Here are a handful of recommendations—classics and newer books alike—to keep youth of all ages occupied this winter. Looking for more titles? Ask a librarian!
Board Books
The Mitten by Jan Brett
When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find the mitten and crawl in, leading to a wonderfully funny climax.
Baby Loves Winter by Karen Katz
Little ones will love lifting the flaps in this book to reveal a red sled, a giant snowplow, a cute furry groundhog, and everything else that Baby loves about winter!
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
In this Caldecott Award-winning book, a small boy named Peter experiences the joy of a snowy day.
Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
Rambunctious Froggy hops out into the snow for a winter frolic but is called back by his mother to put on some necessary articles of clothing.
Bunny's First Snowflake by Monica Wellington
Bunny and his forest friends busily prepare for the cold weather as the reds and golds of autumn give way to wintry white and all the animals--except Bunny--settle down for a long, cozy sleep.
Picture Books
No Two Alike by Keith Baker
Alive with swirling snow and lots of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend.
Blizzard by John Rocco
Blizzard is based on John Rocco's childhood experience during the now infamous Blizzard of 1978, which brought 53 inches of snow to his town in Rhode Island.
The Thing About Yetis by Vin Vogel
Everyone knows yetis love winter. But here’s a secret about yetis: sometimes they miss summer. Sometimes, they have to bring a little bit of summer to the coldest of winter days.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
On a winter's night under a full moon, a father and daughter trek into the woods to see the Great Horned Owl in this Caldecott Award-winning book.
Elementary through Middle Grade
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice...
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
When Sam Gribley runs away from home, he sets up house in a hollowed-out tree in the Catskill Mountains, with a falcon and a weasel for companions and his wits as his tool for survival.
Dear America: The Winter of Red Snow by Kristiana Gregory
11-year-old Abigail records the despair and hope of the difficult winter between 1777-1778, when she witnessed George Washington readying his soldiers on the frozen fields of Valley Forge.
Greenglass House by Kate Milford
12-year-old Milo plans to spend his holidays relaxing... right up until his home, Greenglass House Inn, becomes filled with visitors and a web of deepening mysteries.
May B., by Caroline Starr Rose*
May is helping out on a neighbor’s Kansas prairie homestead when the unthinkable happens: she is abandoned. Isolated from other settlers, May must now find a way to survive the winter.
Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin
10-year-old Sasha is ready to join the Soviet Young Pioneers, but everything seems to be going wrong today. Worst of all, his father, the best Communist he knows, was arrested just last night.
Young Adult
Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter
6 years after Maddie's dad--a Secret Service agent--suddenly dragged her to a cabin in the Alaskan wilderness, her former best friend shows up. Maddie has reasons to want Logan dead. The only problem? She's going to have to save his life first.
Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan*
Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy?
I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall
Just as Jess was beginning to get to know her survivalist, off-the-grid dad, a secret from his past paid them a visit, leaving her father dead and Jess stranded in the Canadian wilderness. But she's going to survive. She has to. She knows who killed her father… and she wants revenge.
Trapped by Michael Northrop
Scotty and his friends are stranded overnight at their high school during a blizzard. It's not so bad until the power goes out... and then the heat. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure will force a devastating decision...
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Grace feels a strange connection to a wolf that lives in the nearby woods--the same connection she feels with a yellow-eyed boy she just met. But Sam is only human in the summer… and winter is almost here.
* = not owned by Minerva Public Library, but available through holds and in eBook format
Most book descriptions taken from publishers and shortened.