Enjoy this curated booklist of the best January picture books for children! You’ll love these literary treasures of words and illustrations.
Winter is here in full swing, and what better way to snuggle up with your littles than with a good picture book? This January book list offers a delightful array of picture books perfect for short chilly days and cozy nights. I’ve read each of these books personally and only chose our very favorites – there’s 1 book for each weekday of January! I hope that you and the children in your life enjoy these as much as we do! From heartwarming tales to whimsical adventures, here are some picture books that will captivate the imagination and warm the heart as we begin this new year.
Are you ready to enter the enchanting world of illustrations and storytelling that these books offer? Let’s get started!
20 Best January Picture Books for Children:
Click below for a free printable booklist to take with you to the library!
1: Winter Story by Jill Barklem
Join the mice of Brambly Hedge as they prepare for and attend a Snow Ball in this whimsical winter story. Old and young will be delighted by this adorable tale and detailed vintage illustrations.
2: Winter Days in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
This sweet tale of the Ingalls family lives during the winter will transport you to days gone by and will leave you feeling warm and cozy. The illustrations will invite you in and you may just wish for a warm little log cabin of your own!
3: Sugar Snow by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Winter is on it’s way out in the Big Woods of Wisconsin! A late season snowfall helps the trees produce sap for sweet maple syrup, and maple syrup means sweet maple sugar cakes for Laura and her sisters. Beautiful soft illustrations will draw you into this educational story of pioneer days of old.
4: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Late on winter night a little girl goes owling with her father. Its freezing and dark and they must keep as quiet as possible if they want to spot a glorious owl. Sometimes there isn’t an owl, but sometimes there is – will they spot an owl on their snowy adventure? Beautiful full page illustrations bring this story to life.
5: Brave Irene by William Steig
Irene’s mother isn’t feeling well so she can’t deliver the beautiful ball gown that she made for the duchess to wear that evening. Despite the snowfall, Irene bravely offers to make the delivery for her. But it turns out to be a blizzard with wicked winds threatening to knock her down and whisk away her precious package. Will she make it to her destination on time? Colorful illustrations throughout to help you feel Irene’s struggle and emotions.
6: Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Katy the snowplow was always waiting for her big chance to help. When a blizzard covers the city, everyone is relying on Katy to dig them out and get things functioning again. An adorable story of endurance and gratitude brought to life through colorful, vintage style illustrations.
7: Snow Horses by Patricia MacLachlan
On the very last evening before the new year, two horses pull their sleigh to bring their town together as the celebrate the new year ahead. A sweet tale of brotherhood and good-will. This story is filled with stunning snowy illustrations that are a delight with each turn of the page.
8: Winter Is Here by Kevin Henkes
The wind is howling. The ice is dripping. The dog is bounding across the snow. Why is this all happening? It’s winter – winter is here! This adorable book describes the sights and sounds of winter through words and illustrations. Wonderful for young listeners.
9: Winter Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow
Slide, slip, and stomp throught snow with Grammy and her grandkids as they go on a winter adventure! Explore the woods, spot wild animals, and learn why some trees are green all year long. The delightful and detailed illustrations will keep even the youngest listeners interested.
10: The Mitten by Jan Brett
In this Ukrainian folktale, a boy named Nikki loses his snow-white mitten. He can’t find it in the snow…. but the woodland animals do and they know just how to put it to good use. Will Nikki find his missing mitten that his Baba made just for him? This rollicking tale is sure to bring some giggles with the turn of each colorful and detailed illustrated page.
11: Snow by Cynthia Rylant
A snowy day has so much to offer – cozy boots and mittens, beautiful walks outside, and quiet playtime inside. Enjoy this captivating snow day and the beauty of all kinds of snowy activities. The warm and colorful illustrations will invite you into this snowy tale.
12: Once Upon a Northern Night by Jean Pendziwol
In this exquisite lullaby, the beauty and wonder of a northern winter night unfolds. At first the snow falls softly and night-time creatures appear, then stars light up the sky, followed by shimmering northern lights all framed by the etchings of frost on the windowpane. The simple illustrations are calming to look at – a perfect winter bedtime read aloud.
13: The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett
It’s time for Hedgie to head to his burrow to hibernate for the winter. But on his way his friends describe all the things he missed during his snowy nap last year – it all sounds too wonderful to miss again! So Hedgie is determined to stay up long enough to see the wonders of winter. A delightful tale that is brought to life with vivid full page illustrations.
14: A New Coat for Anna by Herriet Ziefert
Winter had come and Anna needed a new coat. The fuzzy blue coat she had worn for so many winters was no longer fuzzy and it was much too small. In the afgermath of WWII in Europe, Anna’s mother decides she will trade the few valuables she has left for a coat for her daughter. The colorful illustrations will bring you along as Anna’s coat gets closer and closer to becoming a reality. A wonderful story of family love, sacrifice, and gratitude.
15: Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett
When Annie’s cat disappears one winter morning, the lonely little girl tries to befriend the woodland animals behind her home. But instead of finding companionship the woodland creatures show up to eat her corn cakes until they are all gone. Then they leave, and to Annie’s surprise, out of the woods comes Taffy—with a surprise of her own! Vivid illustrations brings this lively tale to life.
16: Trapped By the Ice! by Michael McCuroy
This adventure book describes the events of the 1914 Shackleton Antarctic expedition. After being trapped in a frozen sea for nine months, their expedition ship was finally crushed and Shackleton and his men made the very long and perilous journey across ice and stormy seas to reach inhabited land. (Note: there is mention of starvation and death in this icy tale.)
17: The Emperor's Egg by Martin Jenkins
Come meet the world’s most devoted animal dad – the emperor penguin! Readers will learn all about what it takes to hatch and care for his penguin chick in the freezing Antarctic. This educational story is sure to teach little ears something new and they will love the colorful full-page illustrations on every page.
18: Emily by Michael Bedard
A young girl who lives across the street from the mysterious and reclusive Emily gets a chance to meet the poet when her mother goes to play the piano for her. There, the girl sneaks a gift up to Emily, who listens from the landing, and in return, Emily gives the girl a precious gift of her own—the gift of poetry. Beautiful illustrations by the famous Barbara Cooney draw you into this touching tale.
19: Cold Snap by Eileen Spinelli
It’s snowy cold in the town of Toby Mills and the thermometer is quickly sinking toward zero. The icicle hanging from the nose of General Toby’s statue is growing closer and closer to the ground. The newspaper headline reads: COLD SNAP! How will they deal with the cold and keep warm? Follow along with this icy tale and it’s fun colorful illustrations to find out.
20: Snowflakes Fall by Patricia MacLachlan
This heartfelt story portrays life’s natural cycle of beauty, joy, and sorrow. The simple but powerful words gently convey the impact of loss and the healing of memories and is a tribute to the qualities that make each individual unique and special…. just like snowflakes. Beautiful snowy illustrations drive the point of this story home.
