[For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter
By the time children are four, some can read hiragana and even picture books on their own.
So this time, I’d like to introduce picture books for January that let four-year-olds enjoy the winter season.
We’ve gathered lots of exciting books with real stories—perfect for four-year-olds who are starting to enjoy plot and wonder what will happen next.
You’re sure to find a new favorite.
Whether reading alone or listening to a teacher read aloud, enjoy exploring many picture books!
- [February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let children feel winter at preschool
- [For 5-year-olds] Picture books recommended for reading in January
- A collection of recommended picture books to read with 4-year-olds that will make the wait for Christmas exciting
- [For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended for January! A Collection of Exciting and Heartwarming Picture Books
- [For 2-year-olds] Recommended picture books to enjoy reading in January
- [March] Recommended for 4-year-olds! Picture books that will make you smile and grin
- [Picture Books] Savor the fun of words: A special feature on recommended onomatopoeia picture books
- For 4-Year-Olds: January Crafts! A Collection of Fun Ideas with Winter and New Year Themes
- [For 1-year-olds] Recommended picture books to read together in January
- [February] A collection of picture books we want to read with the 0-year-old class
- Picture Books to Read with 4-Year-Olds in Winter: Heartwarming Recommended Stories
- Picture Books to Read with 5-Year-Olds: Recommended Titles to Make Winter More Fun
- Picture books to read in winter! Story ideas that will captivate 3-year-olds
[For 4-year-olds] Must-reads for January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter (41–50)
Rice-Cake Bath
Set in the cozy hot spring “Poka Poka no Yu,” Omachi’s Bath weaves a uniquely charming tale.
The protagonists are Mo-chan and Chi-chan, a pair of rice cakes.
They want to take a nice, slow bath, but the soy-sauce footbath is packed with sushi folks, and the kinako bath is full of dango dumplings.
Is there a bath where the two can relax? With enticing options like a hot-pot bath and a toaster sauna, delightful tubs keep appearing, making it impossible to stop turning the pages.
A fun picture book that’s perfect for winter.
The Mochi’s Feelings
It seems mochi have worries that only mochi can understand.
The star of this picture book is a splendid kagami mochi.
But its expression is anything but cheerful… Apparently, it’s on edge, wondering when it’s going to be eaten.
Being eaten means being torn and kneaded—enough to make any mochi dread the whole ordeal.
Some children might even think, “Poor Mr.
Mochi,” but don’t worry.
The kagami mochi escapes on its own two feet, and a surprising turn of events awaits! It’s a delightful winter tale about mochi.
Be sure to give it a read.
Mochi pounding
Like the children in this picture book, there may be many kids who think mochi is something you just buy at a store.
That’s exactly why we want them to experience mochi pounding for themselves.
In this book, the process is carefully shown—from preparing the tools, the usu (mortar) and kine (pestle), to putting in the glutinous rice—until the mochi is ready.
The children’s expressions, depicted with a distinctive touch, are so lively that just looking at them makes you feel happy too.
Please enjoy the fun winter event of mochi pounding through this picture book.
Same, Same, Momon-chan
This is a story about Momon-chan teaming up with Goldfish-san and Cactus-san to build a snowman.
The full two-page spreads vividly depict the scenes, conveying just how hard it is to make a big snowball.
You can’t help but want to cheer them on, saying, “Heave-ho, heave-ho!” Children will probably feel as if they’re making the snowman right alongside Momon-chan.
So, what kind of snowman did they end up making? It’s exciting to imagine! It’s a perfect book for winter read-alouds, capturing the joy of playing in the snow.
It’s coming! It’s here! New Year Seven!
“Here It Comes! It’s Here! New Year Seven” might be irresistible for kids who love sentai-style heroes.
The ever-sudden hero, Seven, has arrived for the New Year! Let’s learn about New Year’s Eve and New Year traditions together with Hero Seven.
From year-end preparations and ozoni soup to osechi dishes and New Year’s games, this book offers a solid introduction to Japan’s wonderful traditional customs.
It even comes with a sugoroku board game, dice, and a spinning top, so the whole family can play and enjoy time together!
Komadako-san and Yukidaruma-san
Komadako, who lives in the countryside, wakes up to find that snow has fallen and decides to make a snowman.
When she finishes a snowman about the same size as herself, she sits next to it for tea time.
To her surprise, the snowman starts having tea with her, too! After that, they play together, take a bath, and spend a delightful time.
It’s like a dream where you can spend the day with a snowman as if you were friends.
Please enjoy this gentle and lovely book during winter read-aloud time.
Sakura and Yuki
Sakura and Yuki is a book depicting the spirits of cherry blossoms and snow who wish to meet “just once more.” Although the two meet and become friends, they find it hard to see each other again, and their longing only grows.
The way they ask a cat and a little bird about one another is endearing and a little bittersweet.
Just looking at the beautiful illustrations, drawn with a delicate touch, invites you to imagine a gentle, warm story.
It’s a picture book to enjoy by looking and listening, filled with stunning snowy scenes and cherry blossoms in full bloom.