There is so much to celebrate in January! It’s a brand new year, with brand new possibilities. Enjoy your celebrations by reading amazing picture books together as a family! I have a brand new list for you to feature books about New Years, Martine Luther King Jr., and books all about winter. Let’s dig in to the best picture books to read in January!
Picture Books about New Years
Freedom Soup by Tami Charles
This is a wonderful story about a tradition dating back to the Haitian Revolution. This year, Belle gets to learn how to make Freedom Soup with Ti Gran and the history of Haiti. This book will lead to more rabbit trails about what traditions are celebrated for the New Year with Rabbit Trails through New Years!
Every Month is a New Year: Celebrations Around the World by Marilyn Singer
New Years is celebrated all over the world and during different months. This book has sixteen poems highlighting these fascinating festivities. The poems highlight the traditions and customs for each country. I love the illustrators’ use of collage illustrations.
Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport
Shante’s grandma forgets the black-eyed peas for their New Year’s celebration. Shante goes on a hunt for black-eyed peas all around town. On her hunt, she learns about other countries’ new year traditions. She finally finds some at Auntie Marie’s. It’s fun to read about different countries’ traditions.
Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller
Who makes New Year’s resolutions? Squirrel is trying to decide on her resolution. She spends the day with her friends and learns more about each other’s resolutions. At the end, she finally decides on the perfect resolution.
Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. by reading great books!
Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
Martin Luther King Jr. had such a brave and wonderful dream. This book includes many quotes from Martin. I love being able to read his own words and not just what others have written about him. You can learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. In Rabbit Trails through MLK Jr Day lesson.
Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange
Poet Ntozake Shange does a great job of capturing the spirit of Coretta Scott King’s life. When celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr, many people forget about his wife. She helped push for change to civil rights alongside her husband.
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
The children that volunteered to march for their civil rights were extremely brave. This book helps our children see what determination these children had to try to help change the laws. I love that it helps my children see that it is important to stand up peacefully for what they believe in.
We March by Shane W. Evans
This simple picture book gets the point across with few words. It tells the story of the March on Washington on August 28, 1963 and of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. With so few words, we rely on the beautiful illustrations to help tell the story.
Picture Books about Winter to Read in January
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Jan Brett’s illustrations are just simply amazing. Nicki’s Grandmother makes him new white mittens, but warns him not to lose them in the snow! Of course, he does lose one and the animals try to use it to keep warm. This awesome author/illustrator is January’s featured author in Journey Down the Rabbit Trail membership. You don’t want to miss learning about her and going on fun rabbit trails for each subject.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Little Peter puts on his cute red snowsuit and heads out to play in the snow. He has many small adventures during the day. My favorite part is when he put the snowball in his pocket to save for later. (Ezra Jack Keats has a fascinating life story that you can learn more about in March in Journey Down the Rabbit Trail membership!)
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Wilson Bentley was fascinated by the beauty of snowflakes. He was determined to make paintings and take pictures of individual snowflakes. During his lifetime, he took over 5,000 pictures of snowflakes on black velvet. His work is still used today. You can learn more about him in the FREE Rabbit Trails through Science: Let It Snow lesson.
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
The Over and Under books are so much fun to read. They help children see what different animals do to survive the different habitats and seasons. You get to see which animals live in tunnels or caves and which ones camouflage above the snow. The illustrations are excellently done so that you feel like you are out skiing in the snow.
What other picture books do you read in January?
Here is my list of books, now I’d love to hear yours! Let us know what books you love about New Years, MLK Jr., or winter by commenting below or joining my online homeschool community. Happy reading!