14 Great Books for Kids to Curl Up With This Winter
Winter is the perfect time to slow down, get cozy, and dive into some great books with your kids.
Between shuttling back and forth from school and work, and enjoying cold outdoor activities like ice skating, there’s something about winter that makes curling up with a hot chocolate and a good book feel extra cozy. Let the winter chill outside make your indoor reading moments even more memorable with these awesome books!
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Early Readers
The Tale of the Other Glove by Monica Berg
Ages: 5-12
This sweet story was inspired by Monica Berg’s 10-year-old daughter, Abigail, and based on a real encounter she had in the New York City subway. When Abigail in the story meets an unhoused person, it makes her think about what “right” and “wrong” really mean. Through this experience, she learns that kindness and empathy are about understanding others, not judging them.
This book shows that no act of kindness is ever wasted and that we’re all more alike than we might think. It’s a great way to talk to kids about empathy, generosity, and why being kind is more important than being right. The Tale of the Other Glove is a perfect reminder of how small acts of compassion can make a big difference.
The Night the Moon Was Hiding by Julie Dart
Ages: 0-5
When winter nights get long and chilly, there’s no better way to end the day than with The Night the Moon Was Hiding. This sweet story follows two young siblings and their Mom who search high and low for the moon … through the sky, the trees, and even the breeze, wondering where it could be. As they call out to the moon, their mom gently reassures them that it’s waiting for them to be tucked in before saying goodnight. This heartwarming tale reminds children that sometimes the moon waits for us to settle in before it shines its light.
With its soft, rhythmic text and comforting vibe, this book is perfect for winter evenings when you want to calm your child before bed or as a nightly bedtime ritual. The story is simple, soothing, and ideal for those quiet moments after a busy day of winter fun with beautiful illustrations that bring the story to life. Julie Dart was a preschool teacher and director for 10 years and is also the author of Ellie Stands Up To The Bully.
The Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg
Ages: 2 to 6 years
The Missing Mitten Mystery follows Annie and her dog, Oscar, as they search for Annie’s red mitten after a long day of playing in the snow. They look high and low at every spot they played in, who knows if it’s truly lost, or hidden in plain sight.
This book is perfect for showing kids how fun playing in the snow can be, but also to be mindful of what they may leave behind during all that fun.
The Monster at the End of the Book by Jon Stone
Ages: 1 to 4 years
A classic book for young readers, The Monster at the End of the Book follows our familiar friend Grover as he warns us nonstop about the monster at the end of the book. This book is a fun read with your little one that’ll keep them smiling to the end.
I Am the Storm by Jane Yolen
Ages: 3 to 5 years
Young children are unfamiliar and also frightened by extreme weather. I Am the Storm takes a peek at a tornado, a blizzard, a forest fire, and a hurricane along with warm family stories that portray preparedness and trust.
This book teaches kids about the complexity of nature, and how it has much more power than we initially realize, but with the right preparation, they can get through anything that comes their way.
Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty
Ages: 4 to 7 years
Aaron Slater loves hearing and creating stories. One day he is assigned to write a story of his own, but he can’t seem to decipher the squiggles on the page. He now has to find his own way of telling stories that are unique to who he is.
This book helps kids explore their imaginative selves and allows them see that they too can create things that come to their mind, no matter the setback.
Upper-Level Readers
COG by Greg van Eekhout
Ages: 8 to 12 years
COG follows five robots on an unforgettable journey to rescue their inventor. Cog is a young robot that has been left damaged after an accident. When he wakes up, he’s in an unknown lab and the scientist who created him is missing.
With the help of 4 accomplices, Cog starts a mission to find her and stop the corporation from controlling all of them. This is a fun adventure book that’ll surely keep your child reading for more.
The Sea in Winter by Christine Day
Ages: 8 to 12 Years
Maisie Cannon is not excited about her winter family road trip to the Makah community where her mother grew up.
After she hurt her leg and wasn’t able to keep up with her ballet training, her emotions took a turn for the worst. She has to work through her emotions to find her joy again, and maybe this trip will help her do just that.
Houdini and Me by Dan Gutman
Ages: 8 to 10 Years
Harry has always admired the escape artist Houdini. He lives in Houdini’s old New York City house and basically knows anything there is to know about him.
So, when Houdini claims to be contacting him from beyond the grave, Harry can’t help but listen to his favorite magician. Is it worth learning the secrets of Houdini’s tricks, or will a trick eventually be played on Henry?
Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
Ages: 10 to 12 Years
Best Friends, Bug and Moira, have the next two months of summer to prepare for middle school. For Moira, that’s learning about makeup, clothes, and boys.
For Bug, that’s trying to untangle the mystery of the ghost that is haunting her home, and her. Bug must figure out what the ghost is trying to tell her, and what she is deep down trying to tell herself about who she is.
8th Grade & Young Adult Readers
Pony by R. J. Palacio
Ages: 10 and up
Silas wakes up to his father being taken away by three menacing horsemen.
Along with his ghost companion Mittenwool and a pony that has shown up on his doorstep, Silas goes on a perilous journey to find his father. This is a great adventure book for young adult readers who want to read a story of self-discovery in the face of danger.
You Have a Match: A Novel by Emma Lord
Ages: 12-18 Years
Abby signs up for a DNA service and finds out she has a secret older sister. She decides to meet up with her long-lost sister, Savannah, during summer camp and find out why her parents gave her up for adoption.
During this search for answers, she finds out that Savannah isn’t what she expected, and her parents are hiding secrets that can change life as she knows it.
Ski Weekend by Rektok Ross
Ages: 15-18 Years
Sam is going on a road trip to Senior Ski weekend that she’s dreading. Along the ride is her brother, his best friend Gavin, Gavin’s dog, and three other classmates. On the way, the SUV crashes into a snowbank.
Sam and her friends soon find themselves stranded in the mountains with no cell phone service and freezing temperatures fast approaching. Soon the elements of nature take a turn for the worst and the need for survival becomes their only hope in getting through this ski weekend.
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Ages: 14 to 18
Daunis Fontaine dreams of a fresh start at college, away from all the things that don’t make her fit in in her hometown and nearby Ojibwe reservation. But tragedy strikes and she must stay home to look after her fragile mother.
Daunis then witnesses a murder that sweeps her up into an FBI investigation about a new lethal drug. Using her chemistry and native roots, Duanis tries to solve the source of the drug before more people get hurt.
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