[For 2-year-olds] Recommended picture books to enjoy reading in January

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

By the time children are two, some begin to enjoy the humor of repeated words and feel a fondness for characters, discovering picture books in ways that differ from when they were zero or one.

With that in mind, here are some recommendations: picture books perfect for two-year-olds to enjoy in January.

Two-year-olds’ picture-book world expands quickly—they get excited just seeing the cover, and they start remembering simple words and imitating them.

In this article, we introduce a variety of picture-book worlds.

Let’s read the books that catch your child’s interest together and have fun!

[For 2-year-olds] Recommended Picture Books to Enjoy Reading in January (41–50)

Usako-chan on a Snowy Day

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Usako-chan is overjoyed to see snow for the first time.

Bundled up warmly, she has fun outside sledding and skating.

Then she finds a little bird crying.

It seems the bird is cold… So Usako-chan decides to make a home for it.

Will the little bird stop crying? This is a lovely picture book where, amid the fun of winter play and a few small mishaps, you can feel Usako-chan’s kindness.

It’s a story that even very young children can enjoy, so be sure to include it in your winter read-alouds.

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Yuki fufufu

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Let me introduce a picture book that lets you gently feel winter: “Yuki Fufufu.” The snow illustrations feel so real you could almost touch them, and the curious sound expressions that linger in your ears as you read make it a truly lovely book.

The children staring quietly up at the sky are especially striking, and it makes you wonder: what kind of faces would my own child make when they see snow? You can’t help but imagine it.

Each snowball has a little face, which is adorable, and kids will probably be delighted to spot them—“There’s one here, too!”—and eagerly point them out.

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Snowy path stroll

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

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Tom and Pippo go out for a walk

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a heartwarming picture book that depicts the simple moments of everyday life.

Tom and Pippo, Sal’s stuffed toy, are very close friends.

It’s full of stories that make you nod in recognition at ordinary scenes.

Tom imitates what his mother does for him and does the same for Pippo.

Perhaps Tom’s kindness is the kindness he received from his mother.

Within these short stories, the book is filled with love and warmth.

It’s easy for little ones to understand, so please enjoy reading it together as a parent and child.

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Penelope plays in the snow

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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?

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