[February] A collection of picture books we want to read with the 0-year-old class
February brings a stretch of wintry weather.
If you’re spending time with children, it’s nice to enjoy some warm, cozy moments indoors.
That’s where picture books come in.
Of course they’re fun to look at, but savoring the sound of the words and enjoying the rhythms and repetitions is one of the great pleasures of picture books, too.
Here are some picture books that are perfect for February.
With snowy scenes and heartwarming moments, they’re sure to soothe the adults reading them as well.
Let’s shower children with rich language and help them grow up healthy and strong.
- [February] Recommended picture books for 2-year-olds: Books that evoke winter and Setsubun
- Recommended Picture Books to Read in January for 0-Year-Olds
- [February] Picture books for 1-year-olds: books that evoke winter and Setsubun
- [March] Picture books that 0-year-olds will find interesting and enjoy
- [For 0-Year-Olds] Picture Books to Read in Spring | Enjoy Picture Books with Your Children
- [February] Picture books for 3-year-olds with themes of Setsubun and winter
- [Picture Books] Savor the fun of words: A special feature on recommended onomatopoeia picture books
- Ideas for Childcare Quizzes to Enjoy in January
- Winter picture books that captivate infants: A collection of heartwarming read-aloud ideas
- [February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let children feel winter at preschool
- Books to Enjoy Winter With: Picture Book Ideas to Read with Your Two-Year-Old
- Picture Books to Read in February [For 5-Year-Olds]
- [For 2-year-olds] Recommended picture books to enjoy reading in January
February: A collection of picture books I want to read with the 0-year-old class (1–10)
Bean Counting SongMinami Nishiuchi
On Setsubun, we scatter beans and eat as many beans as our age.
This picture book uses those “beans” as its theme.
Starting with beans in the soil, the story unfolds to the rhythm of a counting song from 1 to 10.
It’s said that children begin to take interest in numbers around age three, but the various expressions of the beans woven into the story are so engaging that even infants will be captivated.
Since the content ties in with Setsubun, why not choose it as one of your read-aloud books for February?
The Forest BathToshio Nishimura
The picture book “Mori no Ofuro” (The Forest Bath), which has a bath-time theme, is perfect for read-aloud sessions in chilly February! Various animals come to a big bath in the forest and start washing themselves.
More and more animals join in, and in the end they all wash each other.
After they finish washing, they jump into the bath to warm up.
Just watching them take turns washing and then go splash! into the bath is so much fun.
You can even learn how to wash your body while looking at the pictures.
Be sure to enjoy it with children as you all imitate the actions together!
Whose footprints?accototo
Snow falls in winter… When they walk on it, will children notice the footprints left behind? This picture book lets you enjoy the tracks of animals.
It features many animals children already know, like rabbits and bears! You can see what each animal’s footprints look like and have fun guessing which animal made which tracks.
After reading this book, some children might find a new joy in outdoor play—spotting marks on the ground and wondering, Whose footprints are these?
[February] Picture books I want to read with the 0-year-old class (11–20)
Kuupii and Kirakira-chan
The story’s main character is Kuupee the little bear.
Kuupee meets Sparkle-chan, who has been separated from her friends, and decides to help her find them.
It’s a heartwarming tale perfect for winter read-alouds, and the white parts of the illustrations—like snow and snowmen—are fluffy to the touch, so you can enjoy the tactile feel as you read.
There are also glitter details and other fun features that kids will love.
As you search for Sparkle-chan’s friends with Kuupee, enjoy the textures and scenery of winter.
Gorongo snowman
When you think of winter, you think of snow…
and when you see snow, don’t you just want to make a snowman? In this picture book, a big snowball comes rolling along and then turns into a snowman.
He becomes friends with a dog, and they have fun racing around together.
It’s such a dreamy story, it warms your heart as you read.
The illustrations are also created with dyed fabric, with the stitches clearly visible.
The tactile, three-dimensional feel makes you want to reach out and touch it—and kids are sure to love it too.
The Great Adventure of Sorachi Village
This is a story about Hiro the dog, who has all sorts of encounters while chasing a butterfly.
He meets a customer at a coffee shop, a girl throwing a party, and some delicious-looking, ripened grapes… While enjoying each new meeting, Hiro’s true goal is still the butterfly.
He chases it with all his heart—but when he comes across the grapes, uh-oh…? It seems he forgets all about the butterfly.
With each page they turn, children will surely search for the butterfly alongside Hiro and feel a thrill of excitement wondering what will appear next.
Mole-kun and Winter
The picture book Mole and Winter features an inquisitive little mole.
Thinking it was snowing, Mole took out his sled—but it turned out not to be snow at all, but frost.
So Mole asks the clouds to let it snow.
Can they really do that? If you give them some water to drink, they grant his wish and make it snow.
It’s a dream-filled tale that’s sure to delight children.
With its clear, simple story, even very young kids can enjoy it.