The House with the Little Red Door review

 

If you knocked on the house with the little red door three times you would find...(book jacket)

 

 

 

 

 

If you knocked on the house with the little red door you would meet Olivia.  Olivia is a young girl who feels lonely and that something is missing at her home.  Inside the big oak tree in the yard, there is a mouse, who wishes he had someone to talk to.  When it begins to snow, the two come together and discover the beauty of the outdoors.  But when mouse's tree falls from the snowstorm, can Olivia help find a new home for him? 

 

This is such a sweet and heartwarming story about finding friendship.  The beautiful cover was the first thing that caught my eye and once inside, you will find the perfect book to read on a snowy day or at bedtime. The illustrations are in cozy winter hues and kids will enjoy the detailed illustrations. Throughout the pages there are lift-the-flaps which adds many extra interesting finds to discover.  The story is about kindness and filling the empty feelings we sometimes have by finding companionship.  It is a simple story but with a tender message.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: The House with the Little Red Door

Author: Grace Easton

Pub. date: September 2025, Thames & Hudson

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

 

 

 

It's Winter review

 

Flurries flutter, soft and light. It’s winter, and our world is bright!(bookjacket)

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a wonderful story that shows us all the ways we can enjoy snow and the various events that come with the winter season. Bundle up in mittens and puffy suits, go sledding on hills of snow, build the roundest snowman ever or have a snowball fight. These are only a few things we can look forward to in the winter months.  There are also many celebrations during this time as well.  For example, the book illustrates pages on Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day. The text is rhyming and the bold, colorful illustrations definitely will have you feeling winter.  There are so many fun things to do during this time of year and reading this story with a hot cocoa will give you many ideas.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~ 

Title: It's Winter

Author: Renee Kurilla

Pub. date: October 2024, Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40n pgs. 

 

 

 

 

The Heart of Winter review

 

A heartwarming winter story that reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

A snowstorm moves in and a sudden gust of wind separates Chip the robin from the rest of his family.  When he begins to look for them, he meets Lula the red fox, who offers her warm home to escape from the weather.  Lula lives alone and is happy to have the company and the two enjoy spending the afternoon together.   They watch snowflakes fall, build a snow fox and snow bird and played outside until sundown.  But when Chip's family finds him and he flies back home, Lula misses her new friend.

 

By the front cover, this looked like a story about winter and I didn't realize it was for the Christmas season until I read it today.  It is a cute book about kindness and friendship which is always perfect for the holidays. Chip and Lula are sweet characters among the bluish/black and white illustrations with pops of red which gives a chilly winter day feel.  Lula is lonely after Chip leaves but a knock on her door reveals a family surprise waiting behind it for her. It is a quick read about opening your doors with kindness to others in need and making new friends. It also conveys the message of how your friends are your family too.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title:  The Heart of Winter

Author: Alessandro Montagnana

Pub. date: August 2025, NubeOcho

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 36 pgs. 

 

 

 

 

A Field Guide to Winter review

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This kid friendly Field Guide to Winter shows us the wonder of the outdoors and all that it has to offer during the cold, snowy months.  By using your senses, scientific explanations of nature, writing poems and stories, making crafts or animal hibernation, this book has everything needed for a fun way to learn about our winter season.  It suggests how kids can help birds with food and water, star gaze in the clear night skies or even start a nature journal to log observations of animal tracks and findings.  Geared towards the lower elementary kids, it would work for a science unit in the classroom or a family day out together exploring if you are looking for something fun to do on a weekend.   The illustrations are in pretty winter colors and the snowy pages add to the feeling of being outdoors.  The book cover is eye-pleasing as well.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-8.~

Title:  A Field Guide to Winter

Author: Gabby Dawnay, illustrated by Dorien Brouwers

Pub date: October 2025, Thames & Hudson

Genre: non fiction

Hardcover, 64 pgs. 

  

 Other books in series to check out:

          

 

 

 

 

The Old Sleigh review

 

On a cold winter’s night of deep snow, an old sleigh delivers needful things(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

What a beautiful and heartwarming book to share during the winter months and holiday season! The old sleigh hauls loads of wood to help give warmth and light to the townspeople during the cold winter months.  Over time, the small rural town grows into an expanding small city. The boy and his father are growing as well, learning to adjust to still meet the needs of their neighbors.  The old sleigh eventually breaks down but they rebuild it bigger and stronger to keep their deliveries going. It is simple on words but yet it is big on hard work ethic, a sense of community and giving to others. As you turn each page, the charming and colorful illustrations tell most of the story.  You can feel the cold winter chill but yet the warmth with a strong message of persistence, dependability and the joy from giving and receiving throughout.  It is a gentle and quiet story you can cuddle up to in the evening or before bedtime.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title: The Old Sleigh

Author: Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey

Pub. date: November 2025, Norton Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

The Giving Snowman review

 

On a snowy night, Snowman lends a helping hand to Bird, Rabbit, Farmer, and Traveler when they are in need.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

In a cold and snowy forest, a snowman offers his belongings to others who are in need. But when the kind snowman melts in the warm sun, those he has helped come to his aid in return.

  

There are a lot of books about showing kindness and this beautiful story is one to add to the shelves.  It is a heart warming tale that conveys a simple but important message of empathy, spreading kindness, giving to others and having gratitude. The illustrations give a cold, snowy winter vibe with the soft blue/gray hues on each page. When the snowman offers his belongings to the others in need, there is a gentleness of his heart you can feel as well.  It is a good story that will help kids learn about being generous to others and helping when they can without expecting anything in return.  As the old adage says, "it is in giving, that we receive" and this is the perfect book to help kids understand this important meaning.   This would be a wonderful bedtime story to cuddle up with on a cold winter night. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: The Giving Snowman

Author: Julia Zheng, illustrated by Graziella Miligi

Pub. date: October 2021

Genre: picture book

Soft cover, 27 pgs. 

 

I Definitely Don't Like Winter review

 

A brilliantly funny picture book about two best friends who just can't agree!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hank and Hoog are two best friends that love to do just about everything together.  The only thing that do not agree on though is the arrival of winter.  Hoog loves winter but Hank definitely does not.  Can the two friends find something to agree on during the long and cold winter months ahead?

 

This is a sweet and charming story for the winter season that will warm your heart.  Best friends Hank and Hoog are opposite when it comes to the cold and snow.  Hoog loves spending time sledding, reading by a quiet fire or going for outdoor walks.  Hank on the other hand seems to get the winter blues and dreads everything about the cold weather.  It is a short and simple story with easy text for a quick read aloud.  The brightly colored illustrations are large and both squirrels are cute and expressive. It has a sweet message of recognizing someone else's difference in opinion and meeting in the middle.  This is a great friendship book showing how to support one another when they are down and getting through by being together.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~ 

Title: I Definietly Don't Like Winter

Author:  Fiona Barker, Illustrated by Christine Pym

Genre: picture book, winter season

Pub. date: October 2022, Scholastic Children's Books

Hardcover, 36 pgs.

 

Harold Hates to Hibernate review

Little bear Harold is NOT ready to to go to sleep—and, just like kids everywhere, he makes every attempt to stay awake.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Harold loves everything about Fall.  He loves eating from the apple trees and tasting a bit of honey from the bees.  But what he loves the most is spending time with his friends the crows.  As the days grow shorter and winter is on the way, the other bears are getting ready to hibernate. Harold worries that if he hibernates too his friends will forget him.  So he is determined to do everything he can to stay awake a little while longer.

 

This is a charming follow-up to the picture book Harold Loves His Wolly Hat.  It is a great story about transitioning from Autumn into the Winter Season and Harold's determination to avoid his long winter nap.  It is reminiscent of kids refusing to go to sleep themselves and use stall tactics to stay up longer.  The illustrations move from yellows and reds to various shades of grey, black and blue representing winters arrival.  Text is easy for reading aloud and together with the illustrations would make a wonderful bedtime story.  The ending is cute when he eventually gives in and the crows bring him a special gift. It is a gentle and soothing read perfect for cuddling up to on a cold winter evening.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: Harold Hates to Hibernate

Author: Vern Kousky

Pub. date: October 2024, Random House

Genre; picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Thankful review

 

When the first snow falls, a little girl writes down the things she’s thankful for on strips of paper and links them together. As one idea leads to another, her chain grows longer. There’s so much good in her life.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

This story reminds readers the importance of being thankful and how making a thankful chain is a wonderful way to just pause and think about how grateful we are for all that we have around us.  As her thoughts begin to flow, it is the everyday simple things that makes the little girls chain grow longer and longer.    

It is so beautifully written and illustrated and could be read anytime throughout the year.  The illustrations are done in a 3-D diorama set photographed with a digital camera making the pages so unique and interesting to look at.  How creative this was to see all the paper detail and the mix of realistic items together .  The color palette also has a quiet, gentle feel to it and would be a perfect book to cozy up with just before bedtime.  What a wonderful family tradition this would be for any age to do anytime of the year.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3 - 10.~

Title:  Thankful

Author:  Elaine Vickers, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill

Pub. date: September 2021

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 48 pgs.  

 

 

 

 

 

Winter: A Solstice Story

 

From debut author Kelsey Gross and New York Times bestselling artist Renata Liwska comes a gentle and lulling picture book celebrating the magic of the Winter Solstice with a group of animal friends in a quiet forest.(goodreads summary)

 

 

The longest night of the year means the Winter Solstice has arrived.  Here is a beautiful story welcoming the Solstice and is also illustrated by one of my very favorite illustrators, Renata Liwska.

 

Owl calls out to the forest animals to help shine the light and share a gift of hope.  As each animal brings an item to give, they create something beautiful that brings the light and hope to celebrate winters arrival.  The beautiful words are full of meaning and are complemented by the soft and gentle winter wonderland pictures.  Each animal is so cute and full of expression which is typical for books illustrated by Renata Liwska.  The animals show sharing and welcoming which is a great theme for anytime of the year.  A surprise visitor arrives adding to the welcome. As the winter season approaches, this would make a great bedtime or quiet time read with its' calm and soothing nature.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~  

 

Title: Winter: A Solstice Story

Author: Kelsey E. Gross, illustrated by Renata Liwska 

Pub. date: October 2023, Simon & Schuster

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

I'm Going to Build a Snowman review

In this sparkling picture book celebration of winter and creativity, a boy’s snow day efforts show that perfection is relative and what’s important is taking pride in what you do!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

Nothing is better than waking up to a newly, fresh fallen snow.  This means it is the right time for building the best snowman ever!  The boy in this story makes plans to build the perfect snowman. He rolls up snowballs until they become perfect circles and then it is time to decorate it!   Unfortunately, when he is done he finds the snowman is not like the one he pictured in his mind.  This is a simple story with a deeper meaning for the word perfect.  The text is easy-to-read and the pictures reminded me of Dream Snow by Eric Carle.  In the end, the little boy is proud of his snowman by finding perfection in its' imperfection.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title: I'm Going to Build a Snowman

Author: Jashar Awan

Pub. date: September 2023, Simon Schuster for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 48 pgs.

The Winter Bird review

 

Forest animals help an injured nightingale survive the winter in a comforting story of friendship and resilience, lyrically told and gorgeously illustrated.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

When a nightingale is unable to fly south for the winter because of her injured wing, the other forest animals help her prepare for the cold weather.  The rabbits showed her how to make a warm bed from leaves and twigs.  A little grey squirrel shares its stores while the woodpeckers showed the song bird how to watch for the children to fill up the feeders.  Even though it was a scary time for the bird, she found there can be beauty in the harsh winter. 

 

This is a wonderful story that transitions between seasons.   The digital illustrations of the autumn evenings moving into a snow covered countryside onto an emerging spring are beautiful.  Many caring forest animals come to nightingale's aid showing her how to survive and become a winter bird.  I loved how rabbit and squirrel stuffed a nutshell with rabbit fur to keep bird's feet warm when the blizzard came.  The story is about compassion, caring and overcoming hardships with a little help from others.  It also shows readers how animals prepare and survive through harsh elements adapting until spring arrives.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title:  The Winter Bird

Author:   Kate Banks illustrated by Suzie Mason

Pub date:  October 2022, Candlewick Press

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

So Much Snow review

 

Follow seven forest creatures, from a tiny mouse to a giant moose, as they hunker down in a snowstorm. As the week progresses, the snow piles up and up--even past Moose's antlers!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The snow falls for seven straight days and from a tiny mouse to a large bear wonder how high it will go?  By Sunday, the forest and animals are blanketed in beautiful white snow all the way up to moose's antlers.  The following week, as the sun comes out and the snow begins to slowly melt, everything begins to emerge.  The grass is green, the trees are budding and birds sing.  But wait, does Bear see something falling from the sky?

 

This is a sweet and beautifully illustrated story that works well for in-between the late winter and early spring times.   I especially enjoyed the animals expression of joy and playfulness of each one in the snow. The rabbit was so cute making that one my favorite.  It may help teach the days of the week and the text is simple and short enough for a read aloud to younger ages.  It is a calming and peaceful read, perfect for showing the transition of winter to spring and how our weather changes and can be unpredictable.  Even for the forest animals.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title:  So Much Snow

Author: Kristen Schroeder illustrated by Sarah Jacoby

Pub. date: October 2022, Random House

genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

 

Snow Much Fun review

 

A celebration of friendship and winter wonder, this is a cozy treat for young readers.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berry and Ginger are looking forward to the snow coming.  They can go sledding, ice skating and build a snowman! But Willow is not so sure.  

 

A sweet and simple book better for the preschool ages about three friends enjoying winter.  Berry and Ginger like the snow and being outdoors but Willow likes staying inside making warm treats.  Willow gives it a try doing things her friends like and it was sweet to see Berry and Ginger give her a hand when she tumbled or stumbled.  It shows true friendship helping her enjoy things she may not.  The best thing about the book are the illustrations.  The cute animal characters are made from various hand sewn fabric materials and photographed with handmade props making it fun to look at the details of each page.  Willow likes indoor activities like baking and making popcorn and apple garlands until she decides there is something she's been wanting to try.   It is fun trying new things and Willow has found a favorite outdoor activity in doing so.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 2-4.~

 

Title:  Snow Much Fun! 

Author: Nancy Siscoe, illustrated by Sabina Gibson

Pub. date: October 2019, Balzer & Bray

Genre:  picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.  

 

Making a Friend review

 

Beaver is good at making just about everything...but not friends. One winter day, Beaver sees some snowflakes in the sky and gets a great idea: he’ll make a friend. Yes! A snowman will be a great friend!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

The adorable Beaver in this story is good at making things. But unfortunately, he seems to struggle with making friends.  He decides to build a new friend out of snow, when along comes a little Racoon, who wants to help build a friend too.  But after finding the snowman is a bit cold in the friendship area, the two realize that they had so much fun being together that each one has made a new friend after all.

This cute and heartwarming tale about making friends when you least expect it has a wonderful theme for kids who are having troubles with friendships.  Beaver and Racoon are building a friendship between themselves naturally which are depicted well by the large and colorful illustrations.  You can see it growing while they work and interact with each other.  The expressions are joyful and cute with excitement when the two discover they each made a new friend without trying.  The story is simple and flows easily to read aloud and might open up conversation about difficulties children might be having meeting friends themselves.   I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  Making a Friend

Author:  Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Alison Friend

Pub. date: November 2018, Harper Collins Children's Books

genre: picture book 

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

Ten Ways to Hear Snow review

A snowy day, a trip to Grandma's, time spent cooking with one another, and space to pause and discover the world around you come together in this perfect book for reading and sharing on a cozy winter day.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

One winter morning, Lina wakes up and everything seems silent.  The blizzard from the night before left the town blanketed with fresh snow.  It was grape leaf day at her Sitti's (grandmas) which is a special Lebanese dish they make together.  She is looking forward to cooking with her and also wants to check in because of the storm. She bundles up to head over and along the way Lina takes notice of the world around her.  She realizes that snow can have different ways to sound.  From the shovels scraping on the sidewalk to the crunching of boots walking, she counts nine different ways she hears snow.  When Lina arrives, the two spend time together cooking and having fun moments but Sitti also shows Lina a tenth way to hear snow. 

This is a nice book for a cold and snowy winter day.  The descriptive words like scraaape, swish-wish or scritch, scratch had me hearing the sounds of snow in my mind.  The illustrations are calming and quiet, giving you a sense of how it felt after a snowfall in Lina's town.   It was nice to see the special relationship Lina had with her Sitti cooking and being silly.  She also learned that even though Sitti is loosing her vision, another sense is heightened and was able to have Sitti show her a tenth way to hear snow.  Slowing down and taking in the moments of nature after a snowstorm is an activity that will get the kids and family together outdoors.  This story could also work for a winter themed school activity as well for a break in the day. The sights and sounds of people skiing and kids building a snowman makes me wish for a snowstorm.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  Ten Ways to Hear Snow

Author:  Cathy Camper, illustrated by Kenard Pak

Pub. date: October 2020 Kokila

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

The Perfect Tree review

 

Bunny is looking for the perfect Christmas tree. Her forest friends tell her that the perfect tree is one that is just her size, bushy as Squirrel’s tail, perfectly pointy on top for a star, the greenest green, and smells like Christmas. But sometimes the perfect tree is the one surrounded by friends(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

The animals of the forest offer their expertise helping Bunny locate the perfect Christmas tree.   Is it in the meadow or on top of the mountain? Or maybe down by the stream.  Finding the perfect tree is not all that easy as Bunny soon discovers.  Just as all hope is lost, she stumbles upon a tree that she hadn't noticed before.  There it was, the perfect tree after all!

This heartwarming and charming story will be a wonderful addition to the holiday reading list.  Text flows easily and the vivid colorful illustrations are so sweet and cute.  Spotting the little mouse with his backpack popping up in various places on each page will surely surprise the kids when they see him.  We all have our own own ideas as to what makes the perfect Christmas tree. This brings back many memories of how each year we searched for our own perfect tree.  Sometimes you find it and sometimes you have to keep looking.  But as Bunny finds in the end, sharing the perfect tree amongst friends is the best way to enjoy a perfect Christmas tree.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  The Perfect Tree

Author:  Corinne Demas, illustrated by Penelope Dullaghan

Pub. date:  December 2022 , Harry N. Abrams

Genre:  picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

Bunny Slopes review

Time to tackle the bunny slope! Shake to help Bunny make it snow, tilt to help Bunny ski down the Slope, and turn to help Bunny escape a cliff in his path. Is there any obstacle Bunny can't conquer? (goodreads summary)



Wearing his bright red scarf, Bunny is ready to take on those ski slopes! But first he has a little trouble heading down that hill!  With the help of its' reader, Bunny overcomes a few hurdles for a special warm and yummy treat in the end. 

I love the concept of interactive books! It is so hard for those little kiddos to sit still for any length of time and these are a wonderful addition to a classroom library.  The story is simple but the text and illustrations make for a fun read. For example, Bunny needs snow and asks the reader to shake the book. When Bunny needs to start downhill, he asks the reader to tilt the book to the right. Kids will giggle when Bunny gets to much snow or finds himself suddenly out of control. The powder-blue and white pages with the pop of red in Bunny's scarf adds to the outdoor winter feel the book offers. This short and easy read would be great when a movement break is needed to get out those inside jiggles. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 2-6.~


Title:  Bunny Slopes
Author: Claudia Rueda
Pub. date: October 2016
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Hardcover, 40 pgs.

A Warm Winter Review

One cold winter morning Little Mouse ventures out in search of enough firewood to heat his nest. But when he tries to drag his pile home, he realizes everything he’s gathered is much too heavy for him. Maybe his friends can help out, but they’d better hurry, because there’s a blizzard on the way. (goodreads summary)




When a cold little mouse awoke one morning, he decided he needed to seek out firewood to warm himself and his family.  By the time he rounded up a big pile of sticks it was too heavy to bring back home. With a little persistence and a few friends, mouse may end up with a warm house for his family after all.

What caught me at first with this heartwarming story was the intricate detail of the illustrations. At first glance, I thought some parts were actual photographs blended in with the drawings.  But at closer look, the detail in the artwork was astonishing. The woodland animals expressions are sweet as they ponder the situations they encounter.  It sends a nice message about friends working together especially in an unexpected snowstorm when they hit a snag.   This is another charming story about persistence, problem solving and working together with a good end result for all because of teamwork.  With beautiful illustrations this is a wonderful book you could get lost in on a cold winter afternoon with a big mug of hot cocoa.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~  


Title: A Warm Winter
Author: Feridun Oral
Pub. date: October 2016
Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Pub. (English edition, Hong Kong)
Hardcover,  32 pgs.

Waiting for Snow review

Badger cannot wait one more minute for it to snow. When his friend Hedgehog explains that everything comes in its time, Badger is as unconvinced and impatient as ever. But Badger’s friends have a few tricks up their sleeve to try to get the snow’s attention and distract their pal in the meantime.(goodreads summary)



Badger is trying hard to be patient for snow to arrive. Although his friend Hedgehog reminds him "it will snow in snows time". Badger decides he will wake up the snow from the sky by banging on pots and pans.  When the other forest friends come running from all the commotion, they suggest ways of their own that might help Badger make snow come a little quicker.

This is a cute story about impatience that would be a fun read just before the first snowfall is due to arrive. Waiting for things can be a challenge especially when it is something like snow!  It is hard to be patient when there are so many fun things a child can do outside in the snow.  The friends thought up some funny ideas like throwing pebbles at the sky to punch holes in the clouds or wearing you pj's backwards.  But Hedgehog demonstrated a different kind of patience, as he explained how certain things always came in their own time.  The illustrations are in soft muted colors and each character is sweet with expression. Best of all, Badger learns in the end that some things are worth the wait if you just have a little patience.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~


Title:  Waiting for Snow
Author: Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Renata Liwska
Pub. date:   November 2016, HMN Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 32 pgs.