[February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let children feel winter at preschool
There are many occasions where we read books to children, such as storytime sessions held indoors at preschools.
Some of you may be wondering which picture books to read in February.
In this article, we’ve put together a selection of picture books that are perfect for February and recommended for four-year-olds.
We’ll introduce works that let children feel the chill of winter, as well as ones themed around events like Setsubun and Valentine’s Day.
How about reading picture books with stories that warm the cold winter for the children?
- Picture Books to Read in February [For 5-Year-Olds]
- [March] Recommended for 4-year-olds! Picture books that will make you smile and grin
- [February] Picture books for 3-year-olds with themes of Setsubun and winter
- [February] Recommended picture books for 2-year-olds: Books that evoke winter and Setsubun
- [For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter
- [For 4-year-olds] Enjoy February! A Collection of Craft Ideas
- [Picture Books] Savor the fun of words: A special feature on recommended onomatopoeia picture books
- March: Picture Books Recommended for Enjoying with 5-Year-Olds
- [February] A collection of picture books we want to read with the 0-year-old class
- [For 1-year-olds] Recommended picture books to read together in January
- For older kindergarteners: Let’s make it! A collection of recommended origami ideas for February
- [For 4-Year-Olds] Recommended Spring Picture Books | Engaging with the World and Friends
- [For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended for January! A Collection of Exciting and Heartwarming Picture Books
[February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let you feel winter at daycare (21–30)
Pore Pore in the Snow
Although it’s become harder recently due to the mild winters, there are still regions where you can play in the snow when winter comes.
Some children get super excited about winter-only activities like making snowmen and having snowball fights, don’t they? And if you could also observe the aurora, which can be seen in winter, the kids would probably get even more excited.
These scenes are depicted through Yagi-kun, Harinezumi-kun, and Zou-kun.
You can also feel the beauty of the snowy landscapes and the aurora spreading across the sky.
Among the children who read the picture book together, some might even become interested in the aurora.
The Secret Room of Wild Rose Village
If there were a secret room in your house that you’d never entered before, some children would surely be thrilled, wouldn’t they? This is a picture book that sparks that very curiosity.
It also features wonderful illustrations that heighten the excitement.
You can sense the book’s world through the artwork, and some people even buy the book for the illustrations alone.
The festival where the little mice celebrate winter in their rural life is depicted with great care.
Experience curiosity and the beautiful lives of the mice as you read this picture book.
[February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let you feel winter at daycare (31–40)
Six Frogs and a Chilly Night
There are times when you want to sleep but just can’t, right? Kids are full of energy too, and sometimes they just can’t fall asleep even at night.
In this picture book, you’ll meet some frogs who took it so easy that they forgot to hibernate.
You’d think they’d hate the cold, but when they saw snow for the first time, they were thrilled and started playing in it.
Children are sure to be captivated by the adorable frogs and the heartwarming story.
And if they copy the frogs and play in the snow, they might sleep soundly at night.
Aokun Fukuchan
Speaking of Setsubun, it’s the event where ogres show up…
As February approaches, children might be getting nervous with excitement.
In this picture book, Ao-oni the blue ogre and Fuku-chan, the god of good fortune, make an appearance.
It seems the two of them are talking about switching the roles of ogre and fortune.
With a heart-thumping, exciting turn of events, children may forget their fear and simply enjoy the story.
Rather than a typical holiday-themed picture book, this one shines for its engaging narrative, and I highly recommend reading it as Setsubun draws near.
red gloves
This picture book charms with its gentle illustrations and storytelling, focusing on a child’s red mittens.
The two red mittens are always together, warmly wrapping a pair of small hands.
They helped when the child made a snowman for the first time and when rolling snowballs.
The way the red mittens are spoken of like close friends leaves your heart feeling softly warmed.
Children often lose their mittens, so if they think of them as friends like this, they might take better care of them.
In this book, the child loses one of the red mittens, too.
Let’s hope it’s found safe and sound…
Let’s warm up.
A warm bath in winter feels so comforting, doesn’t it? In this picture book, a little rabbit finds a hot spring and tries to get in.
But it turns out to be the monkeys’ hot spring, or the bears’ hot spring, so they won’t let the rabbit in.
Will the rabbit be able to warm up in a hot spring? Winter baths are cozy once you’re in, but getting in can be tough.
Still, after reading this picture book, kids might feel like they’re enjoying a hot spring themselves.
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.