[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
- [For 3-year-olds] Recommended Picture Books to Read in March
- [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 (31–40)
Chiikuma-chan and Shimakuma-chan
The picture book Chiikuma-chan and Shimakuma-chan, filled with the wintry atmosphere of its snowy illustrations, is perfect for the cold season.
The best friends—Chiikuma-chan, a little polar bear, and Shimakuma-chan, a striped stuffed bear—are always together.
They ride a red sled to play in the snow, climb snowy hills, and build snowmen.
A warm drink enjoyed out in the cold might taste especially delicious.
Chiikuma-chan and Shimakuma-chan is a heartwarming read that will leave you feeling cozy and happy—please enjoy it together with your child.
The tiny, tiny land of ice
The picture book “The Tiny, Tiny Land of Ice,” with illustrations that make you feel gentle just by looking at them, is set in a frozen land.
One day, out-of-season snow fell on the hat-shaped house where Poko Poko lives.
Why did it snow even though the day was warm? What exactly is the silver ice cloud? With every page you turn, your excitement grows at the charming little items and cozy homes.
Wrapped in colorful, tender illustrations, it’s a delightful story.
To-kun Truck: Vroom-Vroom on a Snowy Day
This is a charming picture book about a little boy named Tokkun playing in the snow with his toy truck.
He heads into the forest, loads snow onto the truck, and pulls it along…
but the truck won’t move very well.
Then the forest animals come to help.
They push the truck, shovel snow to clear a path, and work together with Tokkun to build a road.
There are many ways to play in the snow—like making snowmen or having snowball fights—but this kind of free play is a lot of fun too.
Reading this book warms the heart and sparks interest in snowy adventures.
Nemu in winter hibernation
Nem, a hardworking boy, has come to live on his own at Ippo House.
The season of harsh winter hibernation is just around the corner.
Besides Nem, there are other residents at Ippo House: Pao, who lives in a room filled with books; Mio, who loves painting and singing; and Hiira, who is the same age as Nem.
The four of them interact as they prepare for winter.
This heartwarming book tenderly watches over Nem, leaving you with a cozy feeling.
Someday, children too will strike out on their own like this and broaden their worlds, won’t they? A work that gently spreads through the hearts of adults as well—tinged with a little loneliness and a little joy.
Ride on my sled!
The picture book Full of Kindness and Compassion, “Ride on My Sled!”, is a gentle story that will warm your heart with the interactions between Little Bear, Little Squirrel, Little Fox, and Little Rabbit.
Delighted by the falling snow, they all brainstorm ideas for what to play.
They promise to go sledding, but Little Squirrel doesn’t have a sled.
Little Bear feels embarrassed about the old sled he owns.
This picture book overflows with thoughtfulness and kindness, and after reading it, you might just feel like being kind to someone yourself.
[February] Picture books for 3-year-olds themed around Setsubun and winter (41–50)
Bean scattering, parra-para
While Christmas and New Year’s are also winter events, isn’t Setsubun the one that makes children’s hearts pound in many different ways? This picture book centers on the bean-throwing custom.
As you toss beans, you drive away the ogres with the familiar chant, “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi”—“Demons out, good fortune in.” Children might feel a little scared, wondering if real ogres will come, but it’s reassuring to know from this book exactly how to send them away.
As a seasonal picture book, why not include it in your winter read-alouds?
Mole-kun and Winter
The picture book Mole and Winter features an inquisitive little mole.
Thinking it was snowing, Mole took out his sled—but it turned out not to be snow at all, but frost.
So Mole asks the clouds to let it snow.
Can they really do that? If you give them some water to drink, they grant his wish and make it snow.
It’s a dream-filled tale that’s sure to delight children.
With its clear, simple story, even very young kids can enjoy it.