Not sure what to read for the Winter Reading Challenge? We have recommendations for all categories, and all ages! Pick up a Winter Reading bingo sheet at the library. Check out our young adult, youth, and adult recommendations!
All the books listed here are available at the library. Stop in, give us a call, or use the online catalog to place a hold and check one out. All book descriptions are provided by librarians here at the library, the publisher on the back of the book, on Goodreads, or through the library catalog.
Read a book that was recommended by someone.
Bear Goes Sugaring by Maxwell Eaton III: This book is recommended by Brea, our Youth Librarian. Brea is a big believer that picture books aren’t just for kids, and this book is a perfect example of a picture book that will delight and inform readers of all ages! While on the surface this may seem like a silly story about talking animals, it is chock full of scientific information about the process of making maple syrup. Who knew learning about science could be so fun!
We Are the Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom: This book is recommended by Brea, our Youth Librarian. Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade’s beautiful watercolor illustrations are a perfect accompaniment for this powerful story about the importance of caring for our planet.
Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption–a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade. Available on Libby (audio) and Hoopla (audio)
When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth
And poison her people’s water, one young water protector
Takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource.
Nanette’s Baguette by Mo Willems: This book is recommended by Kaitlin, our Programming Assistant. She is a big fan of Mo Willems’ books, especially this silly rhyming story!
Mo Willems’ hilarious new picture book, Nanette’s Baguette, follows our plucky heroine on her first big solo trip to the bakery. But . . . will Nanette get the baguette from baker Juliette? Or will Nanette soon be beset with regret? Set in a meticulously handcrafted-paper-modeled French village, the uniquely vibrant laugh-out-loud world of Nanette’s Baguette may be Mo’s best creation yet. Get set to krack into an irresistible tale you won’t soon forget! Available on Hoopla (audio)
Read a book about a character who doesn’t look or live like you.
Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw: Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles’ growth. As a result, his body hasn’t grown bigger and stronger as he’s gotten older–it’s gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn’t stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed.
Say Hello by Rachel Isadora: Carmelita loves to greet everyone in her colorful neighborhood. There are people from so many different cultures! They all like to say hello too, so now Carmelita can say hello in Spanish, English, French, Japanese, and many other languages. And her dog, Manny? Well, he seems to understand everyone, and gives a happy “Woof!” wherever he goes. Emphasizing the rich diversity of America’s neighborhoods, this simple portrait of a child’s day provides a great introduction to the joy of language.
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold: Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yamulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other’s traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year. All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book)
Read a book written in verse.
Sally Go Round the Stars: Favorite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood by Sarah Webb and Claire Ranson: A major, beautifully-illustrated collection of favorite nursery rhymes known and loved throughout Ireland. It includes favorite international, British and Irish rhymes as well as special Irish favorites.
Science Verse by Jon Scieszka: What if a boring lesson about the food chain becomes a sing-along about predators and prey? A twinkle-twinkle little star transforms into a twinkle-less, sunshine-eating-and rhyming Black Hole? What if amoebas, combustion, metamorphosis, viruses, the creation of the universe are all irresistible, laugh-out-loud poetry? Well, you’re thinking in science verse, that’s what. And if you can’t stop the rhymes … the atomic joke is on you. Only the amazing talents of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, the team who created Math Curse, could make science so much fun.
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems by Marilyn Singer: What’s brewing when two favorites—poetry and fairy tales—are turned (literally) on their heads? It’s a revolutionary recipe: an infectious new genre of poetry and a lovably modern take on classic stories. First, read the poems forward (how old-fashioned!), then reverse the lines and read again to give familiar tales, from Sleeping Beauty to that Charming Prince, a delicious new spin. Witty, irreverent, and warm, this gorgeously illustrated and utterly unique offering holds a mirror up to language and fairy tales, and renews the fun and magic of both. Available on Hoopla (audio)
Read a food-related book, or check out a cookbook and try a recipe.
What’s Your Favorite Food by Eric Carle & Friends: Everybody has a favorite food. Some enjoy sweet treats like rich honey or ripe, juicy berries. Others prefer the savory comforts of warming matzo ball soup or creamy chicken Alfredo. With beautiful illustrations and charming personal stories, fourteen children’s book artists share their favorite foods and why they love them.
Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard: Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Hoopla (audio/read-along)
Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora: Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu’s delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself? Debut author-illustrator Oge Mora brings a heartwarming story of sharing and community to life in colorful cut-paper designs as luscious as Omu’s stew, with an extra serving of love. Available on Hoopla (audio)
Read a book involving a winter holiday.
A Dragon for Hanukkah by Sarah Mlynowski: Come celebrate the Festival of Lights with Rachel as she receives eight magical presents–one for each night. There’s a playful dragon, a gleaming treasure chest, some rowdy unicorns, a book that sends her back in time…and more. But are the gifts what they seem to be? When Rachel gathers with family and friends to light the menorah, she’ll discover the true magic of Hanukkah. From New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski comes this enchanting, playful, and richly imagined story that is destined to become a new holiday classic. Available on Boundless (e-book)
Wish Soup: A Celebration of Soellal by Junghwa Park: Sohee’s favorite part of Seollal is tteokguk—the special Korean rice cake soup traditionally only enjoyed on New Year’s Day. Each bowl is said to make the person who eats it one year older. This year, Sohee wants to eat as many bowls as she can to finally be an eonni, or “big girl,” to her younger siblings and cousins. Before Sohee can even get to her first bowl, though, she’s interrupted by a series of holiday-related chores, leaving plenty of opportunity for her mischievous younger sister Somi to eat not only Sohee’s tteokguk, but their whole family’s! Despite this outrageously silly setback, Sohee eventually learns that being a big girl is more than just how many bowls of tteokguk you eat. This funny story of a child’s journey to discover what it really means to be a big girl explores the traditions of Korean Lunar New Year and the value of family and helpfulness
We Celebrate the Light by Jane Yolen: Diwali, Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, and Lunar New Year are visually depicted in turn, accompanying a stunning, read-aloud text that speaks of the traditions that link them all together. The warm yet accurate imagery is explained in simple secondary text on each spread, and further in the backmatter. Beloved author Jane Yolen and daughter, author Heidi Stemple, have crafted a loving and poignant story with true reverence for our shared traditions of celebrating light, love, food, and family. An empowering, informative, and inclusive holiday book for families of all traditions.
Read a book that makes you feel cozy.
This Table by Alex Killian: This moving picture book traces a table and its from a seed to a tree to a treasured object in a home. Strong and stable through the years, the table becomes a space for birthday parties and science projects, and meals big and small. With captivating text and lush illustrations, This Table will inspire conversations about the everyday, ordinary objects in our lives, and their role in creating lifelong memories. Available on Hoopla (e-book)
Sweater Weather by Matt Phelan: The air is crisp, and the leaves are bright—it’s the perfect autumn day to enjoy the outdoors. Papa Bear instructs his cubs to put on their sweaters, and patiently waits downstairs. When he checks on them, he learns that getting ready is no simple task. But even if this lovable bear family misses out on their planned outing, the evening sky still holds a beautiful surprise.
Down in the Woods at Sleepytime by Carole Lexa Schaefer: It’s sleepytime down in the woods, but not one of the baby animals is ready to go to bed. The bear cubs want to play, the little hedgehogs are hungry, the bunnies are peek-a-booing, the toadlets are singing—and their mamas are at their wits’ end! Will Grandma Owl finally find a way to settle everyone down to sleep? Carole Lexa Schaefer’s delightful wordplay and Vanessa Cabban’s winsome illustrations evoke a playful woodland world where tots of all types try to elude bedtime—until wise Grandma Owl affirms with a story that the time is right to say goodnight.
Read a book that got made into a movie or TV show.
The Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg: A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole…Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a barren desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the huge city standing alone at the top of the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. For millions of readers around the world, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved Christmas classic. Available on Libby (e-book) and Hoopla (e-book)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett: The tiny town of Chewandswallow was very much like any other tiny town—except for its weather which came three times a day, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But it never rained rain and it never snowed snow and it never blew just wind. It rained things like soup and juice. It snowed things like mashed potatoes. And sometimes the wind blew in storms of hamburgers. Life for the townspeople was delicious until the weather took a turn for the worse. The food got larger and larger and so did the portions. Chewandswallow was plagued by damaging floods and storms of huge food. The town was a mess and the people feared for their lives. Something had to be done, and in a hurry. Available on Hoopla (audio)
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans: Nothing frightens Madeline—not tigers, not even mice. With its endearing, courageous heroine, cheerful humor, and wonderful, whimsical drawings of Paris, the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers, even after 75 years! Available on Libby (audio) and Hoopla (TV show)
Read something from the new shelves.
The Snow Thief by Alice Hemming: Squirrel and Bird are back, and this time it’s winter! But squirrel has never seen snow before. Will he like it? You bet he will! Except, just as Squirrel starts to get used to the snow, it disappears. Is there a snow thief on the loose?
With vibrant art and captivating characters, the magic of winter is captured beautifully on each page as readers tag along Squirrel’s forest adventure. Is there truly a snow thief on the loose, or is something else going on in Squirrel’s forest? A perfect exploration of change—both seasonal, and the anxiety that change sometimes causes. Available on Boundless (e-book), Libby (e-book), and Hoopla (e-book)
Belong by Mary Rand Hess: A joyful picture book from a New York Times bestselling duo that celebrates inclusion and reassures children that in good times and bad they always matter—they always belong. In this warm, uplifting story, a new kid in town finds the courage to carve their own path, one that leads to a celebration of friendship and being yourself.
Vamos! Let’s Go Read by Raul the Third: Little Lobo and his friends are excited for the out-of-this-world book festival the Guadalupian Library hosts every year! Everyone has a special book they’re looking for, but there’s so much to see and do first. From cookbook demonstrations and comics workshops to mask making and language classes, this library has something for everyone. Can Little Lobo, Bernabé, Kooky Dooky, Coco Rocho, and La Chida each find the book of their dreams? Full of easy-to-remember Spanish vocabulary and packed with fun details, this colorful celebration of books, libraries, and all forms of reading will bring joy to young bookworms everywhere!