Picture Books to Read with 5-Year-Olds: Recommended Titles to Make Winter More Fun

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

The cold season is perfect for enjoying picture books indoors.

Here, we’ll introduce a variety of winter picture books just right for five-year-olds—stories that let them feel the changing seasons and the wonders of nature.

From falling snow and how animals live, to warm family moments, these seasonal tales will make children’s curiosity sparkle.

Even on chilly days, why not take a journey into the world of imagination through a favorite picture book? Explore the delightful world of winter-themed picture books together with your children!

Great winter picture books to enjoy with a five-year-old (21–30)

Fir Tree’s Wish

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Fir trees have those distinctive jagged needles, don’t they? The fir tree in this picture book absolutely hates its own leaves and longs for the soft, rounded leaves of others.

So it asks a fairy to change the shape of its leaves.

The fir tree is delighted—but once its leaves have changed, new problems it had never imagined begin to appear…

It’s an intriguing setup, with the fir tree—often the star of Christmas—struggling with self-doubt, and it makes you want to know what happens next.

Will the fir tree learn to like the way it looks, different from those around it, and find confidence in itself?

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Christmas Adventure

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Cosmo, who doesn’t like winter, sets out at Betty’s invitation to find the “Christmas Tree of Light,” said to stand in the forest where the brightest star in the world shines.

But even when they ask the animals, no one knows about it, and they can’t seem to find it.

Does the Christmas Tree of Light really exist…? This is a thrilling yet delightful book for children about an adventure through the forest at night.

Turn the pages with excitement, wondering what kind of tree they’ll discover, and join the adventure yourself.

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Christmas market

http://www.amazon.co.jp

A Christmas market set up in the town square… This heartwarming book lets you feel the connections between people, chance meetings, and kindness.

The protagonist of the story is Kuro, an abandoned dog.

Kuro meets a girl holding a white stuffed dog, forms a bond with her, and finds his own happiness.

It’s a lovely picture book where you can enjoy the lively, cozy atmosphere of the market while experiencing a moving story.

You’ll also learn what a Christmas market is like, and Kuro’s determined efforts to deliver something to the girl will touch your heart.

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Coco-chan the Santa

http://www.amazon.co.jp

When you think of Santa, you probably picture an old man with a white beard.

But the Santa who appears in this story is more like a little puppy named Coco-chan.

Coco-chan prepares presents for her friends in the forest and rides a reindeer to deliver them.

What kind of gifts did Coco-chan prepare? Were her friends happy to receive them? From the cover illustration, you can feel the charming, heartwarming atmosphere of this lovely book.

If you like, give it a read at Christmas.

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Pikki’s Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a story about Pikki the doll, who tries hard to make her way back to Rina.

Rina cherished Pikki very much, but she dropped her while shopping.

Pikki tried to find a way home, but, unfortunately, she was run over by a carriage.

The one who helped the immobilized Pikki was an old man with a white beard—yes, Santa Claus.

Seeing Pikki’s earnest efforts, children will surely cheer for her with pounding hearts, wondering, “Will she make it home?” It’s a lovely Christmas picture book that also nurtures a spirit of taking good care of toys.

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In conclusion

Precisely because it’s the cold season, let’s spend warm, cozy time with five-year-olds.

Take it slow in the room, open up some winter picture books, and enjoy heartwarming moments as you expand your imaginations within the world of the stories.

Through picture books that capture the feeling of winter, make lots of winter memories together with the children.