We are trying a new feature on Redeemed Reader and hope our readers will participate! Periodically we will choose a storytime theme that may be enjoyed at home, in a classroom, or at a library. We will suggest 3-5 titles and a few alternates that may work with a variety of children’s ages.

Printable list

Winter Theme: Let It Snow!

Snow by Uri Shulevitz. Sunburst Books, 2004. (Caldecott Honor) In spite of the doubtful predictions in the media and the skepticism of the adults that one or two flakes will amount to anything, a boy and his dog are confident in hope that “It’s snowing!” Marvelous illustrations and a simple story that children can relate to.   Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, illustrated by Susan Jeffers. Dutton Juvenile, 2001 (re-print from 1978). Frost’s famous poem set against inventive and informative illustrations.   Blizzard by John Rocco. Disney-Hyperion, 2014. Based on the real life blizzard of 1978, Blizzard shows a town receiving a whopping 50+ inches of snow, a young boy’s delight in the wintry beauty, and his efforts to serve those around him while they wait for a snow plow.   Snowballs by Lois Ehlert. HMH Books for Young Readers, 1999. Ehlert’s charming collage illustrations of a snowman family made with found objects will delight young children (and inspire their own creativity!).

Related titles:

• Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser. A humorous title worth seeking out! (It’s out of print.) Three animals do not know what snow looks like and wait patiently for their first snowfall.
• The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino with Jon Nelson, Ph.D. A fantastic and comprehensible explanation of how snow is made, with amazing photos of snowflakes.
• Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. Caldecott-winning picture book biography of a snowflake photographer. (See Bentley’s actual collection of photos here!)
• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Caldecott-winning picture book of a young boy’s delight in the snow.
• Winter Poems selected by Barbara Rogasky and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. A seasonal collection of poems with wonderful illustrations.
• Our Winter Book Fair list also had some great “snow” books on it!

 Check out the 551 section (Dewey decimal number) in your library’s nonfiction shelves for more snow/winter books.

Other winter activities:

Megan’s favorite hot chocolate mix recipe (though I leave out the cayenne pepper) Betsy recommends making paper snowflakes…but not the kind you’re thinking of!

And now, a word from our readers…

What are your favorite books about snow or winter? Do you have any favorite snow activities either inside or outside? A favorite hot chocolate recipe? Do you have a blog where you share your ideas? Tell us in the comments and provide a link if you have one! We look forward to your contributions and to visiting your pages. (And do let us know how you like this feature so we can plan for the coming months!) Printable booklist

Cover images from Amazon and CraftGossip