When the days are shorter and the snow begins to fall, winter invites us to slow down. At St. Ann School, we believe there is no better way to spend a winter evening than gathered together with a good book.
Our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Jean Elvekrog, has curated a thoughtful collection of winter-themed books for children in 4K through 8th grade. Whether your child loves picture books, early chapter books, middle-grade adventures, nonfiction, or poetry, there is something here to spark imagination, build literacy skills, and create meaningful family moments.
Let this winter be filled with stories.
In a quiet corner of the library, a middle school student reads aloud while her younger buddy listens closely — a simple moment that builds confidence, fluency, and connection. Reading together:
Strengthens vocabulary and comprehension
Builds background knowledge across subjects
Encourages empathy and imagination
Creates lasting family traditions
Winter books in particular open doors to:
Science concepts (snowflakes, animal adaptations, weather patterns)
Themes of perseverance, friendship, and resilience
Rich descriptive language that strengthens writing skills
Even just 15 minutes a night can make a tremendous difference.
Side by side in the Kindergarten classroom library, these young readers dive into their favorite books — building independence, vocabulary, and a love of stories from the very start.These stories are perfect for reading aloud and enjoying together:
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
A Flower in the Snow by Tracey Corderoy
Geraldine’s Big Snow by Holly Keller
Go, Sled! Go! by James Yang
It’s Winter! by Renee Kurilla
Little Owl’s Snow by Divya Srinivasan
The Little Snowplow by Lora Koehler
A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson
Snow by Uri Shulevitz
Snow Dance by Lezlie Evans
The Snow Thief by Alice Hemming
Snow Valentines by Karen Gray Ruelle
A Snowman for Little Bear by Tracey Moroney
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow by Lucille Colandro
We Want Snow! A Wintry Chant by Jamie Swenson
Wide-Awake Bear by Pat Zietlow Miller
Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur
Winter Is Here by Kevin Henkes
Parent Tip:
Pause while reading and ask, “What do you notice about the illustrations?” or “What do you think will happen next?” These small conversations strengthen comprehension skills.
Reading together builds confidence, strengthens comprehension, and creates moments that last far beyond the page.Crow in the Snow by Lesley Sims
Perfect for beginning readers building confidence and fluency.
It’s more than reading — it’s mentorship, encouragement, and connection growing with every page.
7th grade buddies strengthen their special bond with their 1st grade partners through shared stories and time together in the library.All the Fun Winter Things (Arnold & Louise series) by Erica S. Perl
Ant and Honey Bee: A Pair of Friends in Winter by Megan McDonald
Ready, Set, Snow! by Abby Klein
Skippyjon Jones Snow What by Judith Byron Schachner
Snow Day (Bramble and Maggie series) by Jessie Haas
Snow Day in May (Wish Library series) by Christine Evans
Snow Problem and Other Stories (Earl & Worm series) by Greg Pizzoli
The Snow Show (Good Dog series) by Cam Higgins
These books help children transition from picture books to independent reading while still enjoying winter-themed fun.
First graders gather for story time and snacks with Mrs. Hoyer.Changes for …: A Winter Story (American Girls collection)
Babysitters’ Winter Vacation by Ann M. Martin
The Greatest Gift (Heartwood Hotel series) by Kallie George
Sheepdog in the Snow (Animal Ark series) by Ben Baglio
Winter According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
At this stage, students build stamina and dive into character development, setting, and theme. Encourage them to discuss what challenges characters face — and how they grow.
Second & third graders practice active listening as they color and reflect while Mrs. Esser reads aloud.Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
Wings of Fire: Winter Turning (graphic novel) by Barry Deutsch
The Winter Room by Gary Paulsen
These novels explore resilience, survival, courage, and history — rich material for meaningful conversation at the dinner table.
Middle school students fine quiet moments in the library to dive into a good book - building focus, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of reading.Winter is also a season of scientific wonder:
Hiders, Seekers, Finders, Keepers: How Animals Adapt in Winter by Jessica Kulekjian
Penguins and Polar Bears: Animals of the Ice and Snow
The Snow Walker (On My Own History series) by Margaret K. Wetterer
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Nonfiction reading builds knowledge that supports success in science, social studies, and writing.
Mrs. Gates brings stories to life for her 5th graders. Read-aloud time isn't just about hearing a story — it's about thinking deeply, asking questions, and connecting as a class.Poetry invites children to slow down and savor language:
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
Winter Eyes by Douglas Florian
Winter Lights: A Season in Poems & Quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Try reading one poem aloud before bedtime — poetry strengthens fluency and expressive reading skills.
An 8th grader shares a story with her kindergarten buddies — a simple moment that reflects the heart of our K-8 community. Leadership here looks like patience, encouragement, and reading side by side.This season, consider:
A weekly family read-aloud night
A “hot cocoa and books” evening
Letting your child choose one winter book each week
Visiting the local library together
Winter may be cold outside, but stories warm our homes and hearts.
Thank you to Mrs. Jean Elvekrog for thoughtfully curating this list and inspiring our students to be lifelong readers.
Let’s fill this season with pages turned, imaginations sparked, and cozy moments together.
Mrs. Jean gathers with our middle school students to talk about favorite book recommendations — sparking conversation, curiosity, and a deeper love of reading.Our St. Ann students are blessed with a thoughtfully curated school library led by Mrs. Jean Elvekrog, who works intentionally to place meaningful, age-appropriate books into the hands of our children.
If your child discovers a title from this list that sparks their interest, encourage them to:
Check our school library first
Ask Mrs. Jean for recommendations
Share what they’re reading with classmates
Reading doesn’t stop when the snow melts — it’s a habit that builds strong minds and compassionate hearts year-round.
Let’s make this winter one filled with stories.
During free choice, these kindergartners naturally gravitate towards books — building early literacy skills while discovering the joy of reading at their own pace.