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Picture Books to Read in February [For 5-Year-Olds]
When you think of events in February, what comes to mind?
Perhaps Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, or if it’s a holiday, National Foundation Day.
Some of you might picture the cold or snowy landscapes before any specific events.
This time, we’d like to introduce picture books about February that are perfect for five-year-olds.
We’ve selected a wide range—from sweet, charming stories to titles that even adults can learn from!
Be sure to read to the end!
[For 5-year-olds] A roundup of picture books to read in February (1–10)
The Red Ogre Who CriedText by Hirosuke Hamada / Illustrations by Yoko Imoto
It’s a famous fairy tale that even appears in school textbooks.
Some of you may have actually studied this story at school.
Setsubun is a great occasion to read picture books about ogres, too.
Here’s a brief summary: There was a red ogre who wanted to befriend humans.
But humans wouldn’t easily trust an ogre.
The red ogre’s friend, the blue ogre, decided to play the villain in order to bring the red ogre and the humans together.
The plan worked, and the red ogre and the humans became friends, but… It’s a wonderful story with the theme of mutual care and consideration—highly recommended even for adults who haven’t read it yet.
In addition to this book, Hamada also left works centered on human connection, such as “The Dream of the Starling” and “Tears from the Dragon’s Eye.”
chocolate breadShinta Cho
When it comes to mysterious picture books from Korea, Chocolate Bread is the one that stands out.
What’s mysterious about it, you ask? It’s the kind of book you’ll absolutely want to read two or three times—at least! And the truly strange thing is that it’s not just children who feel that way, but adults too.
I’d love to tell you the synopsis, but I won’t write it here because I want families and friends to read it together and experience the shock for themselves.
This isn’t just a book you read; after you finish, it becomes the perfect communication tool for sparking lively conversations like “What kind of book is this, really?” It also makes a great Valentine’s Day gift!
The reason chocolate tastes so goodNodoka Handa
A picture book bursting with vivid colors.
After reading this, you’ll definitely feel like drawing lots of pictures with crayons.
Nodoka Handa’s “Why Chocolate Tastes So Good” follows the process from cacao fruit to finished chocolate.
It’s like a factory tour in book form, and perhaps what makes it so captivating are the brilliantly colored illustrations.
It’s sure to spark lively parent-child conversations like, “Cacao beans come from overseas, don’t they?” and “There are so many kinds of chocolate!” Be sure to read it while enjoying some Valentine’s chocolate!
Oni SalarymanText: Yoko Tomiyasu / Illustrations: Taeko Oshima
Not only children but also adults will find themselves drawn into the Oni Salaryman series.
It follows Akaoni, Ken Onigarawa, a red ogre who, just like humans, lives the salaryman life in the underworld, giving it his all.
The lively Kansai-dialect narration is witty and fun, making it perfect for read-alouds! Kids will be fascinated by the scary yet funny world of ogres, and adults are sure to relate to the protagonist, whose life is full of everyday realism and a touch of melancholy.
If you’re looking for an ogre-themed picture book for Setsubun, this is the one we recommend!
It’s not an ogre, it’s a rice ball.Sayaka Shigeta
In the phrase “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi,” oni are considered evil, but the oni who appear in this book, It’s Not an Oni, It’s an Onigiri, are wonderfully kind.
If oni were like these, you’d want to invite them into your home on Setsubun.
As for the plot: after a long time has passed, some oni find rice balls that humans dropped.
Feeling sorry that humans have to eat such terrible onigiri, they start making rice balls for them, but… Also, if you flip over the book’s dust jacket, there’s a special bonus—you can ‘become an onigiri.’ Shigeta Sayaka’s stories are full of laughter.
If you want everyone to smile, this is a top recommendation!
There’s a demon in my belly.Takako Ozawa
“There’s an Ogre in My Belly” is quite a unique title that tickles children’s curiosity, isn’t it? You can just picture your child’s eager face wondering, “What does the ogre living in my tummy do?” Here’s a simple summary: The ogre in your belly has a personality similar to its host—maybe a crybaby, a contrarian, or a glutton.
On Setsubun, thanks to the bean-throwing ritual, they manage to drive out the bad ogre in the belly, but… It’s also fun to draw the ogre’s face after reading.
A perfect book for Setsubun!
The Chocolate Shop CatText: Sue Stainton / Illustrations: Anne Mortimer
Sue Stainton is both a writer and an art director at a publishing house.
She has published many stories featuring cats, such as The White Cat of Santa Claus and The Christmas Kittens.
Here is a brief summary: A slightly grumpy old man runs a chocolate shop.
The cat who lives there comes up with a plan to help more people enjoy the shop’s very delicious chocolates.
And that plan is… It’s a chocolate-themed story perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Children who love cats will be especially intrigued.
Hopefully, this will be a chance for them to fall in love with books, too.