Discover the joy of reading with Book Clubs and Book Fairs
Discover the joy of reading with Book Clubs and Book Fairs
Reading enlivens the spirit of the season! Embark on a magical reading adventure with 25 fun challenges for the whole family.
Winter is upon us! Celebrate the magic of the season by sharing good cheer and great stories together as a family. Whether it’s by the fireplace or alongside a hot cup of cocoa, cozying up with books is the perfect way to establish a robust reading routine—all while creating cherished memories and traditions with your child.
From exploring new wonders and meeting fantastical characters to discovering new genres like graphic novels and non-fiction titles, this winter reading challenge will be sure to delight readers of all ages. Designed to be fun and engaging, these 25 challenges will motivate your kids to read as many books as possible. Participate in our winter reading challenge and feel all the feels this season!
Download and print out our winter reading challenge to track your progress! You can find our top book recommendations for each challenge below.
The Snowy Day
With a warm sense of wonder, this beloved tale captures the magic and joy of a city kid’s day in the snow.
Perfect Snow
A perfect snow has fallen, and first-grader Scott and fourth-grader Jim have been daydreaming the morning away, making plans, doodling sketches of snowmen and snow forts, all in anticipation of recess and the endless possibilities of this perfect snow.
I Survived The Wellington Avalanche, 1910
The Wellington snow slide of 1910 was―and still is―the deadliest avalanche in America’s history. Lauren Tarshis’s story of one child surviving the frozen nightmare pounds with page-turning action and heartwarming hope.
Eight Wild Nights: A Family Hanukkah Tale
Celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah with this hilarious rhyming tale perfect for the holiday season.
How to Catch Santa Claus
It’s time to deck the halls and set your traps in this new Christmas adventure from the bestselling How to Catch series!
K is for Kwanzaa
This alphabet book contains 26 words that celebrate Kwanzaa’s principles. A wonderful introduction to the holiday!
Bluey: Barky Boats
Play Barky Boats with Bluey and Mackenzie in this fun storybook based on the wildly successful animated series Bluey, as seen on Disney+.
The Bad Guys #18: The Bad Guys in Look Who’s Talking
Forget what you know. This book changes everything. Someone’s found her voice and she has A LOT to tell you. Take a deep breath, hermano, it’s the 18th installment of THE BAD GUYS!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid #18: No Brainer
In No Brainer, book 18 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, it’s up to Greg to save his crumbling school before it’s shuttered for good.
Gingerbread Mouse
This charming holiday story about finding a safe new home glows with coziness and generosity.
I SPY™ Christmas
Hiding in these holiday scenes, from boxes of ornaments to presents under the tree, are all kinds of delightful surprises for kids to spot and find.
A Christmas Carol
Part eerie ghost story, part heartwarming holiday message, this Christmas classic tells a tale of selfishness, self-discovery, and redemption.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
In this powerful and lyrical picture book, a young girl learns to love and celebrate her appearance. An empowering tale of self-acceptance and respect for one’s roots.
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
Amy loves to make bao with her family. But it takes skill to make the bao taste and look delicious. And her bao keep coming out all wrong. Will Amy ever make the perfect bao?
Squished
From the powerhouse duo behind the instant bestseller Allergic comes a spirited new graphic novel about finding your own space… especially when you’re in a family of nine!
Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? How Animals Keep Warm
Did you know the Alaskan wood frog spends the winter with most of its body frozen and doesn’t die? Fascinating facts about animals in winter and what they do to survive.
Seals Are Jerks!
In a hilarious story for fans of We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, a young girl is determined to find out the truth about her favourite animals–and find out once and for all, are seals really jerks and do they really eat penguins?!
National Geographic Kids™ Polar Bears
This fact-filled non-fiction reader introduces kids to the remote world of these stunning animals who live at the top of the world!
Our Table
Celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds brings his signature touch of love and kindness to this special, timely picture book, as families now, more than ever, are rediscovering and reevaluating what means the most: time together with one another.
Uni the Unicorn: How to Say Thank You
Explore the magic of friendship with Uni the Unicorn as she learns the many wonderful ways to express gratitude and thanks.
Thanks, Mom!
A heart-warming, funny picture book that shows some of the many reasons to be thankful for our moms!
Graduation Groove
Whether you’re excited or nervous, this book is perfect for your special day and will help you dance to first grade!
Four Eyes
A funny and heartwarming middle-grade graphic-novel memoir about fitting in, facing bullies, and finding the right pair of glasses.
Parachute Kids
A dream trip to America turns into a nightmare for Feng-Li when her parents return to Taiwan without her. A funny, fast-paced, and heartrending story about living on your own as an undocumented new immigrant, inspired by the author’s own childhood as a parachute kid.
Little Bear
Follow the first year of a little grizzly bear cub, from his first steps out of the den and meeting new friends to digging a new den for hibernation.
Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth
Meet Earth. Planet Awesome! And your awesome home! Actually, Earth is home to all the plants and all the animals in the solar system, including nearly eight billion people.
Everything Awesome About Dangerous Dinosaurs
Learn everything that’s AWESOME about dangerous dragons in this non-fiction reader that combines cartoon illustrations and photographs.
How to Catch a Snowman
Get ready for snow much fun traveling through a winter wonderland, running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap in order to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize!
Snowmen at Halloween
Ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked or his tree-branch arms have moved? Ever wondered… what do snowmen do when nobody’s watching?
Bad Kitty Does Not Like Snow
When this funny feline encounters her first snowflakes, they are wet, slippery, and cold, in a comic adventure about trying new things!
The Super Mario Bros. Movie: A Hero Like No Other
Relive all the fun and action of The Super Mario Bros. Movie with this full-colour storybook starring Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach!
Owl Diaries #1: Eva’s Treetop Festival
Eva Wingdale has a real hoot making art, designing outfits, baking, and writing in her diary!
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes: Movie Edition
Sixty-four years before Katniss stood up for change, the world of Panem was a very different place–and a teenager named Coriolanus Snow is plotting to make a name for himself. The pulse-pounding prequel to The Hunger Games, featuring cover art from the movie.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year―for driving a sleigh! ‘Tis also the season―for driving a sleigh! Oh, and joy to the―driving a sleigh!
The Leaf Thief
This funny picture book teaches kids about autumn, adapting to change, and the seasons.
The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday
In this novelization of the events of The Bad Guys holiday special, there’s nothing The Bad Guys love more than Christmas morning―because while everyone is home opening presents, it’s the perfect time to execute a city-wide holiday heist. It’s the crew’s favourite yearly tradition!
Big Feelings
Kids are brimming with big emotions! This helpful picture book shows them how to navigate their feelings by talking things through and seeing the situation from different points of view.
Crumbs
On a wintry city street, a one-legged bird dances for crumbs to eat…but Ella has nothing to give. Then her father shows how a simple act of human kindness can spread joy to all. A captivating and universal story to warm the hearts of readers everywhere.
Restart
Chase was a real jerk—until he lost his memory. Now he’s a nice guy who wants to become friends with his former victims…if they will let him!
Never Pop a Penguin!
An adorable, poppable board book, perfect for little hands to keep busy while reading about why you should NEVER pop a penguin!
Winter According to Humphrey
Room 26 is buzzing with excitement. The students are making costumes and practicing their special songs for the Winter Wonderland program. They’re also sharing their favourite family traditions, and Humphrey the hamster is fascinated by all the different ways they celebrate.
The Baby-Sitters Club® Super Special #3: Baby-Sitters’ Winter Vacation
Every year the students at Stoneybrook Middle School get invited to Leicester Lodge in Vermont for a week of winter fun―and this year everyone is going!
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?
Children can hiss like snakes and snort like hippos as they watch noisy animals parade through the pages of this colourful book.
Charlotte’s Web
With a gentle voice and pleasant humour, this classic tale tells the story of an innocent young pig―and the devoted friend who changes his life.
Holes
Crime and punishment is the story of Stanley Yelnats’s life ― as in punished for a crime he did not commit! Could his bad luck be the result of a curse?
Rocket and Groot: Little Groot, Big Feeling
Marvel fan-favourite Groot stars in this original storybook that explores social emotional issues. With a kid-friendly art style and simple, preschool text Groot learns to get in touch with his feelings!
Who Would Win?® Battle Royale
Five fierce fights to the end—collected in one book. Readers can learn about all of the animals and try to predict which ones will be the winners.
Mabuhay!
Can two kids save the world and work their family food truck? A fun and heartwarming middle grade graphic novel that celebrates food, family, and folklore.
The Big Cheese
The Big Cheese is the best at everything, and brags about it, too. When the annual Cheese-cathlon comes around, the Big Cheese is prepared to win, as always. But what happens when the quiet new kid, Wedge Wedgeman, comes out on top?
Princess Truly: I Can Help!
From lending a hand during her friend’s moving day to cleaning up a stinky park, Princess Truly loves to help those around her! Three rhyming stories that are just right for beginning readers.
Top Story: A Front Desk Novel
In the latest in the Front Desk series from best-selling author Kelly Yang, Mia Tang is at the top of her game… but will her good luck last? The fifth book in the middle grade series about family, friendship, and following dreams.
How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?
Just like kids, dinosaurs have a difficult time learning to behave at the table. However, with a little help from Mom and Dad, these young dinosaurs eat all before them with smiles and goodwill.
The Smart Cookie
This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. Will a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence be enough to help learn that perfect scores and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence?
Bad Food #4: Live and Let Fry
It’s a hole new food fight at Belching Walrus Elementary when a family of doughnuts shows up at the school cafeteria looking for an unexpected foe.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Engaging, hilarious, and encouraging, this award-winning picture book about a demanding city bird gets kids to look, listen, and respond.
The Party Diaries #1: Awesome Orange Birthday
Priya is excited to plan her aunty’s birthday party. She will donate the money she makes to help the cutest endangered animal on the planet, the quokka! But the party is this Saturday! With so many items on her to-do list, can she get it all done in time?
Cat on the Run #1: Cat on the Run in Cat of Death!
Thanks to her number-one meme megastar status, Princess Beautiful is the most famous feline on the planet! But that’s all about to change….
All We Need Is Love and a Really Soft Pillow!
This heartfelt celebration of love follows Poppy and Little One as they discuss all the things they need in life like a really good pillow or a roof over their heads but most important of all, love.
Hair Love
This dad and his little one celebrate their shared kinks, coils, and curls–even if Dad has a lot to learn about how to style them!
The Kissing Hand
Soft and calming, this beloved picture book reassures young readers that a mother’s love can travel any distance.
Chompy
CAUTION: THIS BOOK BITES! Kids and parents alike will delight in this interactive picture book about a loveable monster who just wants to be your friend.
Acorn Was a Little Wild
When Acorn jumps off the oak tree, he finds a wide world full of exciting new experiences! A charming picture book about a young acorn’s grand adventure and the incredible transformation that follows.
Bears Don’t Share!
Bear and Squirrel are on the hunt for some food before winter comes, but there’s just one small problem… bears don’t share! This laugh-out-loud picture book showcases important lessons in friendship and caring.
Llama Llama Red Pajama
Bedtime can be worrisome for every little creature, as this lilting, lovable, witty picture book shows.
Goodnight, Butterfly
This laugh-out-loud companion to The Very Impatient Caterpillar and The Little Butterfly That Could is perfect for bedtime―or any time!
Gabby’s Dollhouse: Sleepover Party
Pillow Cat is nervous because she’s never been to a sleepover before. It’s up to Gabby, Pandy, and Kitty Fairy to cheer her up and make sure everyone has a fun time!
CoComelon: What Makes Me Happy
Follow along with JJ and his brother and sister as they overcome their fears of a storm by focusing on what makes them happy, like their mom and dad, their dog, Bingo, pillow forts, teddy bears, and more.
The Fort
Five friends stick together after they set up a hideout in an abandoned bomb shelter and discover that the only way to be true friends is to reveal their secrets and help each other out.
Goodnight Moon
Bright and bold with red-and-green illustrations, this beloved bedtime book calms and soothes with repeated good-nights to special objects.
Emi Isn’t Scared of Monsters
A hilarious, brand-new bedtime picture book about what it means to show bravery in the face of the creatures that go bump in the night!
Splat the Cat: Good Night, Sleep Tight
Splat is really excited about going camping – until his mom tells him she has invited his rival, Spike. Will Spike ruin Splat’s trip? Or maybe Splat will learn that his worst enemy isn’t so different from him after all.
Dragon’s Merry Christmas
Dragon finds a Christmas tree, makes a wreath, and does his holiday shopping.
Peppa Pig: Happy Hanukkah!
Peppa and George are at their grandparents’ house when they smell something yummy coming from the kitchen! That something yummy is a potato pancake…and they’re about to eat it for Hanukkah!
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Spoon!
The old lady is at it again, and this time she’s swallowing a spoon? while humming a tune! You won’t believe why this old lady swallowed a spoon, a bowl, some flour, a pan, and more! Read this book and find out why!
To find even more fun printable activities for kids of all ages, visit Book Clubs’ Contests & Activities page online.
Originally published by Scholastic Parents on Nov 16, 2023. Versioned for Scholastic Canada.
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