Living in a non-francophone city means that while our libraries have a minuscule area dedicated to French books for children, it is far from sufficient for my little bookworm. And with an equally limited selection of French kids’ books in local bookstores, I end up having to research and find the best books to purchase online. While I’m always adding to our collection, my favourite time to buy new books is during the transition from one season to the next, which is also when I rotate our seasonal books. Our daughter loves to discover and re-discover books that mimic what’s happening around her. As the last of the leaves fall to the ground, the air gets colder, and the festive season approaches, she begins to really enjoy reading books about cold weather, hot chocolate, and the holidays.
Winter books for children in French – Livres d’hiver pour enfants
Disclosure: I’ve included Amazon links in case you’d like to purchase the book for your little ones. Please note that if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a commission (at no extra cost to you).
Voici l’hiver
by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. French text by Isabelle Montagnier.
Voici l’hiver celebrates the wonders of this magical season. Through the pages filled with smiling kids and loving scenes, children will discover the joys of the first snowfall of winter, playful snowball fights, sledding down a snowy hill, building a snowman and sipping hot chocolate while reading in front of the fireplace.
La vie secrète des bonshommes de neige
by Caralyn Buehner. French text by Claudine Azoulay.
La vie secrète des bonshommes de neige is an imagination-filled story. When a child notices that his snowman doesn’t look the same the next day, he wonders just what snowmen get up to during the night. Once it gets dark, do they head to the park to drink a chocolatey drink, do they race or skate on the ice, or do they slide down the hill with their friends?
Je lis avec Pat le chat : Jour de neige
by James Dean.
Pat le chat is very much loved in our household, so it’s no surprise that this book is on my list of French children’s books this winter. Through the familiar characters of the series, my daughter loves discovering the fun activities that snowy days bring and I love watching her discovering and repeating new winter-related vocabulary as she excitedly recounts the story to me.
Lune d’hiver
by Fran Cannon Slayton. French text by Isabelle Montagnier.
Again, we have another wonderful book that celebrates winter. With soft, soothing illustrations and melodious rhyming text, Lune d’hiver transforms a snowy night into a poetic family adventure under the silvery glow of the winter’s moon.
Cherche et trouve en hiver
by Luc Loubait.
Cherche et trouve en hiver is a “seek and find” book that will bring out the inner detective in your child. They will have so much fun looking for familiar winter symbols. It’s fascinating seeing them concentrating and rejoicing when they’re successful in finding that snowman!
What French kids’ books are on your seasonal books shelf this winter?
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