[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 (41–50)
snow play
On a cold winter morning, when children look out the window and see the snow has piled up, they get excited, don’t they? This picture book lets parents rediscover that sense of excitement and enjoy it together with their children.
The story begins when Little Pig looks out the window in the morning and sees that snow has fallen.
On snowy days, it’s thrilling to think about what kinds of games to play outside.
Snowball fights, sledding, building snowmen—many activities come to mind, but what did Little Pig choose to do? It might be nice to ask children what games they’d like to play when it snows.
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.
The Land of Snowmen
The picture book on the next page, Snowman Country, begins with Hop making a snowman.
Hop names the snowman “Pepe.” Pepe has to return to the country of snowmen.
Because Hop loves Pepe, he asks to go to the snowman country together.
It’s a very heartwarming story.
It’s also recommended to enjoy the story while talking with children about what the snowman country might be like.
Usako-chan on a Snowy Day
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.
Yuki fufufu
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.
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.
Tom and Pippo go out for a walk
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.