Winter Picture Books for Your Classroom or Library
A curated list of winter picture books for classrooms and libraries. Includes wintery titles with magical illustrations, diverse stories, and easy extension activities you can use right away!
When the weather turns chilly and the days feel a little shorter, winter is the perfect season to bring cozy, magical picture books into your classroom or library. Whether you’re exploring snow, hibernation, winter animals, or seasonal traditions, these books spark curiosity and create warm reading moments on even the coldest days.
Here are some of my favourite winter picture books — plus simple activities you can pair with each title.
❄️Beautiful Snow Stories
These books are perfect for discussions about snow and seasonal changes.
✔️ The Snow Thief by Alice Hemming
A magical winter mystery about a town where all the snow has suddenly disappeared.
Activity Idea: Write or draw what you would do if the snow went missing and turn it into a class book: “If Winter Went Missing…”
✔️ Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
A beautifully told biography of Wilson Bentley, the first person to photograph snowflakes.
Activity Idea: This book pairs nicely with building a snowman. You’ll love this How to Make a Snowman digital writing activity.
✔️ Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
A gentle, beautifully illustrated story that follows two siblings as they walk through their town noticing the final signs of autumn and the arrival of winter.
Activity Idea: A lovely way to introduce the new season is with this Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter” book companion.
🐾Winter Animals & Hibernation Books
Perfect for students learning about migration, adaptation, and hibernation. If you like book displays - check out this hibernation display!
✔️ Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
Gorgeous nonfiction-fiction blend about what happens beneath the snow.
Activity Idea: Compare animal homes in winter vs summer. Create a simple T-chart.
✔️ Harold Hates to Hibernate by Vern Kousky
A funny and charming story about a bear who refuses to miss out on winter fun.
Activity Idea: Make a class chart of “Winter Fun vs. Winter Rest” and have students sort activities Harold would and wouldn’t want to do.
✔️ Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story by Sean Taylor
A gentle story that introduces young readers to hibernation through poetic text.
Activity Idea: Create a “What animals do in winter…” mini book.
⛄ Warm & Cozy Winter Tales (Friendship, Kindness & Joy)
Books with gentle themes — perfect for SEL, sharing circles, and community building.
✔️ My Footprints by Bao Phi
A winter story about identity, courage, and imagining yourself into something strong when the world feels unkind.
Activity Idea: Take students outside (or use trays of sand/snow indoors) to make different “footprints,” then draw or write about an animal they’d choose to walk beside them.
✔️ Frostfire by Elly MacKay
An absolutely beautiful story about bravery and helping others, set in a magical frozen world—perfect for older primary and junior readers.
Activity Idea: Use black paper and chalk pastels to create icy landscapes inspired by the book’s artwork, then write a short winter adventure to match their scene.
✔️ Words to Make a Friend by Donna Jo Napoli & Naoko Stoop
A multilingual story about two girls who build a friendship through gestures, kindness, and shared winter play—even without speaking the same language.
Activity Idea: Brainstorm “winter words” together and create a simple illustrated glossary. Students can add gestures or drawings to show how we communicate without words.
Cold winter days are perfect for a cozy procedural writing task. How to Make Hot Chocolate is one of my favourites because every student can create the perfect cup of cocoa! ☕
⏱️ Quick Winter Activities (No Prep!)
If you’re looking for some no-prep winter actitivities, I’ve added some of my favourites below!
Winter is such a magical time for picture books. Whether you’re teaching about snow, hibernation, climate, kindness, or seasonal change, these books bring cozy, meaningful moments to your classroom or library.
If you try any of these titles or activities, feel free to share on Instagram @booksandbytes — I always love seeing what you’re reading!
