Picture books to read in winter! Story ideas that will captivate 3-year-olds
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!
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- Picture Books to Read with 5-Year-Olds: Recommended Titles to Make Winter More Fun
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- [For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter
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- [February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let children feel winter at preschool
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- [February] Recommended picture books for 2-year-olds: Books that evoke winter and Setsubun
Picture books to read in winter! Story ideas that captivate 3-year-olds (51–60)
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.
Picture books to read in winter! Story ideas that will fascinate 3-year-olds (61–70)
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.
The Mischief Squad and the Wolf Forest
The three kids from the “Wanpakudan” series once again wander into a mysterious world.
They find a signboard that says “Ōkami-mori” (Wolf Forest) and decide to go check it out.
There, they meet a small wolf and learn that spring still hasn’t come.
They set out to find a flower called “Haruyobi-hime,” which is said to bring spring when discovered.
It turns out the forest dates back to ancient times, where you can encounter creatures and scenery you don’t usually see.
It’s a delightful book that lets you feel like you’re adventuring alongside the Wanpakudan.