Books to Make You Feel Warm and Fuzzy on Chilly Days

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story About Knitting and Love, by Michelle Edwards and G. Brian Karas
Mrs. Goldman knits hats for everyone in the neighborhood. One day it dawns on little Sophia, who helps make the pom-poms, that as busy as Mrs. Goldman is making cozy headwear for others, she has no hat for herself. She sets about making her one, which turns out to be no easy task. This is a beautiful story about how gifts given from the heart are the most meaningful of all.

Extra Yarn, by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
In another touching title about knitting, Annabelle finds a box full of yarn in the snow. Something magical happens as she starts to knit sweaters for all of those who look like they could use one (plus a hat for Mr. Crabtree, who only wears shorts and tank tops). The Caldecott Honor-winning illustrations give a unique perspective on how kind acts can brighten even the most dismal scenes.

Penguin and Pinecone, by Salina Yoon
Making a new friend sparks such joy, but the departure of a friend is so sad. Penguin delights in his adventures with his friend Pinecone until he realizes with dismay that even bundled in cozy woolens, Pinecone isn’t meant to live in a polar climate. Penguin resolves to do what’s best for his friend, but manages to find a way to continue to give his love even from afar. This simple story is worthy of multiple reads to fully appreciate its sweetness.

The Keeping Quilt, by Patricia Polacco
A family heirloom has the unique ability to spread love across generations. A quilt, made by the author’s great grandmother from scraps of relatives’ clothing, gets passed down from one generation to the next and used in various special ways. This story can inspire great conversations about family memories and traditions.

Shelter, by Céline Claire and Qin Leng
Animals in the forest prepare for an impending winter storm with fervor reminiscent of human grocery shoppers stocking up on milk and bread. When two strangers arrive seeking shelter just as everyone has hunkered down, the animals are suspicious and turn them away. However, unexpected events give forest residents the chance to learn important lessons from the visitors. Mull over this one together while you enjoy a steaming mug of tea.

Winter Days in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Rene Graef
A recent multi-day power outage made our family think more about what people did to stay warm and fed before modern conveniences were common. This picture book spinoff of the classic Little House in the Big Woods captures both the hard work of preparing for the cold winter as a pioneer, and the snug togetherness of the season. Sharing this title may even peak your kids’ interest in the original Little House series, which could last your family through the entire winter and beyond.

Patchwork Helps a Friend, by Gail Greiner and Jacqueline Schmidt
Have children grab their favorite stuffed animals to hug while you enjoy this pleasant story about a patchwork bear that collects items to repair his worn out pal, Fred. By the time he’s gathered various fabric scraps and thread, he’s exhausted. Luckily his friends help finish the task. Perhaps this story will even prompt your own kids to collect recycled supplies and engage in some cold-weather crafting—or stuffed friend repair—of their own.

Windows, by Julia Denos and E.B. Goodale
As comfy as the couch is, sometimes a brief trip outside is necessary—to give the dog an evening walk, for instance. This story studies indoor coziness from the alternate perspective of the sidewalk. After a stroll around the block, noticing other’s evening activities, a young boy returns home to his own warm, welcoming window.