Winter picture books that captivate infants: A collection of heartwarming read-aloud ideas

Last updated:2025/11/7

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

We want to make wintertime with your baby feel even warmer and more heartfelt.

Many people may choose winter-themed picture books with that in mind.

Here, we introduce winter picture books you can enjoy with babies around 0 years old.

We’ve gathered books full of seasonal charm—snow, winter animals, Christmas—featuring colors that capture a baby’s attention and warm, gentle stories.

Precisely because it’s a cold season, cherish the slow, cozy moments of reading picture books with your baby.

Winter picture books that captivate 0-year-olds! A collection of heartwarming read-aloud ideas (1–10)

Same, Same, Momon-chan

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a story about Momon-chan teaming up with Goldfish-san and Cactus-san to build a snowman.

The full two-page spreads vividly depict the scenes, conveying just how hard it is to make a big snowball.

You can’t help but want to cheer them on, saying, “Heave-ho, heave-ho!” Children will probably feel as if they’re making the snowman right alongside Momon-chan.

So, what kind of snowman did they end up making? It’s exciting to imagine! It’s a perfect book for winter read-alouds, capturing the joy of playing in the snow.

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Kuupii and Kirakira-chan

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

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Guruguru-chan and Fuwafuwa-chan

http://www.amazon.co.jp

When we woke up in the morning, everything was a world of silver! Little Squirrel Guruguru was overjoyed.

But seeing that white, cold stuff for the first time, she wondered, “What is it?” Then Fluffy the Rabbit came along and told her, “It’s snow.” After that, the two of them rolled around and played in the snow, and before they knew it, they were covered head to toe in white.

This is a seasonal picture book where little ones can also enjoy peekaboo.

Seeing Guruguru and Fluffy having so much fun will surely make children look forward to playing in the snow too.

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Gorongo snowman

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

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The Great Adventure of Sorachi Village

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

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Surprise kotatsu

http://www.amazon.co.jp

A warm fixture that appears in winter and is so cozy you can’t bring yourself to get out…

the kotatsu.

Falling asleep under the kotatsu and catching a cold is a classic winter scenario, isn’t it? This picture book features the kotatsu as its theme.

It’s a lift-the-flap book: when you flip back the quilt, you’ll find all sorts of things—cats, thieves, ghosts, and more.

There are clues visible before you lift the flap, so you can enjoy a guessing game, too! A perfect book to brighten winter read-aloud time, full of excitement as you wonder what will appear next.

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