Five cosy wintery picture books from our Writer in Residence

  • Guest recommendations

Author Michelle Robinson recommends some lovely books to curl up with and share in winter time.

Is there anything cosier than sharing a picture book at this time of year? Here are five wintery titles to warm your hearts in woolly-hat-weather.

Michelle recommends

Yeti And The Bird by Nadia Shireen

Yeti is ever so lonely in the forest – until a little bird comes along, searching for a tropical place to spend the approaching winter. It isn’t long until the temperature drops and Yeti’s new friend has to fly. Thankfully, Yeti has more than one friend he can rely on. 

Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story by Sean Taylor & Alex Morss, Cinyee Chiu

A gentle fact-filled story about hibernation. What happens to pond creatures when the water freezes? How do sleeping mammals stay warm and comfortable all winter long? Perfect for curious children who wonder about nature and how winter works. 

Snow Bears by Martin Waddell and Sarah Fox-Davies

Three little bear cubs play in the snow with their mum, who goes along with their game of make believe. This book is utterly adorable and has a super-cosy ending involving warm toast by the fire. Yum. 

I Am A Bunny by Ole Risom and Richard Scarry

The pictures in this simple little book are divine. When Nicholas Bunny flings his arms wide to welcome the falling snowflakes, you can sense the hushed forest all around. If you’re craving sunshine, the spring and summer scenes will perk you up, too. 

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

This book has the feel of a steampunk fairy tale, complete with yarn-bombing and a mildly dastardly Archduke. It’s fun to see more and more villagers and homes getting decked out in colourful knits as the pages turn. 

  • Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story

    by Sean Taylor and Alex Morss, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu 

    2019 4 to 6 years 

    • Picture books

    This beautifully illustrated, large-format picture book perfectly blends a sweet story with fascinating facts about animals sleeping through winter. As it’s all about being cosy and sleepy, it makes a lovely bedtime book, but would also work well for schools.