Snow, Snow, Snow!

These cozy, snowy stories are perfect for bedtime or for curling up on the couch! From beautiful wordless books about snowmen and polar bears to colorful stories about the magical experience of a character's first snowfall, these stories will provide enjoyment for readers young and old alike.  Many of the books are available in Spanish.

For related lesson plans and videos, see our resource page on snow and ELLs!

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Stomps the Snow

 Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Stomps the Snow
Age Level: 6-9

When a freak spring blizzard buries Starwood Park, Freddie works with Mr. Vaslov to clear the sidewalks using a new invention―Zapato Power snowshoes! But not even the snow can stop a thief from causing trouble in the neighborhood. Can Freddie solve the case, even if it means helping Erika, the Starwood Park bully?

A Sled for Gabo

Young boy in the snow
Illustrated by: Ana Ramírez González
Age Level: 6-9

On the day it snows, Gabo sees kids tugging sleds up the hill, then coasting down, whooping all the while. Gabo wishes he could join them, but his hat is too small, and he doesn’t have boots or a sled. But he does have warm and welcoming neighbors in his new town who help him solve the problem in the sweetest way possible!

A Thousand White Butterflies

Girl near snowy window
Illustrated by: Gina Maldonado
Age Level: 6-9
Language: Spanish

Isabella has recently arrived from Colombia with her mother and abuela. She misses Papa, who is still in South America. It's her first day of school, her make-new-friends day, but when classes are canceled because of too much snow, Isabella misses warm, green, Colombia more than ever. Then Isabella meets Katie and finds out that making friends in the cold is easier than she thought!

Amadi's Snowman

Young Nigerian boy thinking
Illustrated by: Dimitrea Tokunbo
Age Level: 6-9

"Amadi, an Igbo boy in sun-drenched Nigeria, sees no point in learning to read, until he sees a picture of a snowman in a book and is curious to find out more. He wants to learn about the far-off country where frozen rain falls from the sky — a world so different from his own — and the chance to read about it fills him with joy. Children will enjoy reading about Amadi's life in the village, depicted in the earth-toned, intimate scenes.

Babies in the Park: Winter Babies

Illustrated by: Adela Pons

Spirited, rhyming text and colorful, graphic art reveal an energetic cast of babies having an action-packed day of play in the park on a cheerful winter day. Featuring diverse characters and highlighting early concepts like shapes and repetition, books in the Babies in the Park series encourage an appreciation of nature and outdoor imaginative play.

Breadcrumbs

By: Anne Ursu
Age Level: Middle Grade (9-14)
Language: English

Hazel is having trouble fitting in to her new school, although based on her experience of having been adopted, she is no stranger to feeling like an outsider. The only tolerable thing about school is that her best friend and next-door neighbor, Jack, is there with her each day. Then Jack disappears into an enchanted forest with a winter witch, and Hazel realizes that only she alone can rescue her friend. As she sets out on her treacherous journey, she soon discovers that the hard part may not be finding Jack — it may be convincing him to come home.

Cold and Hot

Illustrated by: Anna Rich
Age Level: 3-6
Language: English, Spanish

An African American boy’s family lovingly piles so much clothing on him that he quickly goes from feeling cold to feeling hot. Spanish version available.

Diary of an Ice Princess #1: Snow Place Like Home

Ice Princess with dog and castle
Illustrated by: Barbara Szepesi Szucs
Age Level: 6-9, 9-12

Princess Lina has a life any kid would envy. She lives in a massive palace in the clouds. Everyone in her family has the power to control the wind and weather. On a good day, she can even fly! She loves making lemons into lemon ice, riding wind gusts around the sky, and turning her bedroom into a real life snow globe.There's just one thing Lina wants: to go to regular, non-magical school with her best friend Claudia. She promises to keep the icy family secret under wraps. What could go wrong? (EVERYTHING!)

Home of the Brave

This novel, written in free verse, tells the story of Kek, an eleven-year-old boy from the Sudan who arrives as a refugee to Minnesota in the middle of winter. In moments both amusing and heartbreaking, it is possible to see through Kek's eyes what it is like for new immigrants who come to this country and to think about the scars that war leaves on its youngest victims. Teacher's Guide available.

In the Snow

In the Snow
Age Level: 3-6
Language: Chinese

Xiao Ming and his mother are spending a winter day in the forest, and the snow is the perfect place to draw characters for words such as "tree" and "sparkling." Xiao Ming's mother helps him see the picture within each character — a trick sure to appeal to readers new to the Chinese written language. The colorful, intricate illustrations, created by cut-paper collages, will fascinate young children. This book is one of a four-part series by the author about Chinese characters related to the different seasons.

Marco Flamingo / Marco Flamenco

Marco Flamingo waits every winter for the snowbirds to fly south. "What's snow?" he asks them. He finally decides that he has to see the snow for himself — and he can't get enough of it once he finds it! Brightly colored illustrations will delight and entertain readers of all ages. English and bilingual version available.

Molly of Denali: Little Dog Lost

Molly of Denali: Little Dog Lost
By: WGBH Kids
Age Level: 3-6

When Anka, Tooey's new sled dog, goes missing, what can Molly and Tooey do to make sure the lost dog finds her way home? Produced by WGBH Boston, Molly of Denali is an action-adventure comedy that follows the adventures of feisty and resourceful 10-year-old Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native girl. She is of Gwich'in, Koyukon, and Dena'ina Athabascan descent.

Polar Slumber / Sueño Polar

This beautiful wordless picture book takes us on a magical journey through a young girl's dreams about her new polar bear friends. Young readers will pore over the lush illustrations of snowflakes, adorable polar bear cubs, cozy blankets, and the Northern lights. An accompanying poem is included at the end of the text. Bilingual or English version available.

Robert's Snow

Robert's Snow
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

"A little mouse resides with his family in a leaky, old, leather boot that constantly needs repair. As winter approaches, the others are all for sealing themselves inside to shut out the cold. Robert has always yearned to play in the snow, so when he accidentally slips out of his window, he is delighted. Soon, however, he becomes lost and must be saved by a 'big animal' with red fur and blue eyes.

Robert's Snowflakes

Robert's Snowflakes
By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

"When doctors told Lin and her husband that a cure for cancer was his greatest hope of survival, they decided to raise money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Lin called upon fellow children's book authors and illustrators, and a project was born—each one would decorate a wooden snowflake that was then auctioned, raising over $100,000…Featuring reproductions of work by Eric Carle, David Shannon, Emily Arnold McCully, Eric Rohmann, Denise Fleming, Ian Falconer, and Lin herself, the book is a handsome showcase of art." — School Library Journal

Soup Day

A young girl inhales aroma from warm soup
Age Level: 0-3, 3-6

A mother and her child get the ingredients for soup on a snowy day and then add everything to the pot. The pair plays snug and warm while the soup simmers until Dad comes home when they enjoy soup together. Crisp collage and a simple text make for a cozy read.

Stranger in the Woods

Stranger in the Woods

Who is in the woods? When did he get here? The animals of the forest are wondering how this quiet stranger came to their home. Beautiful, whimsical photos and text complete this winter fantasy of what happens when a snowman arrives in the forest. Spanish version available.

The Snowman

The Snowman

In Raymond Brigg's charming tale, a little boy makes friends with a snowman. He wakes up on a snowy day, tells his mother he's going outside, then begins a flurry of snowman-building. That night, he can't sleep, so he opens the front door and lo! the snowman has come to life. Spanish version available.

The Snowman's Path

Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 3-6

Product Description: One moonlit night Nathan hears the snowman singing. A little afraid, but fascinated, Nathan steps out of the shadows and offers him a cookie. And a miraculous friendship begins. Raúl Colón's dazzling paintings pull readers instantly into the wondrous world of Helena Clare Pittman's captivating fantasy.

The Snowy Day

The Snowy Day
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Spanish

The Snowy Day is the simple, beloved tale of a boy waking up to discover that snow has fallen during the night. The little boy celebrates the snow-draped city with a day of humble adventures. Spanish version available.

Tracks in the Snow

Tracks in the Snow
Age Level: 3-6

A child follows animal tracks in the snow, wondering aloud "Who made the tracks?/Where do they go?" Gentle illustrations depict the child's walk across a snowy landscape while animals watch from afar. Only upon returning home is it revealed that the tracks were made yesterday when the child was "Out playing in the snow!"

Whale Snow

Illustrated by: Annie Patterson
Age Level: 6-9

Amiqqaq is home with his grandmother when fat flakes begin to fall. She refers to the precipitation as "whale snow," which occurs when a whale has given itself to the people of their Alaskan village. Soon Amiqqaq's father comes in to announce the kill, and then takes the boy to see the great beast. Before long, Amiqqaq begins to understand the true spirit of the whale, as members of his community come together to celebrate and prepare its different parts for use. — Booklist

When This World Was New

Illustration of a boy in his first snowfall
Illustrated by: Enrique O. Sanchez

Danilito is excited about coming to America, but he is also scared — it is so different and cold, and he doesn't speak any English. Then he experiences his first snowfall. After feeling the snowflakes on his cheek and leaving footprints in the snow, he begins to feel a little more confident in this new country. Warm illustrations bring an immigrant family's journey, and their first snowfall, to life. Spanish version available.

Winter Walk in the City

A young child walks through the snow
Illustrated by: Melanie Hall
Age Level: 0-3

Take a walk through the city in winter and experience the sights, sounds, colors, and smells of the multitude of different holidays we celebrate this season. From Hanukkah and Christmas to Mawlid al-Nabi and Chinese New Year, everyone has a reason to celebrate. With simple rhymes, a counting pattern, and stunning papercraft art reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats, this diverse board book is the perfect introduction to the cultural melting pot that makes the city so special.