[For 5-year-olds] Picture books recommended for reading in January
By the time children are five, they can enjoy a wide variety of picture books, including those with meaningful messages and those full of humor.
Fantasy picture books are especially popular—stories set in worlds of dreams and adventure, or tales where you meet unknown creatures and can enjoy the feeling of being the main character.
The sense of fantasy that often fades as we grow up is something I hope will always remain in our hearts through picture books.
This time, we’re introducing many picture books perfect for five-year-olds to read in January, so be sure to find some that will make children’s hearts flutter with excitement!
- Picture Books to Read in February [For 5-Year-Olds]
- [For Age 4] Must-Read in January! Picture Books to Enjoy Winter
- [For 5-year-olds] Picture Books to Read in Spring | Let’s Explore Different Worlds with Children
- Picture Books to Read with 5-Year-Olds: Recommended Titles to Make Winter More Fun
- [For 3-Year-Olds] Recommended for January! A Collection of Exciting and Heartwarming Picture Books
- March: Picture Books Recommended for Enjoying with 5-Year-Olds
- A collection of recommended Christmas picture books that will captivate 5-year-olds!
- [For 2-year-olds] Recommended picture books to enjoy reading in January
- [For 1-year-olds] Recommended picture books to read together in January
- Enjoy Autumn Picture Books! A Collection of Ideas to Read with Your 5-Year-Old
- Recommended Picture Books to Read in January for 0-Year-Olds
- Fun January Crafts! A Collection of Ideas You Can Make and Play With for 5-Year-Olds
- [February] Recommended picture books for 4-year-olds: Works that let children feel winter at preschool
[For 5-year-olds] Picture books to read in January (41–50)
gloves
It’s a story about various animals crawling into a mitten that was lying in the snow.
A mouse, a frog, a rabbit, a fox… At first the mitten has plenty of room, but it gets tighter and tighter as more animals squeeze in.
Just when there seems to be no space left, along comes a bear.
The animals say there’s no more room, but the bear really wants to get in.
What will they do? The mitten, packed full, looks nice and warm, but a bit cramped.
Still, it makes you want to climb in with them, doesn’t it?
brown bear
From autumn to winter…
and then spring.
This is the story of a brown bear mother and her cub, told alongside the changing seasons.
In autumn, brown bears eat plenty of nuts and fruit; when winter comes, they spend their time in a den—and that’s when new life is born.
What might the cub feel as it bursts from the dark den into the warm, vivid world of spring? The illustrations, rendered mainly in black, are a bit distinctive, yet they also convey a certain warmth.
Bears are popular animals among children, so I hope this picture book offers a glimpse into a bear’s life.
Nemu in winter hibernation
Nem, a hardworking boy, has come to live on his own at Ippo House.
The season of harsh winter hibernation is just around the corner.
Besides Nem, there are other residents at Ippo House: Pao, who lives in a room filled with books; Mio, who loves painting and singing; and Hiira, who is the same age as Nem.
The four of them interact as they prepare for winter.
This heartwarming book tenderly watches over Nem, leaving you with a cozy feeling.
Someday, children too will strike out on their own like this and broaden their worlds, won’t they? A work that gently spreads through the hearts of adults as well—tinged with a little loneliness and a little joy.
to make a winter coat
A cold winter has arrived.
Saki-chan wants to go play outside, but she doesn’t have a coat to wear.
Then her mother lets her wear her own red coat.
However, since it was too big, they decide to tailor it…
Watching her mother’s coat transform into a lovely coat just the way Saki-chan likes it feels like magic and fills you with excitement.
This is a book that nurtures a sense of valuing things and an interest in making things.
Feel the season of winter as you enjoy this warm story.
snowball
The picture book Snowball, featuring the adorable Tottoru rolling snow, is utterly charming.
One morning, Tottoru notices that snow has fallen and makes a small snowball.
Then he starts rolling it over the snow, and the snowball grows bigger and bigger.
Before he knows it, he’s reached the top of a hill—and the snowball tumbles down.
What will happen to the snowball? The exciting turn of events will surely make children’s hearts race.
It’s a perfect read-aloud for winter that conveys the joy of playing in the snow.