[February] Picture books for 1-year-olds: books that evoke winter and Setsubun

Last updated:2025/11/7

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Started performing in bands in junior high school. Influenced by Japanese rock and UK rock, spent over 10 years continuing band activities while creating original songs. Later began producing Vocaloid tracks using Hatsune Miku, with total plays of released songs surpassing 10,000. Has five years of experience writing for music magazines. Currently works as a music writer, director, and composer, keeping a ground-level perspective on the scene by attending live shows across Japan. Now performs at live houses in Tokyo, showcasing guitar playing centered on acoustic guitar and informed by knowledge of chord analysis and guitar scales. Also writes leveraging a broad knowledge of music genres.

When children are around one year old, they grow almost daily—showing interest in what’s right in front of them and displaying richer facial expressions.

If you’re wondering what picture books to read aloud to your child, you’re not alone.

In this article, we’ve gathered picture books for one-year-olds with a February theme.

We’ll mainly introduce works that let you feel the winter season, featuring themes like winter itself and Setsubun ogres (oni).

Be sure to check out these books that inspire children’s free ideas—pointing at the characters that appear, trying to imitate them, and more.

[February] Picture books for 1-year-olds. Books that evoke winter and Setsubun (1–10)

oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)Hiroshi Kagakui

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Here is a picture book by Hiroshi Kagakui, famous for titles like “Daruma-san ga,” among others.

Kagakui always develops his stories from a uniquely different perspective, and this time the protagonists are red and white manju (sweet buns).

The plot takes a surreal turn as the two of them engage in oshikura manju—jostling and shoving—against various things.

It’s a development you can kind of imagine, and kids are sure to love it.

The expressions while pushing and being pushed are funny too, as if speaking to children on a sensory level.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Puff puff—boo!Written by Hiroyuki Aihara / Illustrated by Mami Suzuki

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A peekaboo picture book with a Setsubun theme, “Appuppu no Pu.” In this work, the text is by Hiroyuki Aihara and the illustrations are by Mami Suzuki.

Turn the page and an oni (ogre) appears, inviting you to play a staring game.

Then, with the chant “Appuppu no pu,” it pulls a funny face.

Each oni’s distinctive look and personality help liven up the game.

Incidentally, the book is also known for receiving a strong endorsement from scientist Yuji Ikegaya.

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yamamoto

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Yuki fufufuWritten by Naoko Higashi / Illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi

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Here is the snow-themed volume from the “Outing Through the Seasons” picture book series, written by Naoko Azuma with illustrations by Tatsuro Kiuchi.

Azuma won the 7th Kadansho (Poetry Magazine) Prize, and Kiuchi was selected for the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition—both are highly accomplished, and their picture book offers plenty for adults to appreciate and enjoy as well.

I believe exposing children to high-quality works from a young age enriches their lives, so please do read this to them.

It could also make a great gift.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Goron Go SnowmanShigeru Tamura

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Here is a picture book born from a delightful idea: what if a snowman formed all by itself and then started moving on its own? A snowman with a will of its own is irresistibly charming and fascinating, isn’t it? The snowman, who wants to play with a dog, even sprouts legs with a pop, which is sure to thrill children.

Also, the abundance of onomatopoeic words is pleasing to the ear and makes it especially fun to read aloud.

The illustrations, too, are crafted like appliqué, which is really interesting.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Same, same, Momon-chanKazuhiko Toyoda

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A series that’s very popular with little children, Momon-chan.

This book is the 20th in the series.

On a snowy day, Momon-chan makes a snowman.

It seems Momon-chan plans to make this snowman into a friend who looks just like herself.

The way everyone rolls the snow to build the snowman is very humorous.

At the end, she puts on a hat, gloves, and boots just like her own.

After reading this book, many children will probably want to make a snowman themselves.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Usako-chan on a Snowy DayDick Bruna

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This book, one of Dick Bruna’s hugely popular series, depicts Miffy’s life on a snowy day.

When a little bird appears before Miffy—crying from the cold with no home—Miffy builds it a house.

The story teaches children, in an accessible way, that snow is not only fun but has another side as well.

It also conveys compassion for those who are vulnerable.

The way Miffy’s parents treat her is something we can all learn from.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Snowy path strollMICHIKO EGASHIRA

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Here is one of Michiko Egashira’s picture-book series depicting walks in various seasons.

A little girl goes out for a stroll in her favorite outfit amid a vast snowy landscape.

Snowy days are full of discoveries, making for a very enjoyable walk.

The book features many onomatopoeic and mimetic expressions that are pleasing to the ear.

The gentle, beautiful watercolor illustrations also warm the heart.

It may be one of those picture books overflowing with kindness that lingers in your memory.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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