Last Updated on November 8, 2023 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: On the hunt for good toddler winter books? These short and interactive books are our choice for January, during our snow and bear themes.
When planning our January theme activities, the first thing I do is decide on which books I will read.
Because toddlers and young preschoolers have shorter attention spans, I prefer books that aren’t too wordy and get the children involved.
I talk about this in my most popular video, The Secrets of a Successful Circle Time.
When filling out my planner, I look for books that will hold their interest, getting them involved.
I might even use props that can be displayed on the flannel board, or stick puppets the children can hold while I read.
(See our Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star props.)
This collection of toddler winter books is our favorite for January, and I refer to them as I plan the rest of our activities.
Selecting Toddler Winter Books According to Our Activities
So that you can better understand my choice of books, let me share an outline of our January areas of interest:
Week 1: Snow and Ice
Week 2: Snowmen
Week 3: Winter Clothing
Week 4: Bears in Winter
Often these areas will overlap, especially if I see that the children are really interested in a certain area.
I keep my planner flexible so that I can tweak our activities after carefully observing how engaged the children are.
Another thing to point out is that books are available throughout our preschool morning, not just during circle time.
We have a bookshelf filled with books in our reading area, plus baskets of books in various areas.
If you were to walk into our classroom, you might find a teacher sitting on the couch or the floor reading to a child, or a small group of children.
This might be during centers time, with children who finished their snack earlier than the others, or while transitioning to the next part of our morning.
This collection is also nice for the home library, too!
Our Favorite Collection of Best Toddler Winter Books
Hello, Snow!
Children gather to greet the arrival of snow and celebrate with snowy fun.
Ten Sparkly Snowflakes
Join the woodland animals as they get ready to play snowy games. A fun peek-through counting book that counts down from 10 to 1.
Make sure to download these free snowflake props that your children can hold while you read!
Little Bea and the Snowy Day
It’s snowing, so Bea and her friends go outside to play, having lots of chilly fun.
Millions of Snowflakes
A little girl plays outside on a cold winter day, counting each snowflake as it falls. A fun rhyming book that also includes counting.
Little Snowman: Finger Puppet Book
Use the attached snowman finger puppet, showing how the it slowly melts as the sun comes out.
Colors in the Cold
Build a snowman color by color with this cumulative book. Make sure to also download this free printable activity to go along with it!
Biscuit’s Snowy Day
There is a soft, powdery snow everywhere! Biscuit and friends have fun making snow angels, sledding, and snuggling.
The Itsy Bitsy Snowman
A winter wonderland twist to the classic nursery rhyme, The Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Make sure to download these free snowman props that the children can hold while you read this book!
Amy Loves the Snow
Amy loves to make footprints in the snow and making snowmen!
Will You Wear a Blue Hat?
A blue hat? Red mittens? Yellow scarf? Work on color recognition while learning about different winter clothing.
Let It Snow
Celebrate snow with ice skating, sledding, snowballs and snuggling indoors.
Red Mittens
A sweet book that shows how you can keep your hands warm even if you don’t have enough mittens.
Make sure to download these free mitten props that the children can hold while you read this book!
Snow Kisses
A rhyming celebration of snow and snuggles.
Where, Oh Where, is Baby Bear?
When Mama and Baby Bear go out to look for food one night, curious Baby Bear wants to wander and explore.
Winter
Celebrate the arrival of the winter season with pictures of a jolly snowman, sparkling snowflake, a winter forest and more!
Baby Bear Sees Blue
Baby Bear explores the outside with his mama, seeing green leaves, blue jays, brown trout, and a patch of yummy strawberries. A fun way to add some color recognition to your circle time.
Old Bear
Take a walk with Old Bear as he goes through the seasons.
Make sure to download these free bear props that your children can hold while reading this book!
More Book Ideas
Favorite Books for Busy Toddlers
The Best Singable Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers
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