Happy New Year! While it still doesn't feel like winter in New England as it's currently 44 degrees and raining, it does, however, feel like winter in all eight of the above board books. For additional winter board book suggestions, you'll find my post from last January here, as well as a previous post here.
What are some of your winter-themed favorites?
1. All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle with illustrations by Barbara Lavallee
New to board book format, All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle (author of Little Blue Truck) is a delight to read as the rhythmic text and larger-than-life imagery brings children's imaginations to life as they envision what they'd need to make a snowman.
"One small snowflake fluttering down---that's all you need for a snowman. Except, two more snowflakes...three flakes...four...five...six...seven thousand...eught million more.... Billions of snowflakes piled in a mound, pat them and pack them and roll them around..."
For a snowy day, All You Need for a Snowman is a perfect story time companion and a great introduction to snowman building for siblings and toddlers.
2. Snow Still by Holly Surplice
I love the vibrant color pallet of this book. As a little fawn walks through the snow every page illustrates a new experience for the fawn. With only two words on every page -- "Snow white. Snow slide. Snow chase. Snow hide. Snow find. Snow still..." -- the book not only seems to encourage children to observe the outdoors, but also to wonder at nature and the beauty of winter.
3. Winter in the Forest by Rusty Finch with illustrations by Katya Longhi
Another lift-the-flap surprise book in the series by Rusty Finch. With the same scenes in each book, children will notice how the forest changes with the seasons from book to book and how new animals and new forest growth appear. Full of holly bushes with bright berries, fir trees covered in snow, owls hiding and a variety of birds scattered throughout the pages, there's a lot to explore and as always the sturdy flaps are a big draw for parents with little ones.
4. The Moon is a Silver Pond by Sara Cassidy with illustrations by Josee Bisaillon
You can find the moon in many things. "The moon is a silver pond. A pail of milk...a shiny hubcap. The head of a nail...a lost button...." With a wintry pallet of blues, purples, reds, browns, and grays, with pops of yellows, The Moon is a Silver Pond is the kind of book that challenges children to make connections between similar shapes and colors and to observe the world around them. What else reminds you and your little one(s) of the moon?
5. Snowball Moon by Fran Cannon Slayton with illustrations by Tracy Bishop
I really love the rhythmic text throughout Snowball Moon. At times the illustrations seem a tad too animated for me but the title is so creative and my kids love the idea of this gigantic snowball moon that's so bright that you can go outside and play in the middle of the night. "Snowball moon, bright as noon. Mittens, boots, warm snowsuits. Grab the sled from the shed, race outside for a ride. Down the hill, winter thrill...."
A book that captures the spontaneity of childhood and the stillness of a snowy evening, Snowball Moon is one that both my kids still love.
6. Winter is Here by Kevin Henkes with illustrations by Laura Dronzek
"Winter is here. It's Everywhere" are the opening lines of Winter is Here. Snow is falling from the sky, it's sitting on houses, and dripping from roofs. With text by Henkes that's never a disappointment, Winter is Here is a winter favorite that is just as much of a joy from its text as well as its illustrations by Laura Dronzek.
Inside an igloo, a family of penguins looks out the window at the falling snowflakes. As five penguins get ready to go outside, they'll need mittens, scarves, socks (one for each foot) and boots! Parents will be able to relate to the chaos as the little penguins scurry about looking for everything they need to go outside as socks are scattered and the excitement of snow outside leaves a bit of a mess inside.
Next, it's time to test the snow. It's deep. Very deep. After their fun in the snow they head back inside for warm cookies. I like that Cynthia Rylant picked something besides hot chocolate, which is a winter favorite, but warm cookies is a refreshing new substitute.
With illustrations by Caldecott honor winner, Christian Robinson, Little Penguins is a book that children won't easily forget with its silhouetted penguins, who, like so many children, are eager to enjoy the wintry wonderland outside. No matter the temperatures.
8. Red Sled by Lita Judge
With a bright color pallet that reminds me of books by Jan Brett, Red Sled by Lita Judge is a silent book in the sense that while there are words, they are the sounds of the animals as they go exploring. With a cozy house in the distance, a bear approaches and curiously looks at the red sled resting up against the little house. "Scrunch scrunch scrunch scrunch..." goes the bear as he walks through the snow. Met by a hare---the bear and the hare excitedly take a ride on the sled. Soon a moose appears, eying them from afar. You know what happens next! Soon the little red sled is full of eager sledders as the bear, the hare, the moose, two raccoons, an opossum, and a porcupine all slide down the hill. Until...animals in the air everywhere! Crash. "Scrinch scrunch scrinch scrunch..." goes the bear as he carries the sled back to where he found it.
The next day, the owner of the sled looks at the tracks beside it very suspiciously. "Hmmm." But of course, that doesn't stop the animals from taking another ride on the sled the next night.
Such a fun one for children and those silly animals have so much character thanks to Judge's detailed illustrations.
