11 Picture Books That Make Kids Feel Warm and Cozy
by Dena McMurdie
When temperatures drop and snowflakes start to fall, my kids and I make a big pot of hot chocolate and snuggle up with a blanket and a stack of books. We read all kinds of stories, but the best ones are those that give us a glowing, happy feeling.
These eleven books are some of our favorites to read on cold days because they warm us from the inside out.
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The Thing About Yetis
Available from:Yetis love winter, but even yetis get tired of the cold. When winter gets too long, this little yeti comes up with a brilliant solution to keep his mind on sunnier things. This book is for kids who feel like summer is too far away. (For more Yeti fun, and a sweet bedtime read that all kids can relate to, snuggle up with the follow-up book, Bedtime for Yeti.)
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The Snowy Day
Available from:No list about warm and cozy books would be complete without Ezra Jack Keats’s classic, The Snowy Day. You and your littles can relive Peter’s wintery outing from the snuggly comfort of your home.
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Owl Moon
Available from:A young girl goes looking for owls with her Pa one winter night. This beautiful story captures the excitement, anticipation, and real-life magic that a winter night can hold.
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My Pillow Keeps Moving!
Available from:When a sweet little pup finds herself in a comfy home, she’ll pretend to be just about anything if it means she can stay — including a wiggly pillow. A giggle-inducing story that’ll have you hugging your own pet close.
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When the Snow Falls
Available from:Snowy days are all the better when Grandma comes to play. An intergenerational family goes tumbling through a winter wonderland. As they marvel together at the wildlife and powdery snow, your own family will feel all the toastier — and maybe even share a renewed joy for outdoor adventure.
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Lost and Found
Available from:This is one of my favorite books by Oliver Jeffers. A boy finds a lost penguin on his doorstep and sets out to help him find his way home. This heartfelt book is about the search for friendship and the true meaning of home.
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Last Stop on Market Street
Available from:This book has been in the spotlight a lot lately, with good reason. It's a feel-good book from beginning to end. Themes include keeping your chin up, looking for the good in life, and helping others.
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What is Given from the Heart
Available from:Combining lyrical text by a legendary children’s book author and stunning illustrations from a talented new artist, What is Given from the Heart tells a heartwarming story of generosity and collective empathy. After reading, start a conversation about what you and your children would place inside a “love box” of your own!
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What Color is a Kiss?
Available from:Is a kiss the color of peaches or persimmons or periwinkle polka dots? Determined, young Monica needs to know. In this delightful book bursting with color and artistic spirit, Monica learns — with a little help from her mother — the answer to her most pressing question.
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Day Dreamers
Available from:In this exciting companion to her bedtime story Dream Animals, author-illustrator Emily Winfield Martin invites readers to follow the most whimsical pathways of their imaginations. Even from their cozy reading spot inside a quiet house, there’s endless magic to be found.
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The Snatchabook
There's nothing like snuggling up with a good book about books. All the books in Burrow Down keep disappearing until one little rabbit takes matters into her own hands. Every young bookworm needs to read this sweet story.
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Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2020.