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!
- [February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let children feel winter at preschool
- [February] Picture books for 3-year-olds with themes of Setsubun and winter
- March: Picture Books Recommended for Enjoying with 5-Year-Olds
- [For 5-year-olds] Picture Books to Read in Spring | Let’s Explore Different Worlds with Children
- [Picture Books] Savor the fun of words: A special feature on recommended onomatopoeia picture books
- [February] Recommended picture books for 2-year-olds: Books that evoke winter and Setsubun
- [For 2-year-olds] Let's read together! Recommended picture books for March
- [For preschoolers] A collection of origami ideas to enjoy February, including Setsubun and Valentine’s Day
- [Quiz] A Collection of Quizzes You Can Use in February Childcare
- [February] A collection of picture books we want to read with the 0-year-old class
- For older kindergarteners: Let’s make it! A collection of recommended origami ideas for February
- [For 2-year-olds] Recommended picture books to enjoy reading in January
- [For 5-year-olds] Picture books recommended for reading in January
[For 5-year-olds] A roundup of picture books to read in February (1–10)
The White Hare of InabaYoko Imoto
Do you know the myth of the White Rabbit of Inaba? It can be read as a moral tale that teaches lessons like “be kind to others” and “don’t tell lies.” Of course, the picture book Inaba no Shiro Usagi is lovely as well.
To summarize the story: a rabbit tricks some sharks, the sharks take revenge, and many gods also scold the rabbit, putting it through a terrible ordeal; in the end, the kind god Ōkuninushi no Mikoto helps the rabbit, and it finds happiness.
There are books about “The White Rabbit of Inaba” tailored to various age groups, from elementary to middle school students.
It’s a book that grown-up friends should read too.
It might be nice to read it while reflecting on Japanese mythology on National Foundation Day.
A papier-mâché hedgehogMiwa Nakaya
If you like making clothes and sewing, you’re probably familiar with the term “hari-kuyō” (a memorial service for needles).
How about you? Here’s a lovely picture book related to sewing and needles: Harinezumi no Hariko (Hariko the Hedgehog).
The protagonist, Hariko, is a hedgehog who loves making clothes and sews many cute outfits.
Before long, she wants to wear something beautiful herself—but she has all those spines on her back…
The story unfolds in a way that tickles a child’s curiosity, and I really hope you’ll read it at least once.
By the way, Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is famous for hosting the hari-kuyō ceremony; this book could be a great reason for everyone to go pay a visit together.
The Cat That Lived a Million TimesYoko Sano
A smash-hit picture book by Yoko Sano, published in 1977.
It was adapted for NHK’s “Mother and Child Picture Book,” and also became a musical, a staged reading, and a documentary film.
The author, Sano herself, even appears in the documentary.
Many people likely discovered the work outside of the book format.
The story follows a cat who is reborn again and again, changing its status each time—from a king’s cat, to a sailor’s cat, to a cat living in a circus—and finally is reborn as an ordinary stray cat…
By the way, February 22 is designated as Cat Day in Japan, based on the wordplay “nya-nya-nya.” Reading a cat-themed book on Cat Day sounds like a lovely idea!
[For 5-year-olds] A roundup of picture books to read in February (11–20)
Grandma’s EhomakiTakaaki Nomura
The custom of eating ehōmaki has, of course, existed since long ago, but it feels like it really took root with the expansion of supermarkets and convenience stores.
Some say it was originally a tradition limited to the Kansai region.
This book, “Grandma’s Ehōmaki,” is perfect for the day you eat ehōmaki.
It’s simply a story about Kiri-chan making and eating ehōmaki with her grandmother, but it’s wonderfully heartwarming.
The woodcut-style illustrations feel warm and very nostalgic!
Sushi, sometimes demonKusanari
A work themed around a world that only pure-hearted children can see—like a mirage.
“Osushi Tokidoki Oni” (Sushi, Sometimes Little Demons) won the Special Jury Prize at the 2nd Picture Book Publishing Awards.
While I’m hesitating over what to eat at the spinning sushi bar, suddenly little demons appear on top of the sushi…! Their expressions and gestures are so cute that not only children but adults might get hooked, too! It’s a book you can read while letting your imagination run wild, turning each page to see if any demons are hiding.
Demons out!Keiko Sena
Oni wa soto (Demons Out) is a picture book about ogres by Keiko Sena, the beloved author known for her books such as Who Doesn’t Sleep? and I Don’t Want To! It gently teaches the origins of bean-throwing, making it a great read-aloud choice before Setsubun.
On Setsubun, the demons flee when beans are thrown, but a little oni gets left behind.
The story follows that little oni as it starts playing happily with human children.
Sena’s signature, heartwarming collage art—full of unique humor—softens the scariness of the oni and makes the book approachable for kids.
It’s also perfect as an introduction to Setsubun events at preschools and kindergartens.
Demons and Roasted SoybeansText: Shinsuke Tani / Illustrations: Miyoshi Akasaka
Oni masks for Setsubun can look very different depending on who draws them—some are scary, others look cheerful.
The red ogre that appears in this book, Oni to Irimame, has a rather charming face.
When you pick up the book, you’ll surely think, “This red is the real red.” The story goes like this: a farmer’s mother, troubled because it hasn’t rained, says to the heavens, “If you make it rain, I’ll give you my daughter in marriage.” Then an ogre appears and brings the rain, but… I bet you want to read on after hearing that much, right? Be sure to read it after you do the bean-throwing!