[February] Recommended picture books for 2-year-olds: Books that evoke winter and Setsubun
Two-year-olds, who are starting to learn conversation and speak words through play and daily life, can make all sorts of discoveries by reading picture books.
Some of you may be looking for perfect read-aloud books for children with a February theme, when winter’s chill is at its peak.
In this article, we’ve put together recommended picture books for two-year-olds for the month of February.
We’ll introduce a wide range—from unique picture books that kids can enjoy by imitating characters’ facial expressions to stories that warm the heart.
Be sure to try these works that let you feel the winter season indoors together with your children.
- [February] Picture books for 1-year-olds: books that evoke winter and Setsubun
- [February] Picture books for 3-year-olds with themes of Setsubun and winter
- [For 2-year-olds] Let's read together! Recommended picture books for March
- [For 2-year-olds] Recommended picture books to enjoy reading in January
- [Picture Books] Savor the fun of words: A special feature on recommended onomatopoeia picture books
- [For 2-year-olds] Enjoy spring-recommended picture books with your children
- [Childcare] Fun February craft ideas you’ll want to make with 2-year-olds!
- Ideas for Easy Winter Origami Crafts That Even 2-Year-Olds Will Love
- [February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let children feel winter at preschool
- [For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended for January! A Collection of Exciting and Heartwarming Picture Books
- [For 3-year-olds] Recommended Picture Books to Read in March
- [For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter
- [For preschoolers] A collection of origami ideas to enjoy February, including Setsubun and Valentine’s Day
[February] Recommended Picture Books for 2-Year-Olds: Books that Capture Winter and Setsubun (51–60)
Piyo piyo, Merry Christmas
This is a work by Noriko Kudo, known for the “Noraneko Gundan” series.
The protagonists of the story are five sibling chicks.
All of them can’t wait for Christmas and anxiously wonder, “Will Santa really come?” as they wait with bated breath.
Their mother hen prepares a feast, and they decorate the tree.
A wonderful family Christmas is depicted here.
It’s a perfect book to share the joy of the holiday with children who ask, “What is Christmas?”
Penelope plays in the snow
Penelope is a koala girl character who’s hugely popular with kids.
In this picture book, you can enjoy watching Penelope play in the snow in all sorts of ways.
Building snowmen, having snowball fights, sledding—there are lots of fun activities children will want to imitate! What’s more, it’s a lift-the-flap/interactive book, so you can move the mechanisms and play along with Penelope.
It’s a highly recommended book that lets you experience a variety of winter fun all in one volume.
When it’s hard to get real snowfall, why not enjoy some snow play with this book?
Cozy soup
When it comes to picture books perfect for the deepening winter chill, “Poka-Poka Soup” is the one to pick.
One day, Takkun catches a cold and is lying in bed when he hears a voice coming from deep inside the futon.
As he ventures further in, he finds a chef making warm soup just for him.
After drinking the soup, his whole body feels toasty warm.
The soup his mother made tastes just the same as the chef’s.
It’s a story set deep within the futon that will make you feel warm inside, too.
After you finish reading, you might just feel like peeking under your own covers.
Choo-choo Train: A Snowy Stroll
This is a story about animals riding a locomotive and taking a stroll through the snow.
A daruma doll sits in the driver’s seat, and beyond the snowy scenery, many other wintry touches are sprinkled throughout.
The locomotive is a huge hit, running along the tracks packed to the brim… when suddenly a big snowball drops down and it makes an emergency stop! Just what is that snowball…? Blending in classic winter pastimes, this is a book that lets you joyfully wander through a snowy landscape.
After reading, some children might even go looking for snow themselves.
I hope this picture book helps you feel the special delights that only a cold winter can bring.
Merry Christmas, Penelope!
This is a book that depicts Penelope’s fun Christmas.
It’s a lift-the-flap/popup-style picture book with lots of interactive features kids will love—lights that turn on, Penelope tumbling down, and more.
The story shows decorating the tree and having a party with relatives, making it feel familiar and enjoyable for children.
It’ll likely make them even more excited, thinking, “I want a Christmas like this!” The mechanisms aren’t complicated, so toddlers should be able to move them by themselves and have fun.