Winter Reading is here! December 7 officially marks the kick-off of our month-long program. Just like Summer Learning, Winter Reading encourages participants of all ages to keep reading through all of the school breaks and holiday celebrations of the season. Be sure to sign up to get a free book (youth) or tote bag (adults) just for registering, then log your reading this winter for a chance to win a grand prize!
Here in the Bay Area, we may not get the classic winter snowfall, but we can still get in the winter mood with winter-themed picture books in English and Spanish. You can even double down on chilling out with a trip to Antarctica and then warm up by celebrating all the wonderful holidays we love in winter.
Winter Time
Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
Readers. In this Caldecott Award winning wordless picture book, a wolf cub and little girl are lost in the snow and must find their way home.
One Snowy Day by Diana Murray
Pre-Readers. In this rhyming counting book, one energetic puppy and two children set out for some snowy day fun.
Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer
Pre-Readers & Readers. Bauer has a gift for making science accessible to young children. This tale of a fox’s preparations for winter will delight as well as show young readers how not all animals prepare for winter in the same way.
A Thousand White Butterflies by Jessica Betancourt-Perez
Pre-Readers & Readers. Newly arrived from Colombia, Isabella's first day of school in the United States is cancelled because of snow and when Isabella notices a girl playing outside she makes a new friend, despite the language barrier.
Find more great books on the SJPL Picks: Winter Time booklist.
Libros ilustrados sobre el invierno para niños
Mi oso grande, mi oso pequeño y yo by Margarita del Mazo
"Es bueno tener un oso, pero la protagonista de esta historia tiene dos: el grande posee la fuerza de un gigante, el pequeño es suave como el algodón. Acompaña a nuestra protagonista en su divertido día de la mano de sus dos osos."--Casadellibro.com
Tarde De Invierno by Jorge Luján
Una niña está cerca de una ventana helada, esperando que su madre regrese a casa. La niña hace dibujos en la condensación del cristal de la ventana mientras se pregunta dónde está su madre y cuando va a regresar.
Un día de nieve by Ezra Jack Keats
Es un día de nieve en una ciudad y Peter sale a vivir aventuras en la nieve.
Tren de invierno by Susanna Isern
Todos los años, en el invierno, los animales del bosque toman un tren que los lleva a tierras más cálidas. Esta es una historia hermosa de amistad y solidaridad.
Find more great winter books in Spanish on the Libros ilustrados sobre el invierno para niños booklist.
Antarctica
Waiting for Joey: An Antarctic Penguin Journal by Jean Pennycook
Readers. How do Adelie penguins live and adapt to the changing climatic conditions of Antarctica? The author relates 10 years of observation, tracing the story of one penguin she calls Joey. Children will relate to both the penguins and the author's sense of adventure as she becomes an expert penguin scientist. Richly illustrated with photos taken on-site at the research station in Antarctica.
The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond
Pre-Readers & Readers. The is a gorgeously illustrated nonfiction picture book about the blue whale. It is full of relatable facts from every day life that help to make the size and habits of the blue whale easily comprehensible and engaging.
Ten Animals in Antarctica by Moira Count
Pre-Readers. Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, driest continent in the world, with icy deserts, mountain ranges, and volcanoes-some buried deep under the ice. Antarctica is home to some amazing and unique animals. How many can you count?
Find more great books in the SJPL Picks: Antarctica booklist.
Winter Holidays
The Ninth Night of Hanukkah by Erica S. Pearl
Pre-Readers & Readers. It's Hanukkah, and Max and Rachel are excited to light the menorah in their family's new apartment. But, unfortunately, their Hanukkah box is missing. Luckily, their neighbors happily help, offering thoughtful, often humorous, stand-ins each night. Then,just as Hanukkah is nearly done, Max and Rachel, inspired by the shamash ("helper") candle, have a brilliant idea: to celebrate the Ninth Night of Hanukkah as a thank you to everyone!
Uno, Dos, Tres, Posada! by Virginia L. Kroll
Pre-Readers & Readers. A little girl guides the reader through each step of a posada, a Hispanic holiday tradition celebrated on the nine nights before Christmas.
Li'l Rabbit's Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington
Pre-Readers & Readers. L'il Rabbit searches for a gift for his grandmother when she is sick during Kwanzaa, and surprises her with the best gift of all. Includes "The Nguzo Saba - The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa.
Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Paradeby Lyla Lee
Readers. Mindy is excited to go to the Lunar New Year parade in her new town with her father and her friend Sally, but things don't go as planned.
Find more great books celebrating winter holidays in the SJPL Picks: Winter Holidays booklist.
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