Winter is ordinarily chilly, and you are stuck inside. This is a great time to get your third grader into reading if they haven’t already fallen in love with it yet. Please don’t worry if they haven’t found their passion yet. They will! Sometimes it takes kids a long time, but what better a time than the cold winter months to give them some new books and help shape (or start) their love!
14 Winter Reads
Here is a list of 14 winter reads a third grader will want to cozy up with during these winter months!
The Snow Day from the Black Lagoon- Mike Thaler
Hubie is a lovable character that everyone loves! The Black Lagoon is an excellent series for readers just starting chapter books. When a blizzard hits, Hubie realizes that this could mean no moving, no going outside, an absolute “no” type day. But after spending the afternoon getting ready for the outdoors, we are left to wonder whether he will make it into the winter wonderland.
Dragons Don’t Throw Snowballs- Marcia Thornton Jones
Bailey School Kids certainly deal with many weird people and things, and this story is no different! The town’s mad scientist may have turned his snow structure into a real dragon, and the kids are going to figure out if it is true or not!
History of Fun Stuff: The Sweet Story of Hot Chocolate- Stephen Krensky
This nonfiction series is an excellent choice for any third grader who loves everything real! They can quickly dive into the history of hot chocolate and how it came to be. Plus, maybe they will be able to grab a cup while they read!
Cam Jansen and the Snowy Day Mystery- David A. Alder
One way to get children to read more is to get them interested in a series of books. Cam Jansen is a great choice with over 30 books. Your child will have plenty of options! Eric and Cam are heading to the computer lab on this snowy day. But, when they arrive, they realize three computers are missing. With only two clues: footprints in the snow and a locked window. Cam is just not sure if she can solve this one!
Lost in the Snow- Holly Webb
Fluff is the smallest, weakest, but cutest of the farm kittens. But, as her brothers and sisters get ready to go to new homes. She is left alone. After a heartbreaking experience with a little girl, Fluff decided to break away from the farm to find her own home. However, she is soon lost and all alone. What will Fluff do?
The Story of Snow- Mark Cassino , Jon Nelson
The perfect book for the child who wants to know all about snow. Answering questions like how do snowflakes form and are no two snow crystals alike? This scientific book will explore all things snow. Featuring real photographs of snow crystals and even snowflake-catching directions!
Little House: The Long Winter- Laure Ingalls Wilder
Another great series that follows Laura Ingalls and her family as Pa, Ma, Laura, Mary, Carrie and Little Grace. This time, the family faces the brutal winter of 1880-1881 in their little house in Dakota. Blizzards so bad it has cut off all supplies, and they are almost out of food. Almanzo Wilder and a friend make a dangerous trip across the prairie for some wheat and they celebrate Christmas in an usual way!
Testing the Ice- Sharon Robinson
Sharon Robinson, the daughter of the famous baseball player Jackie Robinson, has created a heartwarming (and true) story about growing up with her dad. Once Jackie Robinson retires from baseball and moves the family to Connecticut, the lake on the property becomes the center of the fun. They would go swimming, boating and enjoy it all summer long. In winter, Jackie refuses to let anyone on the lake until he has tested it is safe for ice skating. Although, he has never gone near the lake the kids get into to try.
Geronimo Stilton: Geronimo on Ice!- Geronimo Stilton
Geronimo Stilton is another great graphic novel series for kids who love to read and look at fun illustrations and wording! They will love this hilarious book where Geronimo explores all things winter!
Winter of the Ice Wizard- Mary Pope Osborne
With the help of Teddy and Kathleen (from earlier books), Jack and Annie travel in the Magic Tree House to a place full of snow where the Ice Wizard has captured Morgan and Merlin. The four friends must find the Ice Wizard’s missing eye… and help his heart too!
The Midwinter Witch- Molly Knox Ostertag
Magic always has a dark side and Aster looks forward to the Midwinter Festival. This is a Vanissen family reunion and includes competitions in witchery and shapeshifting. He’s determined to show everything that he’s proud of who he is and what he has learned, but it’s not that easy. Ariel has darker things on her mind, and she is trying to figure out exactly where she belongs!
I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888- Lauren Tarshis
John Hale already survived one bad Dakota winter, and now he will experience the deadliest blizzards in American history. In the storm of 1888, a frozen hurricane moved into the midwest without warning, and the prairie was buried in feet of snow! Hundreds will die, and thousands will be lost and frozen.
Disaster Strikes Blizzard Night- Marlane Kennedy
A winter trip to the remote Michigan wilderness seems like the perfect idea to help Jayden and his foster family get to know one another. He doesn’t have much in common with his foster siblings, and he hopes to get to know them better on the trip. But the snow starts to come down, and the family van crashes. All three kids must go out into the storm and search for help. But disaster strikes again!
Wonderful Winter- Bruce Goldstone
Winter is the season of wonder. This book is full of winter questions and answers that will get your children thinking about snowflakes, Christmas, Hanukkah, snowfalls, animals, and more!
For The Love of Reading
These 14 books are sure to get your third grader interested in reading, and snuggling up with a cup of hot chocolate and a new book is the perfect way to spend the winter months! Don’t forget there are many ways to incorporate your child’s favorite book into your school day, and I bet they will love learning even more if they get to read a good book in the process!
