The Snowy Day, published in 1962, has been a wintertime favorite now for more than 50 years. It is the story of a small boy exploring his neighborhood on a snowy day. He sees all of his familiar landmarks covered in a thick blanket of snow. He puts on a warm snowsuit, he makes snowballs, he builds a snowman, he listens to his boots crunch in the snow, and follows it all with a warm bath before putting his snow day to bed. The story captures all the wonderful things experienced with all five senses when we wake up to a snow-covered morning. In the city, in the country, on a school day, or a snow day-off day, fresh snow is a thrilling experience!

You can listen right now to an animated version of The Snowy Day expertly and wonderfully read aloud by composer, poet, and artist, Napoleon Maddox. You can learn more about this storytime classic in A Poem for Peter: the Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of the Snowy Day.

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

When Peter went out into the snow, what were some of the things he did to have fun?
What happened to the snowball that Peter put in his pocket to save for the next day?
When Peter went to sleep, what did he dream? Did his dream come true?
If there was a snow storm here, what would you like to do?

Read!

Click on one of the book covers below and listen to more winter stories read aloud.

Find more FREE online reading at 100+ Free Video Read Alouds or try storytime at home!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Winter at any of our locations, or check out e-books and audiobooks about Winter from OverDrive Kids right to your device. If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Sing!

Sing along and learn with this counting nursery rhyme, 5 Little Snowmen. "Five little snowmen standing in a row. Each had a hat and a big red bow!"

Write!

Find some crayons or markers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Take a winter walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Or Skip. Or gallop! Or explore our IndyPL Pinterest board for kids about winter - lots of ideas for crafts and activities!