This year, our young people have had to deal with events that are unique to say the least. Winter break is a great time to recharge and refresh, while anticipating the new year with new challenges to navigate. For those who may need to be isolated for an extended period of time, books are a wonderful way to “escape reality” for a moment. Check out a few books from the list below, cosy up with a favourite blanket, and take a break from the world.

(Note: Ages are recommendations only – no hard and fast rules here for reading adventures!)

Ages 4 to 10

• Winter is Here! by Kevin Henkes

This picture book celebrates the sights, sounds, and smells of the winter season.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

In January of this year, the New York Public Library revealed that this was the most circulated book in its 125-year history.

• Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright

Sneezy the Snowman needs help getting himself together!

• There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow by Lucille Collandro

Not only does she swallow snow, but some other strange objects get gobbled up!

• Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

This story offers a peek into the secret life of snowmen and their nighttime activities.

• The Snow Globe Family by Jane O’Connor

This family is waiting for a “shake up” to experience the joys of winter.

• Spaghetti with the Yeti by Adam and Charlotte Guillain

George is on an adventure to track the mysterious yeti and his journey is an extraordinary one!

• Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

Tacky is an odd one but his unique qualities may just be what his fellow penguins need.

• The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino

Kids of all ages can explore the science of snow and investigate what makes each different.

• Mice Skating by Annie Silvestro

Lucy the mouse is determined to show her friends how wonderful the snowy winter is.

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

This is a beautiful story of a father taking his daughter owling on a cold, wintry night.

• Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

Mr. Popper and his family attempt to raise and care for a troop of penguins, leading to quite a few adventures!

• Claudia & Moth by Jennifer Hansen Rolli

Claudia loves to paint the colorful butterflies she sees but winter has brought her only a moth...

Ages 10 and up

• The Greenglass House by Kate Milford

Try to solve the growing mysteries with Milo and Meddy as they work to discover the truth about the Greenglass House.

• The Dogs of Winter by Bobbie Pyron

Based on a true story, an orphan boy is adopted by a pack of dogs to survive a harsh winter.

• The Vanderbeekers of 141^st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

When the landlord of their beloved brownstone decides not to renew their lease, the Vanderbeekers do what is needed to try and stay.

• Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher

A polar bear being transported from Norway to London is being taken care of by a young runaway on the trip.

• Peak by Roland Smith

An action-packed adventure about a 14-year-old boy who attempts to climb Everest.

• The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

An autobiographical novel recounting a severe winter in the southeastern Dakota Territory during 1880-1881.

• The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Coming from a simple life to being required to train as a potential princess sets up a story of a teenage girl’s reckoning with a harsher reality she’s unaccustomed to.

• Icefall by Matthew Kirby

Solveig and her brothers need to find out who amongst them is a traitor before it’s too late.

• Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth

Tash and her best friend, Sam, flee across the mountains of Tibet to escape the wrath of soldiers.

Teens

• Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

Cass embarks on a dangerous journey across a poisoned sea to the land of Blue.

• After the Snow by S.D. Crockett

Willo journeys in search of his family who disappeared from the freezing mountain that was once home.

• Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Hudson had her dreams dashed and her sense of optimism has taken a beating, until she is given a ‘second chance.’

• Towering by Alex Flinn

A reimagined version of Rapunzel from the alternate perspectives of three teens.

• Winter Song by Jean-Claude Mourvelat

Four teenagers escape their boarding school, fleeing across icy mountains to join a fight against the tyrannical government.

• Survive by Alex Morel

Jane and Paul survive a plane crash and work together to try and get through the harsh and icy wilderness.

• The Drop by Jeff Ross

Alex has a dream to snowboard as part of the Backcountry Patrol, an elite group of snowboarders.