The Homeschooler’s Library: Best Winter Books
It’s time for another edition of the Homeschooler’s Library. Today we’re diving into my great big list of Best Winter Books. After all, what better time than January to curl up with all the winter vibes, and a new favourite book to keep you company?
I should note that these are my Best Winter Books, with just one caveat—I’m keeping this list to best winter books, excluding Christmas. Not because I don’t love Christmas, as most of you know by now! But just because if we let Christmas in, it’s going to sabotage the whole list. For a limited selection of my favourite Christmas books, take a peek at my post from last month: Top Ten Christmas Books.
For now, grab a cozy blanket and a mug, and get ready for some of the best winter books of all time!
My Best Winter Books List
Winter Days in the Big Woods adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder—Cold weather is coming, and Laura and Mary are getting ready for cozy winter days. If there’s one thing I love about the Little House picture books, it’s the amazing way they engage, and yet calm, children at the same time. Pairing Renee Graef’s soft illustrations with a sensitive adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s original text, this picture book is the perfect introduction to the beloved world of Little House.
Norman’s Snowball by Hazel Hutchins—Leanna isn’t excited about taking her little brother Norman outside to play. After all, Norman always loses his mittens. Except today . . . This laughable, lovable children’s story was a favourite in our house growing up. If you enjoy it as much as I do, don’t miss the sequel, “And You Can Be the Cat” either! Content warning (and huge spoiler): after losing successive pieces of clothing (but not his mittens!) Norman ends up portrayed in the snow, wearing nothing but his underclothes. He’s got quite a lot of underclothes, so the illustration is hardly offensive, but could possibly be a red flag for some readers.
A Farmer Boy Birthday adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder—While I grew up loving the stories about Laura and Mary, some of my babysitting kids enjoy the Little House books that feature Almanzo even more. In this fun winter story, Almanzo gets a day off school to celebrate his birthday with a variety of farm activities.
Mary of Mile 18 by Ann Blades—This picture book always verged on a-little-bit-too-intense for me as a child. (I was a highly sensitive reader!) But I read it over and over again, anyway, so I much have felt the appeal outweighed the trauma. I’m including it in this list because it’s a less well-known story—and a Canadian story—and very much a winter story as well. Mary’s yearning for a pet, in a world where animals are expected to be “worth their keep”—and the unique role her stray puppy ends up filling on the Fehr family homestead—make an impactful, and ultimately satisfying, story.
Little King Davie by Nellie Hellis—We’ve already done a SAW review of this Lamplighter reprint in the past. When a little crossing-sweeper is tempted into a church by the sound of the organ, and finds himself listening to a puzzling text, not only his life, but his concept of his own value to God and role in the world, are about to change. Little King Davie is pretty much the essence of the classic Victorian street-child novella. And it just happens to take place during the winter, too!
The Courage of Nikolai by Mary Ropes—If you like action, intrigue, and history all rolled into one, then The Courage of Nikolai is a vintage reprint you won’t want to miss. Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, cultural customs, undercover danger, and the heroism of a dauntless child are woven together to produce a complex picture of a world in which safety—even for the powerful—hangs in a tottering balance. For a complete SAW review of The Courage of Nikolai, click here.
Winter with the Moodys by Sarah Maxwell—The Moody Family Series has got to be pretty much the definition of squeaky-clean fiction. Sarah Maxwell is a pioneer of the homeschooling fiction genre, and she’s created a sweet cast of characters who live life with a priority on faith and positive relationships. Winter with the Moodys picks up where Autumn with the Moodys left off, following the daily ups and downs of a homeschooling family dedicated to the Lord.
Winter Days with the Moodys by Sarah Maxwell—Continuing the Moodys’ story into a second year, Winter Days is another super-clean winter story with a focus on healthy role models and sibling relationships. If you enjoyed Winter with the Moodys, you won’t want to miss this continuation of the series.
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett—This is one of my very favourite children’s classics. Sara Crew has got to rank in at least the top five child-heroines of all time. The characters are beautifully developed, the rags-to-riches plot never fails to delight, and the lesson about the power of our own outlook on life is a compelling one. And as it just so happens, a very substantial chunk of the book happens to take place against the backdrop of London in the winter! Content warning: The Lord’s Name is used carelessly at least once. (Happens to be whited-out in my own copy!)
The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder—And of course, we couldn’t forget The Long Winter. Personally, I always found this book . . . well . . . LONG, as a child. Somehow, the tedium the snowbound Ingalls family suffered during the longest winter of their lives transferred itself very realistically to the pages. That still didn’t keep me from reading, and re-reading it, however. And if you’re looking for a winter-themed story with plenty of historic and educational value, The Long Winter is definitely a great place to start!
Ice Slide Winter by Mary M. Landis—Yes, I know. I already included this title in my Best Fall Books list, (for reasons which were enumerated when I introduced it!) But since it is a winter story, even more than it’s a fall one, I just had to include it here, as well. The Merry Brooke Farm series happens to be my very favourite of Rod and Staff’s storybooks. Ice Slide Winter remains an enjoyable portrait of a Christian family living a busy and lesson-filled life.
That’s My List—What’s Yours?
Winter is one of the coziest times for book reading. It’s cold outside—and warm inside—and the perfect time of year for hibernating with a good story.
I’d love to hear what titles make your own list of best winter books!
Just drop us a comment in the section below.
Looking for even more favourite reading recs? See our previous post:
Whether you’re a parent looking for worthwhile book recs, a teacher trying to fill classroom story time, or a reader who just loves great literature, our top ten children’s classics list is a great place to start.