[For 2-year-olds] Recommended picture books to enjoy reading in January
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 1-year-olds] Recommended picture books to read together in January
- [February] Recommended picture books for 2-year-olds: Books that evoke winter and Setsubun
- [For 2-year-olds] Enjoy spring-recommended picture books with your children
- [For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended for January! A Collection of Exciting and Heartwarming Picture Books
- [For 2-year-olds] Let's read together! Recommended picture books for March
- Recommended Picture Books to Read in January for 0-Year-Olds
- Picture Books to Read in February [For 5-Year-Olds]
- [For 0-Year-Olds] Picture Books to Read in Spring | Enjoy Picture Books with Your Children
- Books to Enjoy Winter With: Picture Book Ideas to Read with Your Two-Year-Old
- [For 5-year-olds] Picture books recommended for reading in January
- [February] Picture books for 1-year-olds: books that evoke winter and Setsubun
- A special feature of recommended picture books for Christmas that will captivate 2-year-olds!
- [For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter
[For 2-Year-Olds] Recommended Picture Books to Enjoy Reading in January (11–20)
Nezumi-kun and the Snowman
Let me introduce one of the “Nezumikun” (Little Mouse) series that you’ll want to read in winter: “Nezumikun and the Snowman.” Overjoyed by the falling snow, Nezumikun starts a snowball fight all by himself.
Suddenly, a huge snowball comes flying his way—what a surprise! It was thrown by his friends: Little Rabbit, Mr.
Lion, Little Bear, and Mr.
Elephant.
Realizing he can’t win the snowball fight, everyone switches gears and begins building a snowman together.
In this way, Nezumikun and his friends enjoy all sorts of fun snow play.
It’s an irresistibly charming book where they show off their creations and poses, saying, “Isn’t it great?!”
Yay yay snow!
The picture book “Waa-i Wai Yuki” is less about enjoying snow and more about feeling it.
It teaches many things about snow: how it falls and piles up quietly, how the world grows still when it snows, and how, though all snow may look the same, it actually comes in many different shapes.
Through this book, please try to experience snow from various angles.
Some children may see a silver-white world and be reminded of this book.
You can almost see their adorable figures as they listen closely, observe their surroundings, and take it all in.
Nontan, bubble bubble, pupu puu
The picture book “Nontan Awapuku Pupukupu,” tells the story of Nontan, who hates taking baths, and what happens until he finally gets in.
Nontan refuses, saying he doesn’t want a bath, but he still watches everyone closely, clearly curious.
Meanwhile, everyone gets all bubbly with foam, and a guessing game starts: “Who’s this ○○?” Seeing that, Nontan says, “I want to get all bubbly with foam too!” He gets in the bath, and they all end up squeaky clean together! In winter it’s cold and it can take a while to get kids into the bathroom, but if you read this book and entice them with bubbles, they just might hop in.
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.
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.
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.
[Age 2] Recommended Picture Books to Enjoy Reading in January (21–30)
Same, Same, Momon-chan
This is a story about Momon-chan teaming up with Goldfish-san and Cactus-san to build a snowman.
The full two-page spreads vividly depict the scenes, conveying just how hard it is to make a big snowball.
You can’t help but want to cheer them on, saying, “Heave-ho, heave-ho!” Children will probably feel as if they’re making the snowman right alongside Momon-chan.
So, what kind of snowman did they end up making? It’s exciting to imagine! It’s a perfect book for winter read-alouds, capturing the joy of playing in the snow.