I’ve been waiting for winter. I know logically that winter began with the solstice on December 21st, but until we experience more than one snowfall I am always filled with doubt. I am not a winter sport enthusiast or anything like that, but I do enjoy walking in the snow with my dog. She loves snow. She can barely contain herself when we go out, she pulls at the leash to get into the yard to play in it. She was so happy when the snow started to fall the day after Christmas that she was barking at the back door to go out. Watching her roll around in the freshly fallen snow made me think of my favorite picture books about snow, so I thought I would share some with you.

“Winter is the Warmest Season” is a picture book by Lauren Stringer that describes how the coldest time of the year is also a time of incredible warmth inside our home and our hearts. It is one of my favorite picture books about winter. I love the story and the illustrations in this book.

“Snow” by Cynthia Rylant tells the story of a little girl, her friend and her grandmother out enjoying all the beauty and poetry of a fresh snowfall. It makes me think of all the first snowfalls I’ve experienced in my life. From the ones where my sisters and I tried to catch as many fat snowflakes on our tongues as a child to watching my puppy chase the snowflakes of the first snowfall this year.

“Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner gives us a glimpse of what one little boy imagines the snowmen do at night when he is asleep. It describes a charming gathering of snow families gathering to socialize and have snowball fights and play games until dawn. If you like this one you will love the two other in the series, “Snowmen at Work” and “Snowmen at Christmas”.

“All You Need to Build a Snowman” by Alice Schertle is a lyrical recipe for building a snowman. It is fun and whimsical story of how to create the perfect, and perfectly huge, snowman… or two. This book is another one that takes me back to childhood. I remember driving my mother crazy by running back into the house multiple times to get just one more thing for our snowmen.

If you are looking for winter and snow books we have a shelf or two waiting for you to come in and browse. We have an in-house scavenger hunt available and coloring sheets to be done here at the library or at home. Take and Make crafts are available to take home and complete.

Please ask at the Children’s desk if there is something you’re looking for and can’t find right away; we’re here to help. Check out our monthly calendar of programming too. We offer a variety of activities for all ages, from story time to book club for teens. You can find more information on our website at www.newulmlibrary.org on the Library Events page.

The library is located at 17 N. Broadway and is open to the public Monday to Thursdays 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

The library will be closed in observance of the New Year on Friday, December 31 and Saturday, January 1. The library will reopen on Monday, January 3 at 9:30 a.m.