I love a good read-aloud (I’ve written about it often) and I am here to share some of my favorite December read alouds. I used picture books to teach concepts when I was in the classroom. Many books on this list can be used as more than just a fun read-aloud!
If you’re looking for read-aloud chapter books you’ll want to check out that post. This list contains picture books for any grade.
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Snow-Themed December Read Alouds
December read alouds wouldn’t be complete without exploring snowy adventures and winter landscapes that capture children’s imaginations. Snow-themed books transport young readers into magical scenes filled with snowflakes, animal tracks, and the cozy wonders of wintertime. These stories allow children to experience the beauty and mystery of snow-covered settings, whether they’re reading about playful snowmen, quiet snowfall, or wintertime adventures.
Snow Day! by Lester L. Laminack is a picture book about a predicted snowstorm. The children go to bed excited to have an upcoming snow day, but when they wake up and run to the window, they realize there is no snow! The best part of the book is the fun twist at the end.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs is a wordless picture book. It is a great book for inferencing. A fun activity to complete with this book is to have your students write a story to go along with the illustrations.
Blizzard by John Rocco is based on the author’s account of the blizzard of 1978. The story begins with Rocco’s excitement at the first snowflakes which turn to dread as the snow continues to pile up.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats Follow Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall. This classic story captures the simple joys of playing in fresh snow, making snow angels, and more. It also introduces children to themes of curiosity and discovery. This is a great book to put into your rotation for December read alouds.
Snow by Uri Shulevitz In a gray, dreary city, a young boy and his dog are the first to notice the magic of snowflakes. While others doubt, they watch as the snow transforms the town. A story about wonder, imagination, and belief.
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner Have you ever wondered what snowmen do when no one’s looking? This story imagines snowmen having nighttime adventures. Children will enjoy the playful illustrations and humor as they follow snowmen playing games and sipping hot cocoa.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen is a quiet, poetic story of a girl and her father who go “owling” on a snowy night. This book beautifully captures the bond between father and daughter and the awe of nature, with a setting that feels as magical as the snow-covered woods.
The Mitten by Jan Brett A young boy loses his mitten in the snow, which various forest animals, one by one, attempt to fit into. The story is humorous and engaging, with intricate illustrations that children will love to explore.
Snowflakes Fall by Patricia MacLachlan A gentle, hopeful book that celebrates the beauty of snowflakes and how they symbolize uniqueness. Inspired by the Sandy Hook tragedy, it speaks to resilience and joy, with beautiful illustrations of snow-covered landscapes.
Brave Irene by William Steig Irene, a young girl, braves a blizzard to deliver a gown for her mother, who is too sick to go. This story is a tale of courage, determination, and the power of kindness.
First Snow by Bomi Park A young girl wakes up to the first snow and sneaks outside to explore. With soft, dreamlike illustrations, this book captures the quiet beauty of snow and the excitement of a new season.
Red Sled by Lita Judge is a nearly wordless book that tells the story of animals borrowing a child’s sled for a wild nighttime adventure. With delightful illustrations, it emphasizes play and friendship in a wintry setting.
Hibernation Themed December Read Alouds
As winter approaches, December read alouds are a wonderful way to introduce children to the concept of hibernation and how animals prepare for the colder months. Hibernation-themed books allow students to follow bears, squirrels, and other creatures as they settle in for a long winter’s rest, offering a glimpse into the quiet cycles of nature. These stories bring both warmth and learning to the classroom, helping children understand how animals adapt to seasonal changes and stay cozy through winter.
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner is a fabulous book about what animals do in winter. It is the perfect December read-aloud for a science class! Teach your students about what goes on underneath the snow with this beautiful picture book. The vocabulary is fantastic as well.
Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story by Sean Taylor is another picture book about what animals do in the winter. It is a mix of fiction and nonfiction. The story is about a little boy who visits his grandmother and notes the change in animals and insects from the summer to the winter. The grandmother explains to him all about hibernation and how animals survive the winter. This book will be a favorite read-aloud in your classroom!
Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer is a story all about getting ready for the winter. It follows a fox who is not sure how to prepare for the coming snowfall. The fox asks the other animals how he should prepare and gets advice about how they prepare for winter. It is not until the end of the story that the fox meets another and learns what to do.
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson While Bear hibernates in his cozy cave, a group of woodland animals gather for a party. Despite the noise, Bear stays asleep…until he doesn’t! This rhyming book is both fun and informative, introducing hibernation with humor and charm.
Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep! by Maureen Wright Big Bear needs to hibernate, but he keeps misunderstanding Old Man Winter’s directions and ends up doing anything but sleeping. This funny story about miscommunication also reinforces the concept of hibernation.
A Bed for Winter by Karen Wallace This nonfiction book, part of the “Read and Wonder” series, follows a young dormouse searching for a safe place to sleep for the winter. It’s a simple, informative introduction to hibernation for young readers.
Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming In this delightful tale, various animals, including Bear, Tortoise, and Ladybug, realize it’s time to hibernate and help spread the word. The book introduces hibernation in a gentle, engaging way, perfect for a cozy read-aloud.
When Will It Be Spring? by Catherine Walters Little Alfie the bear is eager for spring and keeps waking his mother up to check. This sweet story captures a young bear’s impatience and curiosity while waiting out hibernation, with themes of patience and seasons.
Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows Animals of all kinds prepares for hibernation in a cozy train station setting. The rhyming text and cute illustrations make this a light-hearted take on the hibernation theme, with a fun and imaginative twist.
Don’t Wake Up the Bear! by Marjorie Dennis Murray While Bear hibernates, other animals find warmth and shelter beside him. They try to stay quiet, but eventually, the noise wakes him. This humorous story explores how animals share shelter in winter and the need for peace and quiet!
Sleep Tight Farm by Eugenie Doyle Though more focused on the farm than individual animals, this book shows how a farm is prepared for winter, introducing the concept of settling down for a long rest. It provides a broader view of hibernation and rest through winter.
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak While not solely about hibernation, this story of a seasonal transition follows a child observing animals and nature preparing for winter. It’s a gentle introduction to how the natural world gets ready for the colder months.
Even if you don’t add these books to your December read alouds they are great to add to the classroom library.
Holiday Themed December Read Alouds
December read alouds provide a perfect opportunity to introduce children to the joy and warmth of holiday stories from various traditions. Holiday-themed books help students learn about celebrations like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, allowing them to understand different cultural customs and find connections to their own lives. These stories bring holiday cheer, foster appreciation for diverse traditions, and spark conversations that embrace the season’s spirit of giving and togetherness.
How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace is part of the How to Catch A… series. This book is perfect for December because you can read the story to your students and then have them complete a STEM activity to accompany the book.
Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares is a book about two birds who make their nest in a tree. The tree is cut down for Christmas celebrations and the birds are separated. The story follows the birds as they make their way back to each other.
The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen is a story about a little girl who meets a reindeer who is lost in the forest. The illustrations in this book are beautiful!
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg On Christmas Eve, a young boy boards a magical train to the North Pole. The story beautifully captures the wonder and belief in the spirit of Christmas, with lush illustrations that transport readers on a magical journey.
Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat: A Chanukah Story by Naomi Howland This Hanukkah story follows Sadie and her brothers, who receive a magical frying pan that makes unlimited latkes. But things get tricky when the pan starts making too many latkes! It’s a humorous story about generosity and family.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel is a clever folktale retelling where Hershel outwits goblins who are determined to ruin Hanukkah. With its mix of humor and suspense, this story highlights Hanukkah traditions and the importance of courage.
Tree of Cranes by Allen Say Set in Japan, this story follows a young boy who experiences his first Christmas after his mother, who grew up in America, teaches him about the holiday. It’s a beautiful blend of cultures and a gentle introduction to Christmas traditions.
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola This Mexican folktale tells the story of a young girl named Lucida who brings a humble gift to her church’s nativity celebration, leading to the poinsettia becoming a traditional Christmas symbol. It’s a heartwarming story about love and giving.
Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington Li’l Rabbit wants to help his grandmother have a special Kwanzaa, and in his efforts, he ends up bringing the community together. This gentle introduction to Kwanzaa traditions and values celebrates family, community, and kindness.
Santa’s Kwanzaa by Garen Eileen Thomas Santa celebrates Kwanzaa with Mrs. Claus after Christmas, following all the Kwanzaa traditions and values. This fun, imaginative story introduces readers to Kwanzaa in a unique way while emphasizing cultural diversity.
Night Tree by Eve Bunting A family brings ornaments, popcorn, and food for the animals to decorate a tree in the forest every Christmas Eve. This gentle story highlights family traditions, kindness, and care for wildlife during the holidays.
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis Set in Ghana, this story follows seven quarrelsome brothers who must work together to create gold thread, embodying the Kwanzaa principle of unity. It’s a vibrant tale about cooperation, problem-solving, and family.
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto During Christmas, Maria and her family make tamales, but things go wrong when Maria accidentally loses her mother’s ring in the dough. A humorous and heartwarming story about family traditions, mistakes, and love.
Incorporating December read alouds into your classroom or home reading routine adds a special touch to the holiday season, introducing children to diverse holiday stories and the magic of wintertime. Whether you’re sharing laughs over holiday mishaps, exploring snowy landscapes, or discovering new traditions, these read alouds create a sense of community and joy that will leave lasting memories. So, gather around, grab a cozy blanket, and enjoy these December read alouds that bring warmth and light to this special season.
What are your favorite December read alouds? Tell me in the comments below!
