Picture Books to Read with 4-Year-Olds in Winter: Heartwarming Recommended Stories

The Mischief Squad and the Wolf Forest

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

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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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snowball

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Tottoru the squirrel goes outside on a snowy day and makes a snowball, then starts rolling it.

Quietly and intently, Tottoru keeps rolling the snowball, and the way he does it overlaps with the children, making him irresistibly adorable.

But he gets so absorbed that before he knows it, he’s made it to the top of a hill.

And then the snowball goes tumbling down the slope…

The scene where he makes the snowball and everything that follows make for a very fun story, and it might just make children want to roll a snowball themselves the next time it snows.

It’s a simple activity, but there’s something so appealing about a snowball that grows bigger under your own hands.

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Kitten and Coat

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Long ago, coats tended to be seen as something only adults wore, but these days students—and of course even little children—can throw them on with ease.

Here is a lovely story with a coat as its theme.

Time passes without the child ever wearing the coat their mother bought for them, and then one day they suddenly remember it… This heartwarming tale, which adults can enjoy as well, won the Grand Prize at the 5th Picture Book Publishing Awards.

It’s a charming story about a coat and a cat—one you’ll want to read while snuggled up in a warm blanket.

Ready, set—Hakkēyoī! New Year’s Osechi Basho

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Sumo has tournaments like the Osaka Basho and the Kyushu Basho, but what on earth is an “Osechi Basho”? In this book, the main characters are osechi dishes, all vying for the coveted center spot on the first tier of the jubako—a quirky, fantastical setup.

The contest’s name plays on sumo’s “XX Basho,” turning it into the “Osechi Basho”! As you read, you can chat about things like how to cook black soybeans, why shrimp are included in osechi, and the origins of kobumaki (kelp rolls)—topics that are sure to spark interest.

The art style is poppy, and the expressions on the black beans in particular are a highlight!

Hedgehog-kun’s Snowman

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Here’s the perfect book for a snowy day.

The story goes like this: On a snowy day, a grandmother can’t help worrying about whether the package she ordered will arrive safely.

So little Hedgehog builds a big snowman as a landmark to keep the mail carrier from getting lost, but… It’s the kind of tale that makes you want to keep reading.

The illustrations, painted mainly in soft hues, carry a certain warmth, and the depiction of snow—like little tufts of cotton pressed onto the page—is lovely.

It’s a book that would also make a delightful gift.

The Yokai Grandma of Yokai Village

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Where do you all go back to in the countryside? For children, visiting Grandma’s house in the country is something novel and exciting—and even more so if it’s Great-Grandma’s.

Perhaps this picture book–like world exists somewhere between daydream and reality.

The heroine, Sumire, goes to stay over at her great-grandmother’s house, and when Great-Grandma starts moving her mouth and beckoning with her hand… Well, you’ll have to read to find out.

A highly recommended book that will make you want to visit Yokai Village!