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[For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended for January! A Collection of Exciting and Heartwarming Picture Books
After the New Year holidays, our lively three-year-olds are coming back to preschool.
Some children might feel a bit nervous returning to daycare or kindergarten after such a long break.
So today, we’d like to introduce some recommended picture books for January that three-year-olds can enjoy! You might find books about New Year’s traditions, bath time, hot pot, snow, and other familiar experiences that children may have had—now brought to life in picture-book form.
We’re sure their eyes will sparkle with excitement.
Enjoy reading them together while chatting with the children!
[For 3-year-olds] Recommended for January! A Heartwarming, Exciting Picture Book Collection (1–10)
The Fourteen Mice Making Mochi
Speaking of January, it’s all about mochitsuki (rice-cake pounding)! Here’s a picture book that helps three-year-olds feel close to mochitsuki.
It’s from the popular “14 Mice” series.
In this story, the family of fourteen mice pound rice cakes together with the adults and the older brothers and sisters.
While mochitsuki is the main theme, it’s also fun to spot details of the event in the charming illustrations that aren’t explicitly described in the text.
Another highlight is how each family member is distinctly portrayed.
You’ll make new discoveries every time you reread it, so enjoy the New Year spirit through this picture book!
Abuku-tatta
Introducing the picture book “Abukutatta,” perfect for lively call-and-response reading.
It tells the story of a mouse family making and eating sweet red bean soup (oshiruko).
Since many households make oshiruko for the New Year kagami-biraki in January, it’s an ideal pick for the season.
A verse from the traditional children’s song “Abukutatta,” well known from the book, appears in the story, and the characters sing it while checking whether the azuki beans are done.
They nibble a bit of the beans during the check, which gradually draws more and more family members to the pot.
Once the oshiruko is ready, everyone adds mochi and digs in—so delicious that they all ask for seconds! It’s sure to make kids want a taste, too.
Mr./Ms. Onabe
When it’s cold in winter, you just want to eat a piping hot hot pot! Here’s a picture book recommended for three-year-olds who love hot pot.
It’s an interactive book where lifting the flaps reveals delicious-looking hot pot dishes.
If you read it aloud in rhythm with the playful words, kids can enjoy it like a pretend-cooking game.
The book is sturdily made, so it’s less likely to tear even if little hands can’t resist touching the pot—another nice point.
If this book sparks your child’s interest in hot pot, be sure to try making a hot pot together!
The Mochi’s Feelings
Kagamimochi are a common sight at New Year’s.
Have you ever thought about how a kagamimochi might feel? Here’s the perfect picture book for three-year-olds who can get into the spirit of being a mochi during the New Year.
Hiroshi Kagakui’s very soft, cute illustrations will also warm your heart.
The story is about a kagamimochi displayed for the New Year that runs away from home before it can be eaten.
With a surprising twist waiting, you’ll have fun turning each page.
Wondering how the mochi might be feeling during the New Year is part of the fun—so please give it a read!
Pyupyun, the wind’s little rabbit
You can’t help being drawn to the cute cover! Here’s a picture book recommended for three-year-olds that will warm your heart even on windy days.
On a hill where a pleasant breeze blows live the Wind Bunnies.
One of them, Pyupyun, finds a letter carried on the wind.
It’s from a friend, and Pyupyun rides the wind to go see them.
When a good breeze comes along, hop on and whoosh!—off to visit a dear friend.
There’s also a plush made of fluffy sheep-clouds that puffs up and deflates with the wind, which might make you think how lovely it would feel to go out and about like that.
Be sure to open the book with your child and set off on a little outing together.
A Kind Friend
Recommended for three-year-olds! Here’s a picture book perfect for winter.
First published in 1965, it’s still beloved today.
On a cold winter day with no food to be found, a hungry rabbit discovers two turnips.
The rabbit shares one with an animal friend.
It’s a gentle tale of how the turnip the rabbit delivered makes its way among the animals.
Said to be based on a true event from the Chinese military, this story, together with its charming animal illustrations, conveys important feelings to children.
Daruma-chan and Usagi-chan
“Daruma-chan and Bunny-chan” is a picture book that lets you enjoy lots of winter fun.
The familiar illustrations of Daruma-chan and Bunny-chan will warm your heart.
Because it’s filled with games you can only play in winter, try asking your child what they’d like to do after reading.
It’s also recommended to try out the activities shown in the book—putting them into practice makes the fun expand.
Read this picture book and enjoy the chilly winter!
