There is something completely magical about snowmen, and these snowman books for preschool all tap into that! They also teach important lessons and will capture your students’ attention for sure! Check out this great list of 10 snowman books for preschool.
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10 Snowman Books For Preschoolers
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs is a beautiful, wordless picture book. The story is about a little boy who builds a snowman and, after he is called in for the night, keeps checking to make sure the snowman is still out in his yard. After going to bed, he tosses and turns, unable to sleep, and then the magic happens, and the snowman comes to life. The little boy and the snowman explore the little boy’s house, and then the snowman takes him to explore his magical world. When I originally read this with my kids, I got a little worried knowing how the story ended with the snowman melting in the front yard; I was anxious to see how my kids would react. My son said ” That’s what snowmen do, they melt. Just the way it is.” Since that first reading, having shared this with many students, it’s always a hit!
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn and Mark Buehner, I absolutely love this book! The author envisions a world where snowmen come to life and party at night while we sleep, so they always look slightly different in the morning. I remember my son looking at me and asking, ‘That’s not really true, is it?’ when we read it a few years ago. I adore the whimsical illustrations with fun points of view that make the reader feel like they are in on a real secret. This is one of my favorite snowman books for preschoolers.
Snowmen At Work by Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner is a fantastic book about the lives of snowmen and all their jobs while we humans sleep. They drive trucks, stock grocery shelves, fix other snowmen’s teeth… everything we do, they do, too. My students love the parts of the story when we visit a snow grocery store and a pet store. They both offer teachers a chance to talk about pets and food and involve their students by asking questions. Of course, with a class full of 3-year-olds, the page with the fire truck was a hit, too! This book is fun and straightforward, and even though it’s longer than some, I’d use it for circle time. It’s so engaging that it works even with very young preschoolers.
The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll is a cute winter book with a fantastic message. The book tells the story of a snowman making contest in Mouseville, two little mice work so hard by themselves but it’s just not enough until they join forces. Competition is not a bad thing but sometimes cooperation is even better, I really like this book.
Snowbaby Could Not Sleep by Kara LaReau.This is a heartwarming winter story about a little Snowbaby who finds it difficult to sleep. Despite counting snowflakes and getting extra snow from his Snowmama, he still struggles to fall asleep. However, his parents make him his very own Snowpuppy to snuggle with, and that finally gives him enough comfort to doze off. I love reading gentle books like this because, as a child, I used to have terrible nighttime anxiety and it’s something so many of our students deal with.
A Really Good Snowman by Daniel J. Mahoney plucked my heartstrings and then some. This is a story about a big brother and his annoying little sister. He often tries to avoid her, but when they both end up at a snowman-building competition, he leaves her on her own to hang out with his friends. However, when he sees some bullies teasing his sister, he stands up for her and decides to help her build a snowman. The story strikes a balance between being sweet and realistic, and the illustrations of snowmen are delightful and funny. My personal favorite is the Elvis snowman!
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel is a must-have. I love how it goes over all the different winter clothing items, and while some teachers get frustrated that some of the items aren’t called the same things you may call them, I think that’s a great lesson. I love the images in the rebus, which allows nonreaders to get engaged and “read” along with you. This is such a real useful addition to this list of snowman books for preschool. If you are a younger teacher, you may even remember this from your childhood! I remember the first time I read it, it was with the kids I babysat when I was in highschool!
Snowman in Paradise by Michael Roberts is a genius. I have to say, I rarely come across a book that I love so much that I want to keep it instead of returning it to the library. But this book is one of those exceptions! It’s about a snowman from Manhattan who’s feeling down after Christmas and decides he wants to go on vacation. A magical bluebird grants his wish, and he can fly first class to a tropical island. The only rule is that he must return in time for Christmas next year. The book is written in the style of the traditional “Night Before Christmas” poem, but the rhymes are unique, and my favorite is:
In May after splashing with buckets of paint, He threw down his brush, saying, “Gauguin I ain’t.”
Even though some of the references might be more for adults reading it than children listening, all parties will finish the book with a smile on their faces and want to start reading it all over again. I highly recommend it – go grab a copy and see for yourself!
Sneezy The Snowman by Maureen Wright Sneezy the Snowman is freezing and wants to warm up. But we all know what happens when snowmen warm up… he melts! This doesn’t stop Sneezy because he’s too cold. He tried so many ways to warm up and melts ( almost) every time. Eventually, the children figure out how to get him just warm enough without melting. This silly book is such a fun group read; students absolutely love it, and it’s a wonderful book to read as you learn about the effects of heat on ice and snow.
Snow Party by Harriet Ziefert is a magical book celebrating the biggest holiday for snow people, the winter solstice. I wish I had had access to this book when I was teaching because it’s a perfect way to read a story about celebrations without focusing on one tradition or leaving out another. The illustrations are beautiful, and the idea of snow people eating and dancing in the middle of the night is delicious!
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