Winter themed chapter books make perfect family read alouds for cold weather days.
Families with children of all ages will love this list of books that evoke snowy, frosty landscapes. So after your come inside from a fun day of sledding and skating, make some hot cocoa, snuggle up with the kids and enjoy some cozy reading time.
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I've divided the books up into smaller categories for ease of organization: fantasy, realistic fiction and animal stories (plus one non-fiction selection). Age recommendations are for listeners. Independent reading age recommendations may vary.
Fantasy Winter Chapter Books
Odd and the Frost Giants
by Neil Gaiman
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 chocolate. It's a great choice for kids who love Percy Jackson and mythology. Ages 7 and up.
Breadcrumbs
by Anne Ursu
Breadcrumbs is inspired by Hans Christian Andersson's The Snow Queen. Families will love to spot the literary references and will also be reminded of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Hazel and Jack are friends, but one day when Jack gets a piece of glass in his eye he is whisked away by a strange, evil woman to a land of snow. Hazel sets out on a journey to find her friend and return home. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Fairy tale chapter books for kids
Icefall
by Mathew Kirby
Solveig and her brothers, along with berserkers sent to protect them, wait anxiously through the winter, trapped in a fortress near snowy mountains and the frozen sea. While they wait for word from their father the King, it slowly becomes clear that someone amongst them is a traitor, but who? This is a thrilling mystery for kids who like stories that keep them perched on the edge of their chair in tense anticipation. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Adventure chapter books for kids
Moominland Midwinter
by Tove Jansson
What would winter be without a little Finnish madness? Nothing I tell you. Moomins normally sleep through the winter, but this year, Moomintroll has woken up early and sets out to discover the truth about winter. Ages 5 and up.
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
by Jessica Day George
I've always liked the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon and I've read a couple of novel-length versions of the tale. This one is my favorite. In an effort to save her family, Lass accompanies a polar bear to the North Pole. If she can survive one year and a day, her family will be rewarded with wealth. What she doesn't know, however, is the polar bear is hiding a secret. Ages 9 and up.
Nancy and Plum
by Betty MacDonald
This 1952 book from the author of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is the perfect recipe for an old-fashioned read aloud: two orphaned sisters, an unctuous boarding school mistress who feeds them hard oatmeal, a wealthy bachelor uncle, a Christmas setting and a feel good ending in which the bad fail and the good triumph. Read it aloud over the winter break when the kids are home from school. Ages 6 and up.
MORE: Christmas chapter books to read aloud
Voyage of the Frostheart
by Jamie Littler
I read aloud this exciting tale of a brave boy who heads out on an adventure and my son was on the edge of his seat. Ash has the gift of song, which makes him an outcast in Fira, his adopted community. But he takes off on the Frostheart, a ship manned by an unusual group of people and creatures, in order to find out what happened to his parents. The crew of the Frostheart isn't afraid of his Song Weaving ability and it may even be the key to avoiding the wrath of the fearsome Leviathans. Ages 7 and up.
Winter Books about Animals
The Very, Very Far North
by Dan Bar-El, illustrated by Kelly Pousette
This is my new favorite read aloud, and I don't say that lightly! Duane the polar bear has a curiosity and sense of adventure that leads him first to a shipwreck where he meets C.C. the Owl. He then encounters even more new friends like Handsome the musk ox, Magic the arctic fox, and Major Puffin. Together, they explore the wonders of the northern landscape. The cast of animals is as diverse in their personalities as they are in species and the thread of the story focuses on learning to appreciate one's friends. An absolute must-read book, and an excellent choice for kids of all ages.
MORE: Family read alouds to give yourself this year
The Adventures of a South Pole Pig
by Chris Kurtz
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. Ages 4 and up.
Mr. Popper's Penguins
by Florence & Richard Atwater
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. Ages 4 and up.
The Journey of the Pale Bear
by Susan Fletcher
Not set in winter, but nonetheless, this is a great choice for cold-weather reading. Arthur, a boy living in Norway, runs away from his abusive stepfather and stepbrothers. He has a letter from his Welsh cousins, which he assumes is asking him to return to Wales and claim his birthright. Unfortunately, he can't actually read the letter. In the port town of Bergen he encounters a caged polar bear and two ruffians shove him in the cage. When Arthur soothes the bear, he is enlisted to accompany the bear on a ship to England, for the bear is a gift from King Haakon to King Henry. Hair-raising, heart-searching and page-turning adventure follows. The story was inspired by a 13th century "pale bear" who lived in the Tower of London menagerie, a gift from Norway. Ages 9 and up.
Pugs of the Frozen North
by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
Here's a great choice for families and kids who enjoy a healthy dose of quirky humor. A shipping accident leaves a gaggle of pugs stranded in the snowy, frozen north. They are saved and adopted by a pair of kids, Sika and Shen. Sika and Shen harness the pugs in attempt to win the Great Northern Race, which ends at the home of a mythical man called Snowfather. There are many shenanigans along the race, including a bizarre encounter with noodle loving creatures! Ages 5 and up.
Realistic Fiction
Dog Driven
by Terry Lynn Johnson
14-year-old McKenna is running an 8 dog team sled race. Trouble is, she is battling an eye disease that has also affected her younger sister. McKenna hasn’t told anyone about her worsening eye condition despite the dangers of the race. This is a very suspenseful winter-y novel, perfect for kids who like survival stories! Ages 10 and up.
Running on the Roof of the World
by Jess Butterworth
How many books set in Chinese-controlled Tibet have your kids read? Well, here's the opportunity to change all that! and Tash and her family live their lives, hiding their Buddhist faith from the Chinese soldiers that occupy her village in Tibet. But one day, the startling actions of a man disrupts the peace and Tash's parents are taken away. Tash, disguised as a boy and her friend, Sam, along with two goats, flee the village, making a harrowing journey across snow covered mountains. Intertwined with this page-turning adventure are questions about freedom, courage and the teachings of the Dali Lama. Terrific. Ages 10 and up.
MORE: Books for fans of Mulan
Twelve Kinds of Ice
by Ellen Bryan Obed
Technically, this isn't solely about ice skating, but it will sure make you strap on the ol' skates after reading it. Twenty very short chapters and utterly winsome, old-fashioned drawings from Barbara McClintock make this book a real treasure. Those of you who grew up in cold climates will start to get nostalgic for the perfect skating ice, first ice, stream ice, and so on. So delightful. Really. Ages 4 and up.
Skating Shoes
by Noel Streatfeild
For good old fashioned fun you can't go wrong with one of the "Shoes" books. In Skating Shoes, a doctor deems skating lessons 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. Ages 7 and up.
Sugar and Ice
by Kate Messner
Find it: Amazon
In Sugar and Ice, seventh grader Clare's talent for skating is spotted at a local show and she quickly becomes enmeshed in the world of skating, with its pressures and rivalries. A fun story of a girl who discovers her strengths and navigates relationships while pursuing her dreams. Ages 9 and up.
Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America
by Jim Murphy
Why not throw in a nonfiction book for good measure? This fact-filled book tells the nail-biting story of the 1888 blizzard that hit Northwestern America. The focus is primarily on New York City–after all it takes a mammoth storm to bring that city to a standstill–but the far reaching consequences are thoroughly covered. Ages 6 and up.
Lucy Mitchell says
Very 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
I 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
I 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
Thanks 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
Those 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
"The Winter Room" definitely belongs on this list, and once you finish it, you'll know why.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Jeanette Nyberg says
I'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
Your kids will be begging you to keep reading Mr. Popper, especially if you do funny voices.
writersideup says
Erica, 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
Me, too.
Sarah says
If 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
I know that most kids love them, as did I when I was younger. I'll have to try again.
Melissa@Julia's Bookbag says
LOVE. 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
You will love it, Julia.
Amy @ Sunlit Pages says
I 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
Can I add an novel in verse? May B by Caroline Starr Rose.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the tip! I haven't read that one, yet.
Suzanne Holt says
Thanks for telling about seasonal chapter books - harder to find this kind of list. Pinned.
E.S. Ivy says
My 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
I'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
I 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
Hi 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
I 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
I'm delighted to hear this, Christy! Happy reading!
Ramona says
I 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
Yes, love that book! It's on a few other lists. 🙂
Katie says
I’m reading The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser to my kids right now and they all love it. It’s supposed to be for my 7 and 9 year olds but the 12 and 13 year olds always find a reason to be in the room with us while I’m reading. It takes place in the days before Christmas and it’s just what we needed.
Erica says
That is a wonderful book!