Minni's Favorite Books - For a Wondrous Winter
Our favorite books for winter nights and cozy days
Winter has a way of slowing things down. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and there’s nothing better than bundling up indoors with a warm drink, a soft blanket, and a really good book. This season invites moments of quiet togetherness - perfect for sharing stories that feel a little magical, a little mysterious, and full of wonder.
We’ve gathered some of our favorite children’s books to read during the winter months. Stories that celebrate nighttime, imagination, and the beauty of the changing season. From moonlit adventures to snowy landscapes and dreamlike worlds, these books are ideal for cozy read-alouds, bedtime rituals, and lingering winter afternoons spent turning pages together.
Ancient Night by David Alvarez
Inspired by Mesoamerican myths, that explains the origin of the sun and moon through the adventures of Rabbit and Opossum; Rabbit refills the moon with glowing agave nectar, but jealous Opossum steals it, plunging the world into darkness. Through gentle, poetic text and evocative artwork, the book invites young readers to slow down, look up, and discover the timeless wonders of nightfall
The Night Gardener by The Fan Brothers
One day, William discovers that the tree outside his window has been sculpted into a wise owl. In the following days, more topiaries appear, and each one is more beautiful than the last. With breathtaking illustrations and spare, sweet text, this masterpiece about enjoying the beauty of nature is sure to become an instant classic.
The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara
Perfect for bedtime reading, pay a visit to the Midnight Library where you can snuggle up for a nighttime story.
There is a little library that only opens at night. In the library there is a little librarian—and her three assistant owls—who helps everyone find the perfect book. The library is always peaceful and quiet . . . until one night when some of the animals stir up a little trouble (and a little fun!) in the Midnight Library.
The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
As the sun set on the shortest day of the year, early people would gather to prepare for the long night ahead. They built fires and lit candles. They played music, bringing their own light to the darkness, while wondering if the sun would ever rise again. Susan Cooper’s poem "The Shortest Day" captures the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before — and the hope for peace that we carry into the future.
