Lone Star Nannies: Winter Reading List
Winter Reading List
Hello, from Lone Star Nannies!
When temperatures drop and kids are no longer able to spend as much time outdoors, they can still travel all over the world by immersing themselves in the next best thing…the pages of a book! Whether you’re a nanny looking to pass time by reading chapters aloud or a parent wanting to encourage your avid reader with a new series, check out the list below for books we think are a great fit for elementary age students.
As you author the story of your own family, we’re right here beside you. Let us know how we can be written into the pages of your life. Trustworthy child care can be hard to find, and we want to help you on that journey. In fact, sometimes it seems like an epic fiction novel to be doing what we do every day. While it may seem too good to be true, Lone Star Nannies is not a fantasy. Give us a call!
TEXAS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
You’ve heard ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but have you heard the Texas version? Get ready for a new family favorite to add to your library. Santa shows up in a Stetson and cowboy boots with a team of longhorns. For all the born and raised Texans out there, this book is bound to be a hit!
SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY
Wilson Bentley is known as the first person to take close up photographs of snowflakes, and his story is quite inspiring! From the time he was a boy, Bentley was always mesmerized by snow. The amount of perseverance it took for him to move through obstacles and failures teaches the next generation to never give up, even when things are hard. A favorite among teachers, this book tells the life story of a man who captured the distinct beauty of every snowflake.
TACKY THE PENGUIN
Children have been falling in love with Tacky the Penguin since its original publication in 1988. While most characters in the book think Tacky is a little odd, they soon come to realize that they may not survive without him. Kids will not only laugh, they’ll learn that we’re all made to be different and use our gifts in the world. There are multiple books in the series, so you can follow this fun loving penguin’s adventures throughout the winter. We all need a friend like Tacky!
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
A classic and endearing story, The Velveteen Rabbit is still quoted because of the depth it holds for adults and children. In the words of the skin horse, “Real isn’t how you are made…It’s a thing that happens to you.” Journey with the velveteen rabbit in his quest to become real, and realize that we all have the same desires in life. As Margery Williams reminds us, becoming real starts with being loved.
GINGERBREAD BABY
Jann Brett has an entire collection of winter books that are worth checking out, but this one is a fun read while kids are out of school for Christmas break! Matti asks his mother if they can make gingerbread men, but has no idea he’s about to create a baked good that’s ready to run. In the words of the gingerbread baby, “Catch me if you can!” Check out Jan Brett’s The Mitten if you’d like to read more titles in her winter series.
A LOUD WINTER’S NAP
Tortoise doesn’t like winter, or at least, he thinks he doesn’t. From the squirrel who starts a snowball fight to the beaver who chops down his tree, finding a peaceful place to hibernate becomes a light hearted adventure kids will love reading over and over again. Find out what happens when Tortoise goes on a quest to find a quiet haven to escape winter…and the fun he has along the way.
WINTER ON THE FARM (MY FIRST LITTLE HOUSE BOOKS)
If you grew up reading Little House on the Prairie, you’ll love this series adapted for young readers. Perfect for road trips or bedtime stories, these classic books are filled with life lessons from pioneers who traveled across the midwest in covered wagons. While we no longer cross the country on wheels made with spokes, listening to these stories might inspire your little one to pioneer something else in this life.
STONE FOX
There’s a reason why this classic chapter book about a dogsled race was listed as an “Outstanding Children’s Book” by the New York Times. The story of a boy named Willy who enters the race to save his grandfather and the family farm has become a page turner for over 30 years! John Reynolds Gardiner based the story on a Rocky Mountain legend. It was so popular that it was also made into a movie in the 1980’s.
CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS
We recently included Cranberry Thanksgiving in our fall reading list…but there’s more! Wende and Harry Devlin created another mystery for Christmas. In this story, Mr. Whiskers saves the day again when Cyrus Grape refuses to allow children to ice skate on “his” pond. There’s also more baking involved. Maggie’s favorite cranberry cookie recipe is included at the end.
MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS
Mr. Popper is a small town house painter who doesn’t have much money but dreams of visiting faraway places, especially cold places. When Mr. Popper writes fan mail to an Antarctic explorer named Admiral Drake, he receives a surprise…a penguin he names Captain Cook! Follow the lives of Mr. Popper and his family as they end up with a house full of penguins that tour the country. Originally published in 1938, this book has stood the test of time as a well loved classic.
SERIES RECOMMENDATIONS (UPPER ELEMENTARY)
Cooper Kids Adventure Series
Author: Frank Peretti
Jay and Lila Cooper travel the world with their archaeologist father, the closest story line you’ll get to Indiana Jones for 8-12 year olds. These books are full of mystery and adventure. The author, Frank Peretti, has an interesting background. He was made fun of a lot at school when he was a kid because he has a speech impediment. Today, he’s a master storyteller.
Historical Fiction
Author: Jennifer Nielsen
Jennifer Nielsen’s historical fiction series has mature content because of the historical settings in which they take place, but if you think your child is ready to meet heroic main characters their own age, these books are wildly popular in public schools. Well written and suspenseful, you might even find yourself wanting to read ahead after the kids go to bed. Words on Fire and Resistance are two great titles to check out before you dive into the whole series.
With care,
Lone Star Nannies