After a December that felt more like early autumn, winter weather has finally arrived at my house. So it’s time to break out some cozy winter books. This week in my classroom, we read “The Snowy Day,” and “Bear Snores On.”
“The Snowy Day” is a classic for a reason. It tells the story of a little boy named Peter, and the day he spends playing in the snow. Peter makes footprints, knocks piles of snow off a tree, slides down snow piles and every other snow activity imaginable. The text is simple and childlike. The illustrations are deceptively simple, contrasting solid colors and geometric shapes with collaged textures and dynamic lines. Looking at this book, I can almost physically feel the sensation of sliding down a hill of snow, dragging a stick through the snow, or feeling a snowball melt in my hands. It also makes a great read aloud, with plenty of fun onomatopoeia for kids to chime in on. For kids in snowy climates, the book will give them inspiration to get their wiggles out in the snow. And for kids like mine, who are very sad about our lack of snow this year, it will give them a chance to live vicariously through Peter. 
“Bear Snores On” is a new book for me this winter. Bear is sleeping soundly in his cave when his friend Mouse comes in and makes a fire to get warm. More and more animal friends join, each adding to the coziness (popping popcorn! brewing tea! sharing candied nuts!) and making their own animal noises. Through it all, Bear continues to sleep, until a pepper fleck causes him to sneeze himself awake. When he sees the party he has slept through, Bear is overcome with FOMO and flies into a rage (as the parent of a toddler, this felt like a familiar scenario). Mouse and the other animal friends then help him realize that he can still join the fun. This book was a delight. The rhyme and rhythm of the text is delicious to read out loud, with plenty of opportunities to add voices, sound effects, and even movement. The illustrations are warm and inviting. I wanted to crawl inside the book and join the party. This will probably be a winter staple in my classroom for years to come. 