December 20, 2025 By Maria
It is cold! I walked our dog one morning with my scarf up to my eyes, my hat down to my eyebrows and my head bent to the bone chilling wind. I let him lead me down the familiar streets. He’s pretty good at finding the way home and we both wanted to get there as quickly as possible.
Walking the dog every day, which is a necessity, has also helped me adjust to the cold. I have no choice, but to go out. Winter may not officially start until December 21st, but it felt like it was banging at the door for the past couple weeks. When winter is on the brink of arrival, I usually take a bit to adjust to the cold weather. My initial reaction is to want to hibernate or at least stay inside with blankets, sweaters and hot tea. In spite of my dislike of feeling cold, there are lots of things I enjoy about winter, especially the snow.
We had our first snow of the season this past weekend and it was spectacular. Unfortunately, it came with a power outage and a totally crazy day, but it was beautiful and loved by the kids and puppy alike. I didn’t have an opportunity to hide inside with all the shoveling and errands.
When I am hiding in the house preparing to embrace the new season I always reach for a couple of familiar books at the library. Reading these books are some of my favorite early winter cozy activities.
Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston is a beautifully illustrated book I first found at the library when my oldest son was a couple of years old. Jim LaMarche’s artwork takes us through the slow change from the last days of fall to early winter. The book follows a young girl who goes each day to her favorite lookout near the woods behind her home. She watches and draws the animals as she observes their behavior as they prepare for winter. It reminds me a bit of when I was a kid and would play and watch nature near the small, wooded area behind our house. I love sharing in the girl’s quiet observation. The last time we read it, my daughter and I were both wishing we could sit somewhere to watch and draw the animals like the girl in the story.
In another story, Sleep Tight Farm, by Eugenia Doyle, a family prepares their farm for winter as they think about their spring and summer. Becca Stadtlander’s illustrations are beautiful and the farm landscape pictures remind me of the American artist Grandma Moses’ folk art farm landscapes. It’s cozy and peaceful seeing all the ways the farm is readying for a long winter nap.
The author actually lives on and operates a farm in Vermont where she also writes to local school children about farm life over winter and in spring invites the class for a farm field trip. This book is a beautiful reminder of our connection to and dependency on the land and what it provides for us.
Providing winter comfort, warm food and Christmas magic feels like a full-time job as a parent in winter. I love finding little ways for us to find joy when winter comes. Sometimes it’s reading together or a cup of hot cocoa after playing outside in the cold. Other times it’s blankets and cuddles on the couch or making a hot meal when I’m already exhausted. I’m not a fan of the bitter cold, but I do love the coziness of winter.
More Bookshelves Please 