[February] Picture books for 3-year-olds with themes of Setsubun and winter
February, when the cold truly sets in, is a season that brings a sense of winter, with snowfall piling up and the arrival of Setsubun.
Children attending daycare are surely looking forward to events themed around playing in the snow and Setsubun.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of picture books for three-year-olds perfect for February.
We’ve picked a wide range—from stories that capture the feel of winter to tales featuring oni (ogres) as the stars of Setsubun.
From timeless classics loved across generations to buzzworthy new titles, we’ve gathered a variety to help you choose read-alouds for February.
Be sure to check them out!
- [February] Recommended picture books for 2-year-olds: Books that evoke winter and Setsubun
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- [February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let children feel winter at preschool
- Picture Books to Read in February [For 5-Year-Olds]
- [For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended for January! A Collection of Exciting and Heartwarming Picture Books
- [For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended Picture Books for Spring | Exciting and Thrilling Reads
- [For 2-year-olds] Let's read together! Recommended picture books for March
- [For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter
- [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
- [Quiz] A Collection of Quizzes You Can Use in February Childcare
- [February] Picture books for 1-year-olds: books that evoke winter and Setsubun
- [For 2-year-olds] Enjoy spring-recommended picture books with your children
[February] Picture books for 3-year-olds themed around Setsubun and winter (21–30)
Teach me! Amu-amu-san
The picture book “Teach Me! Amu Amu-san” is set in a little knitting shop in the forest.
One day, a bear comes to the sheep Amu Amu-san’s store and hands over a sweater that has become too small.
Amu Amu-san swiftly unravels the yarn and begins to re-knit it.
What she finishes becomes gifts for the animals: ear warmers for the rabbit, a tail cozy for the fox… Our hearts dance at the warm items that will gently wrap everyone.
It’s a wonderful book that portrays cherishing belongings and caring for friends.
oden broth
Winter is cold, so it makes you crave something warm, doesn’t it? Speaking of warm foods—what comes to mind? For many people, it’s probably oden.
In this picture book, the pot is imagined as a bath, and one by one, the ingredients for oden hop in.
It even includes hide-and-seek phrases that kids love, making it fun to “cook” oden.
You can also enjoy a quiz—Who’s next?—so try recalling the ingredients and imagining them as you read.
A heartwarming book that will warm both body and soul with a finished pot of steaming hot oden.
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.
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.
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.
Go for it! Lululolo: Lots of Snowmen
The twin sisters Lulu and Lolo help shovel the snow that has piled up in the garden.
As they roll the snow, they also make a snowman.
What kind of snowman will Lulu and Lolo create? For adults, shoveling snow can be hard work, but with a little creativity, doing it together with children might lead to new discoveries and fun.
You can enjoy the anime currently airing on NHK Educational TV as an original picture book.
The interactions between Lulu and Lolo are very adorable, too.
It’s a perfect picture book for the cold winter season.
