[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 (11–20)
Surprise kotatsuHiroyuki Arai
Hiroyuki Arai’s “Bikkuri Kotatsu” is a perfect picture book for two-year-olds.
The surprises that pop out from under the kotatsu spark children’s curiosity.
The characters, drawn with a soft touch and gentle colors, wear adorable expressions that make kids want to imitate them.
This picture book, featuring the kotatsu that warms up a chilly winter room, is recommended for read-alouds at preschools or at home to convey the coziness of winter and the fun of Setsubun.
It’s a work that showcases Arai’s creativity—why not share the joys of the season together?
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.
Pikopiko the Rabbit
A rabbit parent and child find a basket in the forest.
When they open it, they discover a stuffed rabbit named Pikopiko inside.
The rabbits look puzzled at its appearance, which is a little different from their own.
Pikopiko keeps being fussy—refusing tiny strawberries and insisting it can’t sleep without a fluffy blanket and a music box.
But freshly picked strawberries are delicious, and a blanket of leaves is warm…
In the end, they spend time together like a real family.
It might remind you a little of a child going through the “no” phase.
Everyone from the osechi, gather around!
When it comes to New Year’s feasts, yes—“osechi” is the classic.
In this picture book, the staple osechi dishes are illustrated in a cute style.
Since every dish has a little face, children can enjoy seeing each food as a character.
Mr.
Kamaboko, Shrimp-chan, Mr.
Black Beans, and Kobumaki-kun all jump into the tiered jubako box one after another, and the osechi is complete.
While enjoying the colorful osechi, it would be nice if children could also learn the meanings behind each item.
Rice-Cake Bath
Set in the cozy hot spring “Poka Poka no Yu,” Omachi’s Bath weaves a uniquely charming tale.
The protagonists are Mo-chan and Chi-chan, a pair of rice cakes.
They want to take a nice, slow bath, but the soy-sauce footbath is packed with sushi folks, and the kinako bath is full of dango dumplings.
Is there a bath where the two can relax? With enticing options like a hot-pot bath and a toaster sauna, delightful tubs keep appearing, making it impossible to stop turning the pages.
A fun picture book that’s perfect for winter.
The Mochi’s Feelings
It seems mochi have worries that only mochi can understand.
The star of this picture book is a splendid kagami mochi.
But its expression is anything but cheerful… Apparently, it’s on edge, wondering when it’s going to be eaten.
Being eaten means being torn and kneaded—enough to make any mochi dread the whole ordeal.
Some children might even think, “Poor Mr.
Mochi,” but don’t worry.
The kagami mochi escapes on its own two feet, and a surprising turn of events awaits! It’s a delightful winter tale about mochi.
Be sure to give it a read.
[February] Recommended Picture Books for 2-Year-Olds: Stories that Capture Winter and Setsubun (21–30)
Mochi pounding
Like the children in this picture book, there may be many kids who think mochi is something you just buy at a store.
That’s exactly why we want them to experience mochi pounding for themselves.
In this book, the process is carefully shown—from preparing the tools, the usu (mortar) and kine (pestle), to putting in the glutinous rice—until the mochi is ready.
The children’s expressions, depicted with a distinctive touch, are so lively that just looking at them makes you feel happy too.
Please enjoy the fun winter event of mochi pounding through this picture book.