[Elementary School] Picture Books and Children’s Books to Read in February
February: the season when we still tremble in the cold, with spring yet to come.
What kind of image do you have of February?
Setsubun and Valentine’s Day might be the first events that come to mind.
This time, I’m going to introduce picture books about February for elementary school children.
From nostalgic titles you may have read long ago to educational picture books with plenty of substance, I’ve selected a wide range.
They’re all works you’ll enjoy reading again and again!
Be sure to check them out to the end!
- Picture books perfect for spring that are recommended for elementary school children. Picture books that make them look forward to going to elementary school.
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- Picture Books to Read in Winter: A Collection of Story Ideas That Resonate with Elementary School Children
- February trivia quizzes that elementary school kids will love. Get excited with fun facts about commemorative days.
- Perfect for the reading season of autumn! Recommended picture books that will captivate elementary school children
- [For Kids] Simple and Cute Origami Ideas to Enjoy in February
- Recommended in March! A collection of surprising, little-known trivia that elementary school students will want to share
- February trivia quiz: three-choice questions on seasonal fun facts like Setsubun and Valentine’s Day
- [For Kids] Let's All Take the Challenge! Valentine's Day Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts
- [For Kids] Easy Valentine’s Homemade Recipe Collection for Parents and Children
- [Quote of the Month: February] The theme is deep affection—words that pierce the heart and take your breath away.
- Recommended for elementary school kids! A collection of fun craft ideas for 2nd graders
[Elementary School] A roundup of picture books and children's books to read in February (1–10)
Someko and the OgreRyosuke Saito
Someko and the Oni features terrifying demons but unfolds as a comical story.
This picture book adapts an episode from Takasuke Saito’s collection of original folk tales, Stick Out Your Tongue, Chonma, brought to life with Jiro Takihira’s cut-paper illustrations.
In the story, a demon plotting to abduct a girl is thrown off balance by her innocent, free-spirited behavior.
As you read on, unexpected sides of the demon are revealed, which is part of the fun.
The distinctive expressiveness of the cut-paper art is another highlight.
Eleven CatsNoboru Baba
February 22 is Cat Day.
So how about reading the Eleven Cats series? You’ll be thrilled by the adventures of the eleven perpetually hungry cats.
The first edition was published in 1967, and the series was enjoyed for about 30 years until the final installment.
It was even adapted into an anime in the past, so you might enjoy watching that as well.
Be sure to delight in the adorable illustrations and the cats’ playful sense of humor!
The Cheerful Bean-Scattering in Yokai VillageTakai Yoshikazu
Yokai Village’s Smiley Bean-Throwing, where yokai gather to do bean-throwing on Setsubun, is perfect for February reading too.
The cover, with an oni cheerfully tossing beans, is memorable.
The Seven Lucky Gods even make an appearance in the story.
It’s a great chance to learn their names, isn’t it? During bean-throwing we shout “Oni wa soto” (“Demons out!”), but the scene where the oni cries because it doesn’t want to hear that seems like it could teach children about being kind to others.
There are as many as 20 books in the Yokai Village series, so you’ll surely enjoy reading them together!
[Elementary School] Picture Books and Children's Literature to Read in February (11–20)
The two are alwaysArnold Lobel
Frog and Toad Are Together, which includes a winter story about the characters Frog and Toad, is perfect to read during the cold month of February.
Seeing Frog and Toad care for each other in their daily lives will warm your heart.
It’s part of a series, and every story will make you smile at their playful back-and-forth.
Many people probably read it as children.
It’s enjoyable even as an adult, and it’s a delightful book to read together with kids!
It’s Setsubun—time to throw beans!Text: Nobuo Sakurai / Illustrations: Miyoshi Akasaka
To teach children about the origins of Setsubun, it might be fun to read aloud “Setsubun da Mame Maki da.” The cover, featuring realistically drawn ogres (oni) and children throwing beans, is striking.
There are also scenes in the story that explain why we eat sardines and throw beans on Setsubun, making it an effective book for learning about Japanese customs.
It neatly summarizes things that even adults surprisingly might not know.
Please pick up this book—a volume that offers learning for both children and adults!
The Red Ogre Who CriedText by Hirosuke Hamada / Illustrations by Yoko Imoto
One recommended work is Naita Akaoni (The Red Ogre Who Cried), which portrays a friendship between two ogres.
Because the content is rich and the text is dense, it’s better suited for children to read on their own rather than as a read-aloud.
The figure of the Blue Ogre taking action for the Red Ogre is particularly striking, and many readers are moved to tears by the Blue Ogre’s letter.
It’s easy for adults to understand as well and has a touching development; some people know the story from kindergarten plays and the like.
It’s a book that teaches us we often realize what’s important only after it’s gone.
The oni family on Setsubun DayTomomi Aoyama
We’d like to introduce “Setsubun no Hi no Oni Ikka,” a picture book with more illustrations than text that’s easy for early elementary school children to read.
It tells the story of a family of oni (traditional Japanese ogres) secretly living in a human household without getting caught.
As Setsubun approaches, the oni start acting strangely.
Thanks to the humorous illustrations, children won’t find the oni scary.
The customs of Setsubun are explained in an easy-to-understand way, too.
There are also plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes because the oni family’s lifestyle feels so human.
Be sure to read it together as a family before Setsubun!