Winter has arrived and seems to be staying. It's cold, snowy, and slushy. Looking at the weather forecast, there are never-ending chances of flurries and periods of snow. Some people retreat indoors; others insist it’s their favourite season. So exactly what is there to love about winter?

Research shows that winter leads to reduced use of outdoor public spaces, recreation, and socialization (Chapman et al. 2019). Yet winter doesn’t have to be something we simply endure. A healthier approach “does not ignore the challenges posed by winter, but nor does it understand winter as an obstacle to be overcome. Rather, it seeks to ensure that winter is better coped with and celebrated, not just endured” (Davies, 2015, p. 307). There is also a cultural dimension to the season. As Butts and Adams (2020) note, “weather has a cultural meaning, both individually and collectively, within the community that creates a sense of shared experience and belonging” (p. 11). Winter shapes how we gather, how we move, and how we connect with each other and with place.

These books from the Margo Sandor Children’s Literature Collection were chosen with that spirit in mind, to celebrate winter as a time to slow down, rest, and relax, while also embracing the joy of playing in place! Winter may be cold, dreary, and long, but there is always something in it to love. By nurturing connection and resilience, we can learn to appreciate the season rather than simply wait for it to pass. You can find these materials on the Third-Floor shelves right by the Children’s Literature Collection.

Jillian Jiggs and the Great Big Snow by Phoebe Gilman tells the story of a wonderful winter morning and how Jillian can't wait to get outside and play! Soon she and her friends are busy making snowy masterpieces, but what will her mother say when she finds out Jillian lost her scarf, mittens, and her hat?

The Moon Speaks Cree: a Winter Adventure is based on memories from his childhood, Cree author Larry Oskiniko Loyie tells the story of his younger self, Lawrence, who learns the traditional way of life during the winter season. Lawrence learns respect for sled dogs, how to build a slider, catch a snowflake, and through these adventures, is brought closer to his family. Book cover for The Moon Speaks Cree: A Winter Adventure

Nana's Cold Days by Adwoa Badoe is a story of grandsons, Ken and Rama, who have been looking forward to their Nana’s visit. Nana arrives into the cold winter of North America, she goes to bed and refuses to get up. Ken and Rama come up with ideas to entice Nana from her cozy nest! This book also uses an innovative collage style to illustrate this humorous story!

Snow Story by Nancy Hundal is a beautifully illustrated story of Chloe reveling in delight and playing joyfully in the snow when she finds that everything has been cancelled because of a snowstorm. Book cover for Snow Story

To explore more of winter themed books in OISE Library’s Children Literature Collection, you can search the U of T Libraries catalogue, drop by the OISE Library in person to browse the collection, or ask at the Reference Desk!

References

Butts, D., & Adams, H. (2020). Weather contracts: Capturing a sense of weather for place-based adaptation to climate change. Global Environmental Change, 63, 102052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2020.102052

Chapman, D., Nilsson, K. L., Rizzo, A., & Larsson, A. (2019). Winter city urbanism: Enabling all year connectivity for soft mobility. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(10), 1820. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101820

Davies, W. K. D. (2015). Winter cities. In W. K. D. Davies (Ed.), Theme cities: solutions for urban problems (pp. 277–310). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9655-2_8

Header photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Loving winter with children's literature!

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