The Winter Season

Out Cold: A Little Bruce book written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins

The mice want to celebrate winter doing all their favorite outdoor things. But poor Bruce is inside with a cold. Luckily, the mice decide to bring the winter fun indoors.

Just One Flake written and illustrated by Travis Jonker

Determined to catch a perfect snowflake, Liam sticks out his tongue and tries a number of tricks, all to no avail, but after giving it one last shot, he grabs one in an unexpected way.

Go, Sled! Go! Written and illustrated by James Yang

Go, sled, go! What could be more exciting than a thrilling sled ride? Maybe when a few unexpected creatures join the adventure? Before long, there’s a bunny, a moose, a snowman, and even a baker with cakes on the sled, and more surprises are headed their way. Repetitive words and large type make this a perfect book for beginning readers. And the laughs and surprises keep coming until the very satisfying end.

Snow Horses: A First Night Story written by Patricia MacLachlan

On a snowy New Year’s Eve, two black horses pull a sleigh through town, spreading love and joy to the community.

The Winter Bird written by Kate Banks

Forest animals help an injured nightingale survive the winter in a comforting story of friendship and resilience, lyrically told and gorgeously illustrated. As the days grow shorter and the air becomes colder, the spring birds fly south for winter–all except for a nightingale with a broken wing. Unable to fly, the nightingale worries about how to prepare for weather it’s never had to experience before. Luckily, the forest animals who are used to frosty conditions help the nightingale navigate the cold as its wing heals. Though the unfamiliar season proves challenging, and even a little scary at times, the nightingale discovers there’s beauty to be found in even the harshest weather–and with that comes newfound gratitude for the return of spring.

Maisy’s Snowy Day written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins, Lucy author, illustrator.

Maisy wakes up in the morning to find that it’s snowing–what an exciting surprise! She and her friends bundle up and head to the park to play.

So Much Snow written by Kristen Schroeder

Seven forest creatures, from a tiny mouse to a giant moose, hunker down in a snowstorm as they wonder when the snow will stop.

Emile and the Field written by Kevin Young

Emile loves the field close to his home–in spring, summer, and fall, when it gives him bees and flowers, blossoms and leaves. But not as much in winter, when he has to share his beautiful, changeable field with other children … and their sleds.

We Want Snow! a wintry chant written by Jamie Swenson

In this raucous, rhyming plea for snow, a group of youngsters imagines the cold-weather delights they’ll enjoy once winter arrives. From sledding down hills and skating on ponds to building snow forts and snowmen to sharing crackling fires and mugs of hot cocoa, they want snow and plenty of it! The snow can’t arrive soon enough. But once the flakes start to fall, are the youngsters in for more than they bargained for?

Nonfiction

Building Snow Forts written by Dana Meachen Rau

Learn how to build snow forts with these fun activities.

Shelter Animals

Madeline Finn and the Blessing of the Animals written and illustrated by Lisa Papp

When Madeline Finn attends the Blessing of the Animals with Bonnie and Star, she finds herself thinking about the gifts each of us have to offer, and looks for an opportunity to share hers with the animals at her local shelter.

Negative Cat written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

When a boy is FINALLY allowed to get a cat, he has no doubts about which one to bring home from the shelter. But Max the cat isn’t quite what the family expected. He shuns the toy mouse, couldn’t care less about the hand-knitted sweater, and spends most of his time facing the wall. One by one, the family gives up on Max, but the boy loves his negative cat so much, he’ll do anything to keep him. Even the thing he dreads most- practicing his reading. Which, as it turns out, makes everything positive!

I Want a Dog written and illustrated by Jon Agee

The Copley County Animal Shelter has an aardvark, a lizard, a goose, a weasel, and plenty more. But do they have a puppy? The girl with her wagon is ready to adopt a dog–not an aardvark, lizard, or goose! Can the shelter manager help her to find her perfect pet?

Mr. Scruff written by Simon James

Everyone knows that owners and their dogs belong together in a unique way. Polly belongs to Molly, Eric belongs to Derek, Berry belongs to Terry. But poor Mr. Scruff, alone in the rescue shelter, doesn’t belong to anyone. Then a boy named Jim walks in, and they seem to get along. Jim and Mr. Scruff don’t look anything alike, and their names certainly don’t rhyme, but they may end up belonging to each other just the same.

Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog written and illustrated by Lisa Papp

After Madeline Finn adopts a puppy, she learns about her local animal shelter and organizes donations and volunteers to improve the lives of the animals there.

Felipe and Claudette written and illustrated by Mark Teague

Longtime residents of Mrs. Barrett’s adoption shelter, Felipe (a grumpy cat) and Claudette (a hyperactive dog) seem like they will never find a forever home, and Felipe is convinced that it is all Claudette’s fault–but when the dog is finally adopted, Felipe is so depressed that he hides on adoption day, and it turns out that Claudette also misses her friend.

Found Dogs written and illustrated by Erica Sirotich

Counts up ten dogs who are waiting in a shelter, then counts back down to one as each dog is adopted.

Dramatic play: https://earlylearningideas.com/dramatic-play-area-animal-shelter/

DIY crafts for shelter animals: https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/crafts-shelter-animals/

Immigration and Emigration

What You Need to be Warm written by Neil Gaiman

During the coldest season, when the world feels scary — what do you remember about being warm? Baked potatoes. Trust. A kettle on the stove. Blankets. A smile. And, most of all, the reassurance that you belong. In his powerful and moving poem, featuring illustrations from thirteen extraordinary artists, bestselling author and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Neil Gaiman draws together many different memories to answer the question, ‘what do you need to be warm?’

Finding Papa written by Angela Pham Krans

Follows young Mai and her mother’s perilous journey from Vietnam to America to find Papa–who left ahead of them to start a better life for their family.

To the Other Side written and illustrated by Erika Meza

A girl reframes the dangerous border crossing between Mexico and the United States as a game to help her brother through the journey.

With Lots of Love written by Jenny Torres Sanchez

Rocio and her family move from Central America to the United States, leaving behind their extended family and many happy memories, but Rocio’s Abuela finds a way to send her something special for her birthday.

The Notebook Keeper: a story of kindness from the border written by Stephen Briseño

After traveling to Tijuana, Mexico, Noemi and her mother are denied entry at the border and must find the refugee in charge of the notebook, an unofficial ledger of those waiting to cross into the United States.

My Two Border Towns written by David Bowles

A boy and his father cross the United States-Mexico border every other Saturday, visiting their favorite places, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care.

I Dream of Popo written by Livia Blackburne

When a young girl and her family emigrate from Taiwan to America, she leaves behind her beloved popo, her grandmother. She misses her popo every day, but even if their visits are fleeting, their love is ever true and strong. Includes author’s and illustrator’s notes detailing their personal experiences, and glossary of Chinese words connected to the story.

Facing fear: an immigration story written by Karen Lynn Williams

Enrique is a U.S. citizen-but the rest of his family isn’t. When he hears a rumor of a police raid, Enrique must face the possibility of being separated from his parents and sister.

Anita and the Dragons written by Hannah Carmona

Anita watches the dragons high above her as she hops from one cement roof to another in her village in the Dominican Republic. But being the valiant princesa she is, she never lets them scare her. Then one day, Anita must face her fears to begin a new life in a new country. Will she be brave enough to enter the belly of the beast and take flight to new adventures?

Like a Dandelion written and Illustrated by Huy Voun Lee

Like feathery seeds, a young girl and her mother take flight, putting down roots in an adopted country. Soon they blossom in their new home, strong and beautiful among hundreds of others just like them. . . A poetic tribute to the bravery of immigrants and refugees, inspired by the author’s childhood experience of moving to the United States from Cambodia.

Nonfiction

Until Someone Listens: a story about borders, family, and one girl’s mission written by Estela Juarez

The true story of Estela Juarez, a young American girl who writes letters to her local newspaper, to Congress, and even to the president, pleading for someone to listen and reunite her family after her mother’s deportation.

Bird Migration

Night Owl Night written by Susan Edwards Richmond

Sova’s mother studies owls and their migration patterns, and one late night, when Sova is old enough, she accompanies her mother to observe and tag saw-whet owls in the woods.

Feathers Together: inspired by a pair of real birds with an unbreakable bond written by Caron Levis

Stork friends Malena and Klepetan look forward to the next migration from Croatia to South Africa, but when Malena is injured and cannot join the flock, their time apart brings many challenges and big feelings, pushing them to stay connected and hope for a spring reunion.

The Gift of Gerbert’s Feathers written by Meaghann Weaver

Gerbert, a special young goose, prepares for his death by whispering words of power to his flight feathers and giving them to family and friends before his final migration.

Little Home Bird written and illustrated by Jo Empson

Little Bird loves everything about his home. He’s surrounded by his favorite branch, his favorite food, his favorite view and his favorite music. Why on earth would he want to change anything, even when his brother tells him that they must?  Discover how Little Bird ends up finding happiness in his new home from home in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Perfect for all children who love home, however many they may have.

The Flight of the Snow Geese written by Deborah King

Follows a flock of snow geese as they fly from their Arctic nesting ground to the New Mexico desert where they spend the winter.

Honk! Honk! Written by Mick Manning

A girl takes a journey with a wild goose and her flock as they migrate to their nesting grounds in the distant, snowy north.

Welcome, Brown Bird written by Mary Lyn Ray

While a boy in North America urges his father not to cut down the trees where the wood thrush lives, a boy in South America awaits the return of the bird that he calls “la flauta” for its flute-like song.

Nonfiction:

Migration written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons

Did you know Arctic terns migrate farther than any other animal? Gray whales can swim up to 12,000 miles during their migration journeys and Emperor penguins walk about 125 miles over ice to reach their nesting grounds.

Gail Gibbons explores the many reasons why animals migrate, using direct sentences, maps, infographics, and illustrations. Featuring over 30 different species of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and fishes, this nonfiction picture book is perfect for aspiring zookeepers and animal-lovers.

Migration: incredible animal journeys written by Mike Unwin

Every year, millions of animals of all shapes and sizes make epic journeys across our planet. Animals migrate because their environment changes. They travel to find food or give birth safely, often enduring harsh weather and dodging hungry predators. Emperor penguins trudge through snow, ice, and bitter temperatures to reach their breeding grounds. Great white sharks swim more than 6,000 miles in search of prey. African elephants trek through barren desert on their yearly hunt for water. Each species has its own story to tell.

Why do birds fly in a V: https://www.howweelearn.com/why-do-birds-fly-in-a-v/

PBS Kids migration challenge: https://pbskids.org/plumlanding/educators/activities/pdf/MigrationChallenge_FAA_Eng_Span.pdf

Migration art activity: https://www.thekeeperofthememories.com/preschool-safari-activities-migration-invitation-to-create-process-art-experience/