Warm Winter Reads: Picture Books for Kids

The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is the unofficial start of cold weather celebrations. Light festivals, snowy days, gatherings, gifts and special foods are a few ways to make the season bright. Although the days are short and the nights are long, the solstice is the perfect time to cozy up with these seasonal books. Share them with family and friends, old and new!

The Shortest Day: An illustrated version of Susan Cooper's 40-year-old poem, The Shortest Day presents the centuries-old traditions of communal lights, feasts and music.

Wintercake: Thomas the Beaver’s dried fruits have disappeared, and now he can’t make his wintercakes! In an act of friendship, Lucy the Bird sets off on an adventurous mission to find the missing fruit. The friends find more than what they were looking for in this story of friendship, ritual, treats and sharing.

I Got the Christmas Spirit: How do you catch the Christmas spirit? Go outside and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the holiday season. Join the merry narrator and her mother as they revel in the joy of Christmas cheer.

Kugel for Hanukkah?: A little girl and her family participate in their ritual of exchanging gifts and enjoying traditional Hanukkah foods.

What's your favorite winter tradition?