March 16, 2026 By Maria
Of the many ways I keep warm in the cold, sweaters and hot tea are my favorites. The next favorite isn’t exactly logical, but it is delightful: cozy books. Books that make me feel warm inside like a comforting hug, fill this category.
One of my favorite cozy picture books I read over the winter was Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest by Phoebe Wahl. I don’t know what it is exactly about this tiny “witch” who lives in a moss-covered tree stump in the woods, but reading this book feels like a toasty blanket and warm drink during a rainstorm. Hazel is a minute figure who goes about her simple life throughout the seasons in the forest. During the spring she brings an orphan egg home to tend. An owlet hatches from the egg and quickly grows too large for her small house and finally flies off to join other owls one evening. My kids were sad when this happened, but they were so happy for Otis’ surprise return before the end of the book. As the seasons progress, we learn more about Hazel and her simple and comforting life.
During the summer Hazel learns a lesson on relaxing, letting go, and being in the moment. When she finally decides to enjoy the day, wonders await her. In Autumn, Hazel plays detective and overcomes her fear while solving a mystery for her forest friends. When winter comes, Hazel works hard tending to the ill creatures of the forest. Thankfully, a friend is nearby when Hazel is in desperate need of care herself.
Maybe it is the caring community Hazel is surrounded by that makes this book so warm and cozy. It could also be the watercolor illustrations and the tiny creatures that fill the pages. The book is imaginative and a pleasure to read. When we last borrowed it from the library, I read it to my kids first and then I read it again once or twice with a cup of tea in hand and a cozy blanket draped over me and a private smile on my face as I enjoyed the warmth of Hazel’s forest life.
More Bookshelves Please 