Picture books to read in winter! Story ideas that will captivate 3-year-olds

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

As the cold winter season arrives, how about filling your time with your three-year-old with the warmth of picture books? At this age, children begin to enjoy the flow of a story and their imagination expands greatly.

Here, we’ll introduce picture books that offer winter-specific delights, carefully selected from among many favorites.

Through these books, you can enjoy special read-aloud moments that are unique to this season.

Spend heartwarming time with your child, together with some wonderful winter picture books!

Picture books to read in winter! Story ideas that will fascinate 3-year-olds (61–70)

Tom and Pippo go out for a walk

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

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Bam and Kero’s Cold Morning

http://www.amazon.co.jp

On a cold morning, Bam and Kero head to the pond to go skating.

There, they find a duck trapped in the frozen ice.

They hurry to rescue it and gently thaw it out in a warm bath.

After that, they take a bath together with the now-energetic duck and help dry its feathers.

While they’re taking care of it, Kero keeps bringing things he wants them to look at—so cute! And those knickknacks and toys are so appealing! Kids will be glued to the pages and will want the same things.

The story is a bit long, but it’s a book you can enjoy just by looking at the pictures.

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Cozy soup

http://www.amazon.co.jp

When it comes to picture books perfect for the deepening winter chill, “Poka-Poka Soup” is the one to pick.

One day, Takkun catches a cold and is lying in bed when he hears a voice coming from deep inside the futon.

As he ventures further in, he finds a chef making warm soup just for him.

After drinking the soup, his whole body feels toasty warm.

The soup his mother made tastes just the same as the chef’s.

It’s a story set deep within the futon that will make you feel warm inside, too.

After you finish reading, you might just feel like peeking under your own covers.

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Moomintroll’s Winter

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Familiar from the beloved characters! This is a picture book featuring the Moomins, originally created by Tove Jansson.

Waking in the night and unable to fall back asleep, Moomintroll decides to go outside.

There, he finds a silver world blanketed in snow…

In the quiet night of the valley, Moomintroll meets all kinds of creatures.

Beautiful snowy landscapes and wondrous, charming beings—this is a book that invites children into a dreamlike world.

If you read it at bedtime, it might make you want to go outside, so we recommend enjoying it during the day!

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Boris on a snowy day

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a book that will make you feel delighted as you watch Boris enjoying all kinds of snow play.

He starts by sliding on a sled.

It’s so cute how he describes sledding as being like a rocket and even tumbles over from going too fast.

After sledding, it’s time to make a snowman! Boris’s friend Barbara appears, and the two of them have a wonderful time together.

When they look at the finished snowman, Boris comes up with a great idea… Now, what could possibly happen next? A fun winter picture book that sparks children’s rich imaginations.

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In conclusion

This winter, why not spend some warm, cozy moments with three-year-olds through picture books? Discovering picture books that resonate with their hearts will become a cherished memory.

Precisely because it’s the season to relax at home, treasure the time spent enjoying the world of picture books together—and all the smiles that come with it.