Animals in Winter

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How do animals cope when temperatures drop and sunlight hours decrease in winter?

This collection of books about animals in winter will teach children all the different ways animals get through the winter, from migrating to storing extra food to developing a thicker coat to hibernating until spring.

Note: For more winter printables and activities, see my Winter Activities for Kids page.

10+ children's books about animals in winter || Gift of Curiosity

Under the Snow by Melissa Stewart

This book is all about the hidden world that lies underneath the snow, a hidden world that humans are rarely privy to. A world where dozens of ladybugs huddle together as they sleep through the winter. A world where snakes stay in holes and barely move. A world where voles spend their days tunneling through the snow to find tree bark to eat. This book is a simple and wonderful introduction to the various ways that animals survive the long and cold winter months. Ages 5 to 8.

Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft

Animals have different approaches to dealing with winter. Some animals, like the monarch butterfly, migrate south for the winter. Woodchucks, however, stay put and hibernate in their dens. This book explains all the things different animals do to survive winter, and includes some simple ideas children can do to help animals in winter. Ages 3 to 6.

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons by Il Sung Na

This cheerful book explains in simple language the different ways that animals deal with winter. Some travel far, some gather extra food, some grow thick coats, and some hibernate. Ages 2 to 5.

Who is Sleeping? by Karen Sapp

“During winter’s ice and snow, who is sleeping? Do you know?” So begins this adorable little book showing children many different ways that animals hibernate through the winter. In caves, in dens, and beneath logs, lots of animals go to sleep for the winter. Ages 2 to 5.

A Bed for Winter by Karen Wallace

This book describes the various nests, dens, and other “beds” that different animals build to get them through the winter. The book features real photographs which really bring the animals to life. Ages 5 to 8.

When Winter Comes by Pearl Neuman

Did you know that some hibernating animals sleep all winter like, while others actually wake up from time to time in order to eat? Kids will learn all about this as well as how some animals adapt to the cold while other migrate for warmer temperatures. Ages 4 to 8.

All About Animals in Winter by Martha E. H. Rustad

This book features full-color photographs of real animals along with a short description of what the animal does to survive the winter. Ages 3 to 6.

Winter Lullaby by Barbara Seuling

This book is formatted as a series of questions about changing seasons followed by answers about how the animals cope. “When the ground turns too cold to sleep on at night, where do the snakes go?” asks one page, followed by the answer on the next. The stunning illustrations will delight children and adults alike. Ages 3 to 7.

Time to Sleep by Denise Flemming

Winter is coming, and all the animals are letting each other know that it is time to sleep. Bear tells Snail, Snail tells Skunk, Skunk tells Turtle, and so on until Ladybug decides to tell Bear. Of course, Bear is already asleep for the winter, so Ladybug has to apologize for disturbing him. Ages 3 to 6.

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

Bear has gone to sleep for the winter. All around him are noises – the howling of the wind, the pitter-patter of tiny mouse feet, the crackling of a fire – but bear snores on. But when a small speck of pepper hits Bear’s nose, he gives a big sneeze and wakes up! At first Bear is sad to realize that his friends have been having fun while he has been sleeping, but his friends soon cheer him up before falling to sleep themselves. Ages 3 to 6.

Chaucer’s First Winter by Stephen Krensky

Chaucer is a curious young bear. As winter approaches, his friends tell him they will miss him when he hibernates for the winter. But Chaucer doesn’t want to go to sleep. He wants to see what winter is all about. Young children will love to see what happens next! Ages 3 to 6.

William’s Winter Nap by Linda Ashman

William is a young boy just settling into bed on a cold winter’s night, when suddenly there’s a tap at his window. A small animal has lost its way and is looking for a place to stay. William invites the little animal into his bed. Eventually several other animals come and they all pile into William’s bed. William wishes his animal friends a good sleep and tells them he will see them in the spring. Ages 3 to 6.

More resources for winter learning and fun

More winter posts from Gift of Curiosity:

For more wintertime fun, see my Winter Activities for Kids page and my Winter Activities Pinterest Board.

More resources for winter learning and fun

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