Picture Book Basket // January

January brings the snow,
It makes our feet and fingers glow.
—Christina Rossetti

At the turn of the year, holidays have ended and winter magic begins. Snowfall fills us with wonder as we watch through the window or make tracks with our boots. 

One day this winter, we played "follow the leader" through the snow, stomping single-file under tree branches and around bare bushes. Every now and then we'd drop and make snow angels before continuing our winding journey with a new leader. That day for me perfectly captures the winter wonder I want to hold onto. 

Winter often begins to drag on and on, but I have found solace in appreciating what winter offers instead of what it takes away. These sweet books celebrate that same attitude:

Walk and See: Opposites, by Rosalind Beardshaw

Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen

Wonderful Winter, by Bruce Goldstone

Extra Yarn, by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

Sweater Weather, by Matt Phelan

Snow Sisters, by Kerri Kokias and Teagin White

First Snow, by Bomi Park

The Tomten, by Astrid Lindgren

The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats

The Mitten, by Jan Brett

Winter, by Gerda Muller

Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal

Flower Fairies of the Winter, Cicely Marie Barker

The Story of the Snow Children, by Sibylle von Olfers

Ollie's Ski Trip, by Elsa Beskow

Arctic Animals, by Jill McDonald

Chirri and Chirra, The Snowy Day, by Kaya Doi 

Lines, by Suzy Lee

One Winter Up North, by John Owens