Review: My Top 5 Winter Books for Littles

~ by Kendal

On the 1st December, we will be changing our Seasons Table over from Autumn to Winter. Although Autumn will always be my favourite season, I've never been so excited to acknowledge it passing into Winter. It means the festivities can truly begin, and now Ava is at an age where she can really appreciate lots of different things about this season

Next to our table (which is actually our fireplace) and our Christmas tree, we keep a basket of books that are particularly fitting for this month - books that celebrate the season and Yule. We plan to read some of these books every night, sitting next to the tree, and perhaps sipping a little hot chocolate, all the way through December. So let me share what are our favourite Winter books are this year, in no particular order.

All of these books are in our Amazon store if you want to find out more - just click on the title!

1. The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren

We got this for Ava last year, but she is starting to really appreciate the story - A story about a strange little creature that only animals and small children can see, who walks about the silent farmyard at night checking on the animals and sleeping humans, and dreaming of warmer summer days. We love this story because it captures some of the magic and strangeness of snowy, silent Winter nights.

2. Winter by Gerda Muller













The Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter books by Gerda Muller are one of my favourite series of all time. We got these for Ava when she was very young, but because there are no words, just beautifully depicted seasonal scenes, you can make up the story as you go along. These days, Ava is the one who makes up the story and she really loves these books. They take pride of place on our Seasons Table.

3. The Mitten by Jan Brett











This was the first book Ava was ever given as a gift. It's a story about a boy whose Grandma knits him a pair of mittens. He loses one, and gradually different animals find their way inside, stretching it huge.

It's quite a simple story but the animals make it a firm favourite with Ava and it is a brilliant book to read out loud. It has a very enchanting, nostalgic feel.

4. Ollie's Ski Trip by Elsa Beskow













We got this book recently because, frankly, we're a little obsessed with Elsa Beskow, and although it is quite wordy, Ava has been quite taken with it. The pictures are lovely and the story is as magical and simple as all of Elsa Beskow's stories are - A boy who is given his very first pair of skis and decides to use them to set off on a Winter adventure to see Jack Frost and King Winter, who shows Ollie his Ice Palace where all the presents are made. (A nice alternative to Santa Clause if, like us, you don't do Santa!)

5. The Story of the Snow Children by Sybille Van Olfers

Ava's Solstice book last year was The Story of the Root Children which we instantly fell in love with, so this was one of her winter books this year. It is whimsical and has a simple, yet heartwarming tale. The snow children are dancing snowflakes, who promise a girl they will take her to meet the Snow Queen, and off she goes to meet a princess and enjoy a beautiful feast. It is a classic and a perfect tale for young children.


What are your favourite Winter books?