Cooler, darker, Winter months always make me wish I could hibernate – but curling up with a stack of books and a warm blanket is the next best thing.
This book list was inspired by the January 2019 Hibernation #aReadaDay theme. If you want to learn more about our FREE a Read a Day challenge – visit this page to get started.
If you just want some great children’s books to share about hiberation – then keep scrolling!
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10+ Picture Books About Hibernation
1. A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson
Turtle wants to hibernate but he just cannot find a quiet spot. Full of humor and repetition, this is a great book to read aloud and perfect for a younger audience.
2. The Snowy Nap
by Jan Brett
I’m a big Jan Brett fan but this is by far my favorite book of hers in a long time – probably since The Mitten. How could you not fall in love with that sweet little hedgehog? The story is equally darling.
You May Also Like: Jan Brett Author Study Ideas
3. Time to Sleep
by Denise Fleming
Winter is coming, Bear knows it is time for his winter nap. However first Bear wants to tell snail. The snail in turn wants to tell seal. A relay of sorts goes through the woods, until ladybug crawls back to a very sleepy bear. Sweet bedtime story and discussion of winter.
You May Also Like:
Cozy Storytime for Toddlers & Preschoolers
4. Bear Snores On
by Karma Wilson
A bear is asleep in his cave and one by one animals gather. Will they wake up the sleeping bear? This is one of my all time favorite books to read aloud. It is perfectly paced and building beautifully to a climax. I love to play with volume and pacing when I read it aloud to draw in my listeners. On top of that, it is just a fun and suspenseful story.
Also Read: Bear Snores On Snack Time
5. Hush Up and Hibernate
by Sandra Markle
Howard McWilliam
A hibernation book that reads like your bedtime struggles. A great one to read before bed.
6. Bear Has a Story to Tell
by Philip C Stead and Erin E Stead
This book is so full of warmth and kindness. Bear is sleepy but before he hibernates he wants to tell someone his story. One by one animals are too busy to stop and hear his story, but instead of getting annoyed Bear simply helps them with their task and wishes them a good Winter. The ending is perfect in its simplicity, the way it circles back around, and in the warmth that his friends return. This is a must read in my book.
Also Read: Bears Story Time for Preschoolers
7. Over and Under the Snow
by Kate Messner
Art by Christopher Silas Neal
This is a gorgeous series. I love this one for the hibernation theme for the unique perspective on hibernation that it offers. So much is happening under the ground in the winter that we never think about.
8. The Mitten
by Jan Brett
Is this a story about hibernation? To me it is. These animals are all looking for a cozy place because it’s winter and it’s time for a nap. A classic winter story none-the-less by the queen of Wintery tales (in my opinion), Jan Brett.
9. Knock Knock: Sidesplitting Story Fun
by Tammi Sauer
illustrated by Guy Francis
Side splitting may be over selling it a touch, but my kids do think this book is hilarious. It’s a series of knock knock jokes perfect for that 5-8 year old humor.
10. A Bed for Bear
by Clive McFarland
Bernard is getting sleepy but it is too cramped and noisy in his den so he heads out to find somewhere better to sleep. I love a good circular story and I think kid’s like the predictability. I also like that this one talks about a lot of different animals that hibernate – not just bears.
11. Before We Sleep
by Giorgia Volpe & Paolo Proietti
The illustrations steal the show in this quiet book about hibernation and the changing seasons. I absolutely adore the muted colors and the small details – like the dormouse’s little teapot home. They add to the sleepy feel of this book that pair well with a story of hibernation and winter approaching. Together they would also work well as a bedtime story. This is a sweet late autumn story.
12. Zander Stays
by Maureen Fergus
illustrated by Scot Ritchie
ZANDER STAYS is a hilarious book about a duck who decides to stay instead of migration south with his flock. He attempts to prepare for winter based on the advice of friends and ultimately finds an unexpected way to weather winter. This is a funny read aloud.
13. SLEEPY: Surprising Ways Animals Snooze
by Jennifer Ward
illustrated by Robin Page
published by Beach Lane
Admittedly, this is not just about hibernation. Hibernation is mentioned but it is about the many different ways that animals sleep. Rhyming text, well crafted page turns and beautiful illustrations create a fantastic read aloud nonfiction for kids. From hummingbirds that cling to branches in a deep sleep, sea otters who float while they nap, or nurse sharks cuddled on the ocean floor, this book takes you around the globe to pop in on interesting animals and their sleepy habits. The text has two layers. One is highly read aloud-able with rhyming words and a few lines that quickly share interesting information about the unusual ways different kinds of animals sleep. There is an additional paragraph of text on each page for kids who want to learn more about each animal and the way they sleep. Highly read able and informative, this is great nonfiction for animal fans.
