Winter themed chapter books make perfect read alouds for the cold weather days ahead. Some of these are books about winter, others simply evoke snowy, frosty landscapes that make you want to snuggle up with a mug of tea. They are the best kind of book to read with your children during the holidays or when the blizzards are raging outside.
The winter-themed books on this list are primarily middle grade fiction. They are good independent reads for kids ages 8 and up, but kids younger than that will appreciate listening to many of them. Children’s listening comprehension is higher than their reading comprehension levels, so don’t be afraid to try out one of these titles. (As always, I’ve chosen all books based solely on my and my kids’ opinions. Affiliate links are included.)
I’ve divided the books up into smaller categories for ease of organization: animals, fairy tale-ish stories, ice skating and more realistic fiction (plus one non-fiction selection).
UPDATE: If you are looking for holiday books, these two lists should also help:
Fairy Tale Winter Chapter Books:
Neil Gaiman’s Odd and the Frost Giants is inspired by Norse Mythology. (Is there anything more perfect for a winter read than that?) In ancient Norway a boy named Odd is in the middle of a spell of bad luck. In the forest, he meets a bear, a fox and an eagle who tell him a strange story that sends him on a journey to save the city of the gods from the Frost Giants. Sound winter-y enough for you? I thought so. It’s really quite delightful and will make a fun read aloud while sipping a mug of hot cocoa. I’m told it’s a great choice for fans of Percy Jackson, though I have yet to read that bestselling series.
A while ago, when I used to do a Mom’s Bookshelf series (who knows, maybe I will again, eventually), I included Breadcrumbs
Icefall
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
I’ve never read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Moominland Midwinter
Nancy and Plum
Winter Chapter Books about Animals:
The Adventures of a South Pole Pig: A novel of snow and courage. I just read this aloud to the boys (ages 8 and 4) and thought it quite delightful. Atop her manure pile, Flora dreams of exciting adventures; she longs to get out into the world! She want to go on an expedition and run with the sled dogs! There’s just one problem. She’s a pig. Finding herself on a ship headed for Antarctica, she digs deep inside her optimistic and brave little self to make her dreams come true.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins. This Newbery Honor book from 1938 is still as funny today as it was then. Mr. Popper and his family adopt a penguin sent to them by an explorer. The brood grows to 12 penguins and hijinks ensue. We first listened to this as an audiobook when my youngest son was almost 4 and he enjoyed it immensely, especially the scene in which the Poppers flood the basement with water, then freeze it.
Stone Fox is an early chapter book I have on my list of books about boys. This is quite a touching story about Willy, who in order to save his grandfather’s farm decides to enter the annual dog sledding race. The resolution between Willy and the longtime winner of the race, Stone Fox, a Native American, is unexpectedly emotional. Readers who like books about dogs in snow should also check out Balto and the Great Race and (of course) The Call of the Wild, which is a free ebook as it is out of copyright now. Note: I no longer recommend Stone Fox, read this post to learn why. I leave it up on my list so that people can learn, as I do.Â
Ice Skating Chapter Books:
Twelve Kinds of Ice
For good old fashioned fun you can’t go wrong with one of the “Shoes” books. In Skating Shoes a doctor deems skating the ticket to Harriet’s recovery from and illness. She meets Lalla at the rink, and the two bond over their skating careers. This book is a fun read aloud.
In Sugar and Ice
Realities of Winter Chapter Books:
Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America
I no longer recommend this book. You can read why here.
I rarely include books I haven’t read on my lists, but I’m including The Winter Room 
More seasonal read aloud book lists for the whole family:
Lucy Mitchell says
December 9, 2013 at 10:18 amVery interesting! I love the sound of Nancy and Plum. Have you read On The Banks of Plum Creek? Its pretty boy friendly as there is so much detail about how they built (dug) their house.
Erica MomandKiddo says
December 10, 2013 at 11:08 amI read all the Little House books when I was growing up and did love them. We’ve only tried Farmer Boy, but we could try Plum Creek. I love how everyone is telling me to give the books another chance. I’ll have to listen to everyone’s advice!
teachingyoungchildren says
December 9, 2013 at 3:38 pmI see several titles here that I found intriguing. I read a couple of Neil Gaiman’s books and found them not age appropriate for younger kids, but I trust your judgement on this one. Now it’s time to put them on hold in our library.
Jen says
December 9, 2013 at 7:27 pmThanks for a great list! I love reading Winter-themed books during our hot Summers. My favourites are The Box of Delights by John Masefield and The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper. My boys didn’t like Farmer Boy either – which surprised me as I loved it as a child. They got freaked out by the first chapter about the school boy fighting with the teacher who whips him – maybe I’ll skip this chapter next time and see if they like it any better!
Erica MomandKiddo says
December 10, 2013 at 11:07 amThose two are great, too. Jen. I almost put Box of Delights on the list, but I forgot about The Dark is Rising. That would had been a good choice. The chapter with the whipping was about as far as we got too. It was a bit much! I had forgotten about that chapter, but I also don’t remember being freaked out by it as a kid — maybe I was, I just don’t remember.
Geoffrey says
December 9, 2013 at 10:11 pm“The Winter Room” definitely belongs on this list, and once you finish it, you’ll know why.
Erica MomandKiddo says
December 10, 2013 at 11:05 amThanks. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Jeanette Nyberg says
December 9, 2013 at 10:38 pmI’m going to go ahead and sit my kids down and make them listen to me read them Mr. Poppers Penguins. (Plus I requested a couple more from your list from the library. I love book people like you.
Erica MomandKiddo says
December 10, 2013 at 11:05 amYour kids will be begging you to keep reading Mr. Popper, especially if you do funny voices.
writersideup says
December 9, 2013 at 10:43 pmErica, do I love this list! ALL the covers are wonderful 🙂 I’ve only read “Narnia” though, just THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.
Of course, any time I hear about the “Shoes” books, I think of YOU’VE GOT MAIL 😀
Erica MomandKiddo says
December 10, 2013 at 11:03 amMe, too.
Sarah says
December 10, 2013 at 1:06 amIf my memory (and a friend’s recent comment) are correct, Little House in the Big Woods is more accessible than the other Little House books (the kids are younger, it’s also the first book – maybe she had to work harder to get someone to publish it). Also, I remember winter scenes in Wisconsin (such as melting snow to make a bath). The friend I recently spoke to said she read it to her daughter 15 times in a row when her daughter was 6 or 7. Now, that’s a recommendation!
Erica MomandKiddo says
December 10, 2013 at 11:03 amI know that most kids love them, as did I when I was younger. I’ll have to try again.
Melissa@Julia's Bookbag says
December 11, 2013 at 6:28 amLOVE. So many favorites!! Skating Shoes (the whole series) are among my very very favorites! Can’t wait to check out Nancy & Plum!
Erica MomandKiddo says
December 11, 2013 at 9:19 amYou will love it, Julia.
Amy @ Sunlit Pages says
December 11, 2013 at 3:42 pmI love this collection! (You know how I love seasonal reads . . . ) I’m so glad you included Skating Shoes. I loved all the Shoes books as a child, and I want kids to read them again! I’ve also been wanting to read Twelve Kinds of Ice and Breadcrumbs, so hopefully I’ll have a chance come January.
PramgaticMom says
December 15, 2013 at 4:47 pmCan I add an novel in verse? May B by Caroline Starr Rose.
Erica MomandKiddo says
December 16, 2013 at 6:35 amThanks for the tip! I haven’t read that one, yet.
Suzanne Holt says
December 30, 2014 at 5:46 pmThanks for telling about seasonal chapter books – harder to find this kind of list. Pinned.
E.S. Ivy says
January 15, 2015 at 6:52 pmMy girls love Jessica Day George. Dragon Slippers and Tuesdays at the Castle are two of their favorites. And Laura Ingalls Wilder is still one of my favorites. Sarah is correct – Little House in the Big Woods is the most accessible and easiest to read. The worst thing that happens is a cousin who doesn’t do what he’s told ends up getting stung all over by bees – but he survives! For the most part, Wilder left out the harsher things from her life out of her children’s books, but there are a few realities, mostly in the books about when she was older.
Erica MomandKiddo says
January 18, 2015 at 6:42 amI’ve read some interesting things about how Rose Wilder edited the books to make the Ingalls’ family appear more independent and self-reliant than communities actually were.
Ali says
October 11, 2016 at 5:38 pmI am just reading “Snow Treasure” by Marjorie McSwigan to my 8 year old historical fiction lover. She begs for me to read extra chapters every night. This is a true story about Norwegian school children who helped their country smuggle out gold bullion when the Nazi forces occupied their country during the spring of 1940. The protagonist is a boy but it also contains strong girl characters as well.
I’m re-reading “The Children of Noisy Village” by Astrid Lindgren to my 5-year-old (also read to my older daughter when she was 5). Each chapter is an individual story that all link together to tell a story about delightful children in a small village. Protagonist is a girl, but her older brothers are lively characters as well.
Erica says
October 12, 2016 at 8:54 amHi Ali, Thanks for the recommendation. I adore The Children of Noisy Village. My vintage copy has a special place on my bookshelf! 🙂 I’ve not read Snow Treasure, so that you for that and I’ll see if I can find a copy!
Christy says
October 20, 2016 at 10:10 pmI just stumbled upon your site today and I’m in love…. 🙂 I have two little boys (8 & 5) and I’ve been reading chapter books at bedtime to them now for just over a year.
For us, it started with my oldest’s first grade teacher saying he had an issue with his attention span and that maybe a regular read aloud might benefit him. She recommended that I read “The Read Aloud Handbook” by Jim Trelease. I read it and was inspired to get started right away. We are now on our thirty-second chapter book, Hans Brinker & the Silver Skates” by Mary Mapes Dodge. So far, they love it.
I usually like to have a couple books planned out in advance, and so today I googled “Best Chapter books to read in Winter”…. and here I am. When we have finished with the Brinker family’s adventure, I’ll be sure to pick up a few of these recommendations. I love your site, and will definitely be back frequently! -Christy
Erica says
October 21, 2016 at 6:46 amI’m delighted to hear this, Christy! Happy reading!
Ramona says
January 5, 2019 at 11:57 amI highly recommend The Greenglass House by Kate Milford. A wonderful, winter mystery! And it has a sequel, The Ghosts of Greenglass House (which I haven’t read yet)
Erica says
January 8, 2019 at 8:40 amYes, love that book! It’s on a few other lists. 🙂