Winter books for pre-schoolers

published 2 January 2015

Get your kids excited about the snow with our selection of fun stories - perfect for under fives and older siblings will love them too

In case your kids weren't already excited enough about playing the snow, these fabulous bedtime books will really fire their imaginations while they wait for the weather to turn.

From classic stories like The Snowman by Raymond Briggs and The Snow Children by Sibylle Von Olfers to fun adventures with their favourite characters including Peppa Pig, Thomas and Friends and Charlie and Lola, there's bound to be a story every child will love in our round-up.

So if your kids got any book vouchers or money for Christmas, or you're a member of your local library, why not show them our selection and you can choose their next book together. Click next to get some inspiration from our favourite snow and winter-themed books to read with your child this year. What's your child's favourite book? Tell us in the comments below...

Thomas and Friends - The Snowy Surprise

Thomas, Percy and Harold the helicopter are trying to help the people of a small, mountaintop village who have been cut off by the snow. How will they get supplies to the villagers? Who will wind up being the hero of the day? And how will the people thank the trio for all their hard work?

Thomas and Friends - The Snowy Surprise, based on The Railway Series by the Rev W Awdry (Egmont, £2.99)

Buy Thomas and The Snowy Surprise now

That's Not My Snowman

Most kids have got at least one book from the 'That's Not My...' series on their bookshelf, so parents will be familiar with the format. Each snowman in the book has a touchy feely part to encourage babies to experience 'fuzzy', 'shiny' or 'scratchy' textures. Toddlers will still enjoy stroking the pages, but can also play hide and seek with the little white mouse that appears on every page.

That's Not My Snowman by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells (Usbourne, £5.99)

Buy That's Not My Snowman now

The Gruffalo's Child

'The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should

Ever set foot in the deep dark wood.'

In this, the second adventure of the world famous children's favourite, The Gruffalo, we see his daughter go off on her own, snowy adventure, looking for the infamous Big Bad Mouse. With a few wrong turns along the way, she follows tracks in the snow and finally meets her father's arch enemy, sitting on the branch of a hazel tree. Or so she thinks...

The Gruffalo's Child - Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (Macmillan, £6.99)

Buy The Gruffalo's Child now

Peppa Pig - Snowy Fun

Kids' favourite pig, Peppa, and her little brother George simply love the snow. And what's the best thing to do when it's snowing? Build a snowman of course! It might not quite beat jumping in muddy puddles, but it comes a pretty close second. This book has all the charm of Peppa's other tales and your children will share in her excitement about all the fun that can be had during the winter months.

Peppa Pig - Peppa's Snowy Fun (Ladybird, £4.99)

Buy Peppa's Snowy Fun now

The Snow Dragon

This is a captivating story about the courage of the last Snow Dragon who sets out to save the world from a power-hungry Fire Dragon on his mission to to burn down everything in his path to world domination.

Pre-schoolers and their older siblings will love the gripping story and colourful characters.

The illustrations make this book one your kids will remember forever and a story you'll be pleased they picked up off the shelf at bedtime.

The Snow Dragon by Vivian French (Corgi, £6.99)

Buy The Snow Dragon now

The Snow Children

This is a great story to get children thinking about snow in a totally different way. As Poppy gazes out of her window at the falling flakes, she makes a magical discovery. The flakes are actually children. Snow Children. They take her on an amazing adventure to The Snow Queen's kingdom.

Kids will ask for this story again and again - one sure to become a firm favourite.

The Snow Children by Sibylle Von Olfers (Floris Books, £5.99)

Buy The Snow Children now

The Snowman

If your little ones watched and enjoyed The Snowman cartoon ('we're walking in the aaair!', you know the one) over Christmas, then they'll love the book.

This version isn't wordless like Raymond Briggs' original, which makes it a little easier for tired mums and dads. It still contains the same beautiful illustrations, though, so none of the magic of James's adventures are lost. There's also a CD, which is great to keep kids entertained in the car.

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs (Puffin, £7.99)

Buy The Snowman now

Mr Snow

Mr Snow is a very special snowman. He's been magically brought to life by a very special someone, who needs his help.

Your little ones will love this seasonal addition to the Mr Men and Little Miss collection. But don't expect to see any more adventures from Mr Snow, as after he's completed his task, he gets returned to his normal snowman state. (You may want to warn sensitive souls about the ending!)

Mr Snow by Roger Hargreaves (Egmont, £2.50)

Buy Mr Snow now

Dora Saves the Snow Princess

A typically action-packed Dora adventure which sees her travel across oceans (encountering pirates on the way) and through caves in an attempt to save the Snow Princess from a tower.

It's an easy story for little ones to follow with lots of simple interaction, copying Dora's movements as she comes to the rescue.

Dora Saves the Snow Princess by Phoebe Beinstein (Simon Spotlight, £2.50)

Buy Dora Saves the Snow Princess now

Charlie and Lola - I Completely Love Winter

This Charlie and Lola book has two fabulous wintery tales in it. Great for snuggling up with on the sofa when it's cold outside and the kids are getting bored at home. Lola takes her usual positive spin on things and embraces snow and ice skating as two brilliant things about the coldest season.

A great choice for kids who aren't so keen on inclement weather!

Charlie and Lola - I Completely Love Winter (Penguin, £7.99)

Buy I Completely Love Winter now

Where to next?