Winter Reading Recommendations for the Whole Family

Whether you live in a region that experiences snow or not, holiday break is a great time for families to hunker down, get cozy and spend time reading together, or alone. We’ve taken the guesswork out of this winter with a short list of book recommendations for every person in your home.
 

Recommended for Little Ones

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson — This board book is sure to delight your toddler with a rhyming story of a sleeping brown bear whose cave fills with animal friends making their way out of the cold.
 

Recommended for Early Elementary

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats — Written in 1962, The Snowy Day tells the story of a little boy named Peter who puts on a snowsuit to discover the snow that’s fallen during the night. This charming story and artwork is a Caldecott Medal winner.
 

Recommended for Grades 3-6

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson — The Herdmans are the worst kids ever — and none of them have ever heard the Christmas story. So when they find their place in the annual Christmas pageant, things take a surprising turn.
 

Recommended for Middle Schoolers

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry — This classic Newberry Medal winner takes on the weight of the World War II with a sweet story of a 10-year old Jewish girl who will do anything to save her friend’s life.
 

Recommended for High Schoolers

I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak — Rated among NPR’s 100 top recommended books for high school-aged kids, I Am the Messenger follows Ed, an underage cab driver who accidentally stops a bank robbery and finds himself with a lot of responsibility.
 

Recommended for Mom

2 AM at the Cat’s Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino — Taking place in snowy Philadelphia on Christmas Eve, this series of short vignettes holds the magic and hope of Christmas.
 

Recommended for Dad

The Art of Fixing Things by Lawrence E. Pierce — Is dad finally ready to tackle that household project that’s been waiting for some downtime? Here’s a handy guide to make that project a reality.
 
Happy winter and happy reading!