best for: Toddlers & Preschoolers
What it's about: Little Nell is the smallest in her family, and is often told that she is too small to do things. But she shows her big sisters when she goes out in the woods with her friends Reindeer, Hare, and Bear Cub, to make the biggest, best snowman. A great story about teamwork and proves to young children that they too can do big things, when they work together and don’t give up.
Title: Snowmen at Night
Author: Caralyn Buehner
Best for: Toddlers & Preschoolers
What it's about: What do you think snowmen do at night when we’re sleeping? Told in rhyming verse, colourful illustrations show what one little boy things might happen at night – the snowmen have lots of fun with their snowmen friends! Great story to stir the imagination.
Title: Snow Party
Author: Harriet Ziefert
Best for: All ages
What it's about: One quiet night in the snow-covered woods, as if by magic, snow women, men, and snow children began to appear. They prepare for a special party – to celebrate the "shortest day of the year." It’s a snow party! Neat way to talk to children about how early it gets dark outside this time of year.
Title: The Mitten
Author: Jan Brett
Best for: Toddlers & Preschoolers
This is based on a Ukrainian folktale and has become a classic winter tale. Though it’s not based on a matching theme, it would go well with a mitten matching craft! A little boy named Nicki has a pair of white mittens made for him by his grandmother. He drops one in the woods and can’t find it because it is the same colour as the snow. However, it serves as a cosy resting place for the woodland animals who find it, and eventually return it to Nicki through a bit of magic.
Title: Missing Mittens
Author: Stuart Murphy
Best for: Toddlers & Preschoolers
What it's about: This cute story introduces children to the concept of odd and even numbers (because mittens come in pairs!) but can be enjoyed just for the story itself. Written in rhyme, it’s the story of Farmer Bill, who has to outfit himself, his cow, and all of his animals in their mittens. Some go missing however, thanks to the farmer's goat!
