Winter Themed Children’s Books to Read during Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice Books to Read Aloud with Your Family
This year start a fun tradition with your children by celebrating Winter Solstice. Pair some of these winter themed books with a Winter Solstice Activity, as your family spends the evening outdoors, enjoying being together in nature.
One way to accomplish the excitement of the winter season is by reading aloud winter-themed books, specifically about Winter Solstice to help you learn together. Sometimes it can be hard to get outside so that’s why I tell my children, beauty can found even in the dead of winter.
What is Winter Solstice?
If this is unfamiliar to you, perhaps you are wondering what is Winter Solstice and when does it begin? Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and marks the beginning of the coldest, darkest season.
As you know, the planet Earth has a tilted axis, so depending on the point where we are positioned the farthest from the sun dictates the beginning of winter in the Northern hemisphere and of summer in the Southern hemisphere.
When does Winter Solstice begin?
If you’re located in the Northern Hemisphere, winter solstice occurs on Thursday, Dec 21st or 22nd.
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Recommended Books to Read Together
Snuggling up and reading a good book together tops our list of the perfect way to enjoy the start of winter. We’ve rounded up our favorite children’s picture books that have both educated and inspired us to enjoy Winter Solstice through the years. We highly recommend these winter- themed books to add to your own library collection that relate to winter season and specifically, Winter Solstice.
Looking for additional Christmas and Winter Themed books, here is a list of our favorites heartwarming Christmas Books for your family to read aloud together.
The Solstice Badger by Robbin McFaddin
Snuggle in as the badger shares the tale of the days when the sun shone all day long. Find out what happens when the lonely sun finally finds a friend who can tolerate the intense heat. The author, McFaddin shares a sweet story of friendship and compassion.
The Night Tree by Eve Bunting
A family sets out one night to decorate their own special tree. Filling their yard with cheer, they string popcorn, tangerines and sunflower seed balls. If you feel inspired by the book, Night Tree, decorate your own pine tree like we did. Here are some crafts and edible ornament ideas of homemade bird feeders for your backyard tree including Pinecone Bird Feeders and Tikki Hut Bird Feeders.
Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven
The cold, long winter's days have started and everyone wistfully longs for the sun’s warm rays. Instead of lamenting, the baker creates warmth by baking sun bread. Thankfully as the bread begins to rise, everyone comes to share its deliciousness, even the elusive sun. Pairing perfectly with the book, Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven is baking your own sun bread. Start a new tradition, with this simple recipe for making your very own yummy, buttery sun bread.
The Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson
Winter solstice is the shortest day of the entire year, marking the start of the long, dark winter season. This educational book shares the scientific reasons for this weather phenomenon and unique ways various cultures celebrate it.
Winter: A Solstice Story (The Solstice Series) by Kelsey E. Gross
A beautifully illustrated picture book that crafts a peak into a group of animals celebrating the magic and wonder of the Winter Solstice. The cover picture and illustrations are quite lovely.
The Lights That Dance in the Nights by Yuval Zoomer
The awe of the northern lights brings joy to all. This wintery picture book by Yuval Zommer is a magical book about the northern lights' journey.
Secrets of Winter (Shine a Light Book) by Carron Brown
Shine a light books by Usborne are favorites in our home. All you need is a flashlight to discover the secrets and animals that lie under the snow in these beautifully illustrated books. Check out the whole series of shine a light books including Secrets of Animal Camouflage.
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Martin
This intriguing story is a Caldecott picture book, sharing the true story of Wilson Bentley. Even as a child he was fascinated by the uniqueness of the tiny snow crystals. Wanting to photograph them, learn about the true story of these tiny miracles. Geared towards elementary aged children.
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Follow this lyrical rhyming story with a wonderful message of recycling nature. It’s not the end of the, for the top of the trimmed tree at Mr. Willowby’s home.
Snowy Day Ezra Keats
Each and every year we enjoy this simple book for the wonder the first big snow of the year brings with it. This lovely book has descriptive language and even received the 1963 Caldecott Medal.
Activity Ideas to Celebrate Winter Solstice
Historically, cultures have celebrated and honored this day with various traditions. From baking bread, cozy camp fires, venturing on a night hike, or reading winter books; there are tons of traditions you can begin. If your desire is to find some creative ways to celebrate this special day, here are some activities to help you get outside and enjoy nature as you observe Winter Solstice.
A fun first Winter Snowy Day Tradition is to have an indoor or outdoor picnic with powdered donuts holes, hot cocoa and read a loud together. This is especially fun on a school snow day. Who doesn’t love staying cozy in your pajamas, reading and playing in the snow.
Closing Thoughts
We hope this winter you can make a tradition of reading together as a family with these cozy winter themed books.
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Many factors halt children from getting the recommended 60 minutes of active movement each day. Don’t worry, here are 21 Outdoor Winter Activities, to keep your children excited to get outside this winter season. We understand that some days it’s just difficult to get outside, we’ve created a list of Indoor Activities to Help Kids Burn off Energy .
DIY Snow Crystals
