Books about snowmen for kids

What’s the best part about a snow day? Building a snowman, of course!

I’ve compiled a list of more than 20 awesome books about snowmen for you to share with your children. Use these books to dream about snowman adventures or gather some inspiration for the next snowman you build.

Note: For more winter learning resources, see my Winter Activities for Kids page. 

Snowzilla by Janet Lawler

This story about two siblings who make a giant snowman that creates chaos throughout town is told in rhyme. The people protest and the judge says Snowzilla must come down. It takes some clever problem solving to save Snowzilla and restore happiness to the town. Ages 4 to 8.

Snow Dude by Daniel Kirk

Two children are building a snow dude when he suddenly comes to life! The snow dude takes off running all around the neighborhood. All along the way, he passes people who invite him to live with them or work with him, but his answer is always the same: “I’m a snow dude, as wild as can be. Run as fast as you can run – you won’t catch up with me!” Soon, everyone is building their own snow dudes who play in the park as happy as can be. This richly illustrated book is perfect for children ages 3 to 8.

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow! by Lucille Colandro

Children familiar with the well-loved story about the old lady who swallowed a fly will get a kick out of this winter-time take on the story. Here we meet a cold lady who swallowed some snow, then a pipe (the smoking kind) to warm her toes, then some coal to keep the pipe glowing, then a hat to prevent it from freezing, and so on. The last pages will bring children to laughter as the cold lady hiccups and spits everything out into the form of a perfect snowman! Ages 4 to 8.

Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy by Carl R. Sams

It is a snowy day in the woods when the birds suddenly notice a stranger. Word spreads quickly to all the animals, who have many questions about this stranger. Who is he? When did he arrive? And most importantly, who will approach him to see what he wants? Eventually, a buck and a cardinal approach the stranger, who we now know to be a snowman with a carrot nose. The cardinal finds nuts and seeds on the snowman’s red cap. The buck finds corn buried in the snow at the snowman’s feet. And a young doe pulls out his carrot nose to eat it.

Soon the reader realizes that a sibling pair has been watching everything from behind some bushes where the animals did not see them. But what do the siblings have planned now that the animals have left the snowman? This book is beautifully illustrated with actual photographs of the animals and snowman, making the story even more delightful. Ages 4-8.

Sam the Snowman by Susan Winget

In this story, it is snowmen who make it snow using “the magic of giving.” All the little snowchildren can do it easily, but Sam struggles to make even one small snowflake. Nonetheless, his teacher asks him to create the first snow for the children of Countryville. Sam tries and tries, but cannot do it. He feels defeated. Some children comfort him and cheer him up. Their kindness makes Sam feel so wonderful he decides to try making snow one more time. . . and this time it works! Ages 4 to 8.

All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle

“One small snowflake fluttering down– That’s all you need for a snowman.” Or is it? In this simple yet delightful tale, a group of children first build a snowman. . . and then a friend for their snowman. I can easily picture young listeners giggling with joy every time the book says, “That’s all you need for a snowman. . . EXCEPT. . . ” and then continues with something new. Ages 4 to 7.

All About Snowmen by Kathryn Clay

This easy-to-read non-fiction book provides directions for building a snowman. It features real photographs of children building different snowmen. The back of the book includes a glossary of terms. Ages 4 to 7.

Snowman’s Story by Will Hillenbrand

One wintry day a snowman comes to life. He soon reads a story to his animal friends, but rabbit takes his book! Snowman and the other animals follow rabbit over a log bridge and through the snow until they reach a home. . . where rabbit is inside reading the book to her children. This wordless picture book will delight children ages 2 to 7.

Making a Friend by Alison McGhee

This is a sweet tale about a young boy enjoying the first snow of winter by making a snowman. As the seasons change, however, the snowman melts. The boy wonders where the snowman went, and realizes that his snowman is in the fog in the hollow and the frost on the window. He learns that “what you love with always be with you.” Ages 4 to 8.

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

What do snowmen do all night when no one is watching? If you’ve ever wondered, this book tells all. From ice skating to baseball to the world’s best snowball fights, snowmen certainly aren’t just sleeping at night! After you’ve read the book once with your kids, go through the pages again and look for the hidden images including a rabbit, a Santa face, and a dinosaur. Ages 4 to 8.

Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner

This is a follow up book to Snowmen At Night in what has become a popular Snowmen series of books. In this story, children get to imagine what they would do if a snowman stayed with them all year long. Would they teach the snowman to fly a kite? Go to the zoo? Play board games? Ages 4 to 8.

The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming

This delightful book takes its cue from the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The twist in this book, however, is that on each day a snowman is being built with the items given by his “best friend.” Thus, on the first day of winter the snowman receives a red cap with a gold snap. On the second day of winter the snowman receives 2 bright blue mittens. This continues until the snowman is complete. Ages 4 to 7.

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

This is a wordless book that nonetheless tells a detailed story through the 175 illustrations that grace its pages. In this story, a young boy builds a snowman outside his front door. Sometime during the night, he wakes up to check on it and discovers it has come to life! He invites the snowman into his house and begins to show the snowman how all sorts of modern conveniences work. For example, he introduces the snowman to TV, running water, the stove, ice cubes, and electric lights. The snowman, having never experience these things before, is delighted with all the new discoveries he makes. To show his gratitude, the snowman takes the boy outside and they fly off into the sky on a brief adventure. But eventually, the boy and snowman must return home. The snowman goes back to his spot in the front yard, and the boy returns to his bed until morning. When the boy wakes up the next morning, he runs outside to check on his snowman friend. Young readers will be intrigued by what the boy finds! Ages 5 to 8.

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

Some children have been saving some supplies in a bag, waiting for just the right snow day. Then finally it arrives, and they make three large balls of snow to create a snow dad. Then they add a snow mom. And an entire snow family with pets and all. But when the sun comes out, snow dad starts shrinking and snow mom turns to mush. Eventually the whole snow family disappears. This book featuring eye catching multi-media artwork will be enjoyed by children ages 2 to 7.

The Biggest, Best Snowman by Margery Cuyler

Little Nell is the smallest in her family, and she never gets to do anything to help out. One day she wanders into the woods to play with the animals. Her animal friends ask her to build a snowman. Nell tells them she is too small and can’t do it. But they encourage her to try. With help from her animal friends, Nell builds the biggest, best snowman ever. This book will be enjoyed by all children who have ever been told they are too young or too small to something. Ages 4 to 8.

The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll

One day the mayor of Mouseville announces a town snowman competition. Clayton and his friend Desmond both decide to make the biggest snowman ever. They both work separately on their snowmen, making them as big as they can. But when they finish, they realize their snowmen are just the same size as every other snowman. However, when the two boys decide to join forces rather than compete against each other, they are able to use their collective efforts to truly build the biggest snowman ever. Ages 4 to 7.

Snowie Rolie by William Joyce

Rolie Polie Olie lives in a land where it never snows because there is too much sun. . .until one day the sun disappears and snow finally falls. So Olie and his friends build a snowman named Mr. Snowie. But then the sun comes back, and Mr. Snowie starts to melt. So Olie and his friends must come up with a clever idea to keep Mr. Snowie cool. Ages 4 to 7.

The Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg

A young boy is walking through the snowy woods one day when he realizes he’s lost his mitten. He searches all over, chasing many false leads, but to no avail. The mitten is lost. Finally, he must go inside because it starts to rain. Then the family looks out the window and notices how the rain is melting the snowman. And that is when everyone notices the heart on the snowman – made from the boy’s red mitten that somehow got stuck inside! Ages 4 to 7.

Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright

Sneezy the snowman feels cold, and tells the children he needs a drink to warm him up. But when he drinks the delicious mug of hot cocoa, he melts! So the children build him up again, and add some clothes to keep him warm. Yet Sneezy still feels cold, and decides to get in a hot tub. Of course, he melts again, so the kids have to build him again. Over and over Sneezy still feels cold, until finally the kids find a solution involving lots of clothing and lots of ice cream that makes Sneezy feel just right. Ages 4 to 7.

Snow Party by Harriet Ziefert

What happens when the first snow falls on the first day of winter? The snow people have a party, of course! They come from near and far, carrying bags and boxes, to a clearing filled with snow. They sweep the pond, hang lights, and set up tables. And with music playing, they celebrate with food and dancing. And at the end of the evening they all go back to where they came from, and no one would ever know the snow people had been there. Ages 4 to 7.

More winter resources

More snowman posts from Gift of Curiosity:

• Puffy paint snowman craft
• Plastic bottle snowman craft
• Sticky paper snowman craft
• Cotton ball snowman craft
• Shredded paper snowman craft
• Snowman do-a-dot printables
• Color the snowman buttons activity

You’ll find more resources for winter learning and fun on my Winter Activities for Kids page and my Winter Activities for Kids Pinterest board.