Winter picture books 1-year-olds will love! A heartwarming collection of read-aloud ideas
On cold winter days, picture-book time is perfect for cozy moments with a 1-year-old.
Especially at this age, picture books play an important role in expanding their world of words.
With winter-themed books, the scenes outside the window overlap with the world in the book, drawing little ones even deeper into the story.
Here, we’ll introduce winter picture books that speak to a 1-year-old’s heart, featuring snow, winter animals, and warm ways to spend the season.
Use this as a guide to enjoy a wonderful winter time with your 1-year-old!
- Winter picture books that captivate infants: A collection of heartwarming read-aloud ideas
- Books to Enjoy Winter With: Picture Book Ideas to Read with Your Two-Year-Old
- [February] Picture books for 1-year-olds: books that evoke winter and Setsubun
- [For 1-year-olds] Recommended picture books to read together in January
- Picture books to read in winter! Story ideas that will captivate 3-year-olds
- [For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter
- Picture Books to Read with 4-Year-Olds in Winter: Heartwarming Recommended Stories
- Picture books about autumn that captivate one-year-olds! Recommended reads to make fall more fun
- Picture Books to Read with 5-Year-Olds: Recommended Titles to Make Winter More Fun
- [For 2-year-olds] Recommended picture books to enjoy reading in January
- Recommended Picture Books to Read in January for 0-Year-Olds
- [For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended for January! A Collection of Exciting and Heartwarming Picture Books
- [For 1-year-olds] Picture Books to Enjoy in Spring | Wildflowers and Creatures
Winter picture books that delight 1-year-olds! A collection of heartwarming read-aloud ideas (1–10)
Snow (A Song Picture Book)
This is a picture book based on the lyrics of the Ministry of Education song “Yuki” (Snow).
In step with the lyrics, a little girl’s eyes sparkle at the sight of snow, and she slides down a snow-covered slide.
She’s experiencing winter with the free-spirited joy of childhood.
So captivated by the snow, she remembers her hat and scarf but forgets her gloves.
A dog later brings them to her—an adorable scene that shows just how absorbed she is in the snow.
It’s a picture book that conveys the charm of snow and the fun of playing in it, so be sure to sing along as you read it with your child.
snowball
The picture book Snowball, featuring the adorable Tottoru rolling snow, is utterly charming.
One morning, Tottoru notices that snow has fallen and makes a small snowball.
Then he starts rolling it over the snow, and the snowball grows bigger and bigger.
Before he knows it, he’s reached the top of a hill—and the snowball tumbles down.
What will happen to the snowball? The exciting turn of events will surely make children’s hearts race.
It’s a perfect read-aloud for winter that conveys the joy of playing in the snow.
Snowy path stroll
Yukimichi Sanpo is a story about a girl taking a walk through a snowy landscape.
She looks outside to find a world of silver—who wouldn’t want to go out? Bundled up warmly, she crunches along the snow-covered path.
Along the way, she discovers camellia blossoms dusted with snow and icicles lined up along the eaves.
As you gaze at the beautiful watercolor illustrations, it feels as if a real winter scene is unfolding right before your eyes.
Children are sure to look on with sparkling eyes and enjoy it, too.
I’d be delighted if this picture book helps you find yet another way to enjoy winter.
Winter Picture Books Toddlers Will Love! A Collection of Heartwarming Read-Aloud Ideas (11–20)
Let’s warm up.
A warm bath in winter feels so comforting, doesn’t it? In this picture book, a little rabbit finds a hot spring and tries to get in.
But it turns out to be the monkeys’ hot spring, or the bears’ hot spring, so they won’t let the rabbit in.
Will the rabbit be able to warm up in a hot spring? Winter baths are cozy once you’re in, but getting in can be tough.
Still, after reading this picture book, kids might feel like they’re enjoying a hot spring themselves.
White, white Korowan.
This is a recommended winter read starring Korowan, a little puppy.
While Korowan is playing in front of his house, something like white fluff starts to fall from the sky.
When it touches his nose, it’s cold and melts right away.
When he asks his mother, she tells him, “That’s snow.” The snow keeps falling through the night, and by the next morning everything is pure white! Overjoyed, Korowan romps around in the snow.
Seeing Korowan play so happily will surely make children want to join in some snow play too.
The mountain bathhouse
The picture book “Yama no Ofuroyasan” is set in a mountain bathhouse.
All sorts of animals come to the bath in the mountains—monkeys, wild boars, and… huh? Even a snowman shows up! You can’t help but worry: won’t it melt if it gets in the hot water? So, what will happen to the snowman? The surprising secret of the bath at the end is delightful, and you’ll finish the story with a smile.
It’s a perfect book to read aloud before a cozy winter bath.
Bam and Kero’s Cold Morning
On a cold morning, Bam and Kero head to the pond to go skating.
There, they find a duck trapped in the frozen ice.
They hurry to rescue it and gently thaw it out in a warm bath.
After that, they take a bath together with the now-energetic duck and help dry its feathers.
While they’re taking care of it, Kero keeps bringing things he wants them to look at—so cute! And those knickknacks and toys are so appealing! Kids will be glued to the pages and will want the same things.
The story is a bit long, but it’s a book you can enjoy just by looking at the pictures.