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Picture Books to Read in Winter: A Collection of Story Ideas That Resonate with Elementary School Children

With the arrival of winter, you may find yourself wanting to discover wonderful picture books to enjoy with your children.

Here are winter-themed picture books that will resonate with elementary schoolers—the crisp winter air, the sparkle of snowflakes, and the warmth of family togetherness.

From richly illustrated scenes to stories that kindle a spirit of adventure, the cold season holds the promise of unforgettable reads.

How about spending a special moment immersed in these stories together with your child?

Picture Books to Read in Winter! A Collection of Story Ideas That Resonate with Elementary School Children (21–30)

Merry Christmas

Many children write letters to Santa at Christmas, don’t they? The siblings in this story, Yoshi and Na-chan, also wrote to Santa every year and set out some juice for him.

But then their mother suggests that, instead of juice, they should leave alcohol on Christmas.

It seems she’s planning to keep all the presents in the world for herself.

However, Yoshi doesn’t want everyone to end up feeling sad, so he…? This gentle, Christmas-themed tale depicts children’s growth.

Please pick it up and give it a read.

Fir Tree’s Wish

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?

The Christmas Tree Deep in the Forest

This is a Christmas-themed book with a story that unfolds around a lonely fir tree.

In the forest, there was one fir tree that didn’t grow as splendidly as the others, and unlike the other trees, it wasn’t cut down and was left behind.

But the animals decorated it, and it became a wonderful Christmas tree in the forest.

At first you worry, wondering what will happen, but you feel relieved when it turns into what you can call a happy ending.

Perhaps there’s a kind of happiness you can find precisely because you’re different from others… It’s a story that makes you think so, isn’t it?

Christmas girl

This is a Christmas story told from the perspective of a doll in a toy shop.

Holly, the doll, waits on a shelf, wondering if a child will come to take her home.

Then along comes Ivy, a girl with no family.

Will Holly go to Ivy? With a heartwarming, gentle, and dreamlike ending, it’s a perfect book for Christmas.

It’s a children’s book suitable for early elementary school readers, so it’s something parents and kids can enjoy together.

Christmas market

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.