Wintry Weather Favorites

{Aw, thanks. You are very sweet. I really appreciate your kind words about our little calendar. We had such fun putting it together...and after a little break from my scanner (or perhaps a scanning lesson for Calvin), I can't wait to see what project we begin next!}   

So...we've had some serious snow around these parts.The word is that this is the most snow we've had this early in the season in something like 40 years. The kids are beside themselves with glee at the outdoor play land we've got going on: cross country skiing, skating, sledding, snowshoeing, and generally rolling around in the powder...and Steve and Calvin are downright giddy about hitting the mountains for some downhill action this year too.For now, and for the most part - I'm rather enjoying all the snow. It's beautiful out there!  And inside is the pleasure of January nesting - we're getting in some serious couch time; drinking lots of cocoa and tea; playing more Animal Yahtzee than I ever thought possible; making lots of everything; and doing lots of reading. The couch and quilts and a pile of books are where it's at right now. In that light, I thought I'd put together a reading list of our favorite books from our Winter basket, and perhaps share a new list as each season begins this year.

Our Favorite Wintry Reads!

(A few that made their way onto the holiday list I did in November that really apply here too: Owl Moon - Jane Yolen; Snow - Uri Shulevitz; The Big Snow - Berta and Elmer Hader; The Story of the Snow Children - Sibylle Von Olfers; Winter - Gerda Muller )

And the rest...

Snowflake Bentley - Jacqueline Briggs Martin
I love this story - I love finding children's books that tell the true story of people following their passions. This story tells the tale of Wilson Bentley, the snowflake guy! This book usually inspired a great flood of snowflake making in this house, which I feel coming on pretty soon. Gotta stock up on my coffee filters. I keep adding Snow Crystals - one of Bentley's books - to my wish list, but it hasn't made it's way in yet. Maybe this winter.

Flannel Kisses - Linda Crotta Brennan
This was a recommend from our last book list, and I'm so glad for it. It's a short, sweet, and simple story featuring so many things we love about winter - snow, quilts, soup, family, and coziness.

The Tomten, and The Tomten and The Fox - Astrid Lindgren
Adelaide has a big Tomten thing going on right now - I can't even imagine how many times I've read these books. I adore everything Astrid Lindgren did, but these are really special, sweet stories. And just the right length for my two year old.

Flower Fairies of the Winter - Cicely Mary Barker
I found this book (along with the others in the collection) on a recent clean-out of the basement. I think I had them before the children were born, and I'm so glad I found them at a time when they can be so enjoyed. The poetry is simple and lovely, and of course, her drawings of the fairies and flowers are stunningly beautiful.

Grandmother Winter - Phyllis Root
I bought this book as a holiday gift after being reminded of it on the last book list. I'm so grateful for that reminder - it's such a sweet tale of the origin of winter, and we've been enjoying it's cozy tone.

The Snowy Day - Ezra Jack Keats
One of the few books I remember so fondly from my childhood. And my little ones love it too - of course, being by "Ezra" and all makes it a whole bunch more fascinating around here to my little guy. I love the simplicity of this story - and the 'blanket' of snow that arrives. Sweet, sweet.

Mr. Snow - Roger Hargreaves
I recently rediscovered these Mr. Men and Little Miss books when Edith & Edna started carrying them. Do you remember them? I remember reading them as a child, and my kids are as in love with them as I remember being. Reading them as a parent, there's a fine line between them irritating me and enjoying the simple stories. But these books have insipired a great deal of my kids' book making of their own characters, so for that I do love them.

Winter Waits - Lynn Plourd
I love this series by Lynn Plourd with of nature's 'family' personified through characters in each season. In this book, "Winter" is a playful young boy who sparkles in the snowy winter. This seems to be out on Amazon, but the Author (a fellow Mainer!) has links to purchase on her own website here.

Brambley Hedge Winter Story - Jill Barklem
Oh, the sweet mice of Brambly Hedge...this one tells the tale of them preparing for a magical snow ball. It appears to not be available on Amazon, or anywhere else I can find, though perhaps I'm just confused by the different editions. Maybe the library is the best place to find this tale - I do think it's worth it, espeically for those who are in between the picture book and chapter book stage.

Winter Tree Finder and Winter Weed Finder - Okay, these I don't have yet, but I just ordered them from my bookstore, and I'm really excited to see them. We have a lot of nature field guides, but I don't have any that are geared towards the landscape of winter. So I'm eagerly anticipating their arrival here for some exploring to begin.

Do you have a Wintry Weather favorite I haven't listed? I'd love to hear in the comments!  It's kind of fun to settle into a long book inside, that reflects what's going on outside, isn't it? We think so. And on that note (and in the interest of exercising your scrolling muscles) - this is what it does look like outside here now - taken over the course of a day.

Have a cozy weekend!

Comments

[Mrs Hammerwig]

Breathtaking photos!! Looks like the northeast is the place to be... :)

[Meg]

Beautiful photos. I love when the snow coats the trees like that.
Thank you for the book list. One of my favorite things about your blog is how kid friendly your home is. I am attempting to make mine more friendly, less disorganized mess. I really want to kick the TV to the curb but husband is not on board with me. There are so many other wonderful things to do without that distraction.

[brandie]

you know i love me some little miss and mr. books!
those are some very lovely pictures, by the way!

[brandie]

you know i love me some little miss and mr. books!
those are some very lovely pictures, by the way!

[m]

My son (21 months) loves Snow Play http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Play-Kate-Spohn/dp/0439267137/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199563446&sr=1-1 and reads it a few times every day. It's a very basic book but has great rhythm and embossed pages for little hands to enjoy. Your three have probably passed its level.

I, too, adore The Snowy Day. Atticus received it from St. Nicholas this year and it makes me so happy to read it (even if I seem to enjoy it more than he does!).

Gorgeous photos, as always. Keep warm and enjoy the winter wonderland!

[amanda]

ahh, such beautiful pictures of your wintery landscape! that first one almost looks like it's had a negative effect applied to it. lovely.

[vegasandvenice]

Oh my gosh lovely! I have been away from the computer for a very long time, but I saw this great book on Amazon. It reminded me of you, and when I was looking inside ... I saw YOUR name! Congratulations a million times. The book looks incredible!! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

Big Hug to you and yours!!

[Stacy]

Thanks for the lovely list of books. Here is another for your consideration: The Mitten Tree, by Candace Christiansen.

[childplay]

Last year in Denver, when we had a blizzard role through 5 weekends in a row, we blazed through about 398475938475 books. Our favorites were from 'The Great Illustrated Classics' series. It was a wonderful time of hot chocolate, reading, snuggling, and spending time together!

The trees outside your house are beautiful!

[Michelle]

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a true favorite of mine. I still like to read it. Her portrayal of blizzards is etched in my mind forever and my 6 year old finds it fascinating...we read it chapter by chapter.

Michelle

[Cheryl]

I appreciate your book lists. A library book my daughter and I have been enjoying is Snow Dance by Lezlie Evans. It is a fun book with great illustrations. It doesn't appear to be available new though.

[isabelle]

Hi Amanda - I love your blog - read it religiously every day! Three of our current faves which are not necessarily winter books are Pippa Mouse and What the Wind Told both by Betty D. Boegehold and Fierce the Lion by Evaline Ness. They're all out of print but you can get them used on Amazon! Hope you enjoy.

[Kim]

Although I read every post, I do not always comment - but those pictures are SO STUNNING I just had to say so!!!! We in the midwest have also had more snow this year than in the past few. Big thanks too for the book list!

[Rachel]

I don't have children yet but I collect childrens books when I'm thrifting. A fantastic one I've got next to me bed to look at right now is The Mitten by Alvin Tresselt and Yaroslova. The illustrations are just darling.

Your family calendar project is awesome. I am a big bird nerd. I would love to receive a gift like that. Great idea. Tell the boys they did a wonderful job.

[Maria]

The snow looks lovely - I wish we had some here. I see that there are some comments of Jan Brett's The Mitten, also one of our favorites. We also enjoy Karma Wilson's Bear Snores On http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Snores-Karma-Wilson/dp/0689831870/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199605141&sr=1-2

[Maria]

The snow looks lovely - I wish we had some here. I see comments above on Jan Brett's The Mitten, also one of our winter favorites. We also enjoy Karma Wilson's Bear Snores On http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Snores-Karma-Wilson/dp/0689831870/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199605141&sr=1-2

[L_Oman]

Just wanted to post you've got a regular reader from the Sultanate of Oman! Reading your posts brings a little bit of home to me everyday and I thank you for that. I miss white fluffy snow like the one you've posted pictures on. I can almost taste it! :)

[Koko]

Hello souleMama. I am a Spanish girl who loves your blog. I do not speak English, that's why I used an automatic tracudtor Internet. Only wish to tell you that you have a blog beautiful, a beautiful family, and your children are very lucky that you are a super mama for them. Your home is full of magic, colour and love, I can see in your photos. Congratulations. A hug from Spain. (Koko)

[travelinma]

Love those trees. I can't stop taking photos of the trees laden with snow either. Just beautiful.

[Karen]

This is Germany again: after all I remembered one of our favourite winter books beeing originally English/American... All our children love the "Look-Alikes" by Joan Steiner - in these days especially "Look-Alikes Christmas"!
And do you know the books about an old man and his cat by Sven Nordqvist? Although christmas is over (in Germany we celebrate christmas until January 6th) we still read "Merry Christmas, Festus and Mercury" on this snowy weekend.

Enjoy your beautiful winterwonderland and have a nice sunday!

[samantha]

our favorite winter book is Shall i KNit Youi a Hat by kate klise(?) my daughter loves this book, and its something we can both relate to as my 7 yr old is learning to knit.

[Hannah P]

I have been admiring your blog for some time now, and it has become a source of inspiration and joy for me. I know of a book that Ezra might especially enjoy, it's called Bizzy Bones and the Lost Quilt. it's not in print anymore, but they sell it on amazon. thanks so much for your fabulous pictures!

[Kathy]

Hey Amanda, Love your lists! Have you considered Shelfari? It is kind of like "My Space" for geeks. basically you build a bookshelf and it is linked to Amazon. YOu can post it on your blog too, so hopefully it would work with your Amazon arrangement.
http://www.shelfari.com/o1517747033
Here's a link to my page and you (or anyone reading Soulemama's comments)can join or post a comment!
MamaKat

[Tara]

Thanks for another great book list, Amanda!

One of my favorite winter books from my childhood is The Biggest Snowstorm Ever, by Diane Paterson - it's especially fitting this winter! It's out of print, but it's available used through Amazon.

We just returned from a trip to TN, and it's nice that it's still early enough in winter that returning home to piles and piles of snow feels wonderful and exciting!

[Molly]

Those photographs are truly breathtaking! I love the bright color--here in Minnesota, it's melting snow (after getting more snow than we are used to!) and gray skies. Love all those beautiful books! :)

[Heather]

Thanks for your book lists! I love that and always look them up at the library. Several on this list we love and several were new to me, so I can't wait. One we stumbled upon this winter is "Toot & Puddle: Let it Snow" by Holly Hobbie. It is for ages 3-6 and a sweet story about two friends that make handmade gifts for each other every Christmas. The pictures are just beautiful watercolors painted by the author.

[Grace]

Our winter book basket is in need of some weeding (tomorrow -- we'll enjoy a few more Christmas ones today as the 12th Day of Christmas!), so I'm glad to see your new list! Many are favorites of ours, too.

I was really commenting, though, to remark on your record snowfall year. We had one of those last year and it was my favorite winter ever. This year is a bit more average for these parts -- some snow, some really warm days, lots of thawing just in time for a new cold front. And so on. Anyway, enjoy all that snowy magic!!

[Kelly]

Three Pebbles and a Song is an awesome book to read aloud. The story is sweet and reminds us that practicality alone will not help us through the snowy winter! I hope the link shows up--it's by Eileen Spinelli if I goofed the amazon link below...

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Pebbles-Song-Eileen-Spinelli/dp/0803725280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199654481&sr=1-1

[Jill]

Thanks for the great list. I got a few from the library from your recommendation and started the seasonal book basket in the family room. It's been a big hit.

One of my favorites: The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Wordless, beautiful illustrations. A great tale for the kids to narrate or just wonder at on their own. A beautiful side of Frosty!

[lindsey clare]

your winter is so fascinating to me. it's 25 degrees celsius in Sydney today. and that's quite cool for January!

[melissa martin]

" A Mountain of Mittens" is another Lynn Plourde book that you may enjoy later in the winter when Spring seems too far away. It makes both my 5 year old and my 11 year old laugh and has a fun read aloud rhythym.
Melissa

[The Simple Family]

Are there books for people who are wearing shorts in January...you know, those of us winter forgot?

I get to a point where I feel bad reading about snow because my daughter so desperately wants for us to have it.

[Paula]

I received a copy of Owl Moon earlier this year when my daughter was born, because the illustrations were done by a friend of my parents'. I think it's just a beautiful book.

[susan]

Too gorgeous, and I love someone who sees snow and thinks, "books!"

[Annie]

What magical photos - fantastic!

[Sarah]

I have been a faithful reader since being on bedrest with my son over a year ago, but I have never left you a note.
I really enjoy your blog. Your books lists, your phorographs, your day to day with the kiddlets make me smile. Thank you for sharing.

[Sarah]

I have been a faithful reader since being on bedrest while pregnant with my son over a year ago, but I have never left you a note.
I really enjoy your blog. Your books lists, your photographs, your day to day with the kiddlets make me smile. Thank you for sharing.

[rebecca]

I've got two to add:

Winter Poems by Barbara Rogasky and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (which makes it SO good!) (http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=74-9780590428736-0) This is a collection of other well known folk's poetry about winter-y things, but it's so wonderfully illustrated, and having them all together in one book is nice too.

Dear Rebecca, Winter Is Here by Jean Craighead George (http://www.powells.com/biblio/71-9780064434270-0)
My mother picked this out for me, perhaps for obvious reasons, but the name tie-in wasn't even necessary to make this a nice story about winter, solstice, and the natural world.

Thanks for your wonderful, inspiring blog and the ongoing list of great books!

[wenders]

I LOVE Yahtzee and did not know Animal Yahtzee existed! This is amazing.

I love it when you share lists - I save some in order to be inspired when my turn for raising children rolls around. :)

[sarah]

It's been 13 years since I saw my first (and only, thus far) silver thaw - and with it, a real, heavy snowfall. It was on Valentine's Day and we had to be whisked home from school before they closed all the roads.

Thanks for taking me back. These are beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

[Deardeedle]

I'm jelous of your snow! Those of us in the Buffalo/Rochester region are dealing with 50-60 degree days. Don't get me wrong - I love the mild weather but it is seriously cutting into my lovely winter!

[Jessica]

i'm getting to this late... but a couple additional favorites from my home are: http://www.amazon.com/This-Place-Snow-Rebecca-Bond/dp/0525473084/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200013441&sr=8-2
and http://www.amazon.com/This-Place-Snow-Rebecca-Bond/dp/0525473084/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200013441&sr=8-2
good, good reads. thanks for the wonderful list!

[Jessica]

oops --
the second title is:
http://www.amazon.com/Shall-Knit-You-Hat-Christmas/dp/031237139X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200013516&sr=1-1

[Juliette]

Thank you for the recommendation for The Tomten. I ordered it earlier this week for my 2-year-old daughter, and it came today, on a snowy cold day. She loves it and we've read it three times already and she's "read" it to Dad once - clearly the story is resonating for her. We live on a woodlot with outbuildings, and surrounded by dairy farms, so the story works well for us. Magical!

[Lindsay]

Thank you so much for this wonderful book list. My daughter and I love to read but have been feeling a little bored by the selection of books we've seen lately. This really jogged my memory of a few forgotten favourites and added in some lovely new ones too. It's also given me inspiration about creating our own seasonal booklists. Thanks again, your blog is inspiring and your photographs beautiful.

[colleen]

Sorry this comment is so late but you need to know about my absolute favourite snow read. Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham is a huge favourite in this house. The chapter called Dulce Domum tells of Mole and Ratty's walk through the woods on a wintry night as snow begins to fall, when Mole smells his old house and is overwhelmed with nostalgia. The reunion of Mole with his modest home encapsulates the emotion of any traveller arriving home, anytime, but especially at wintertime.
A very English read, but a universal sentiment.