There is just something magical about a snow day. Whether it’s an unexpected day off or a planned cozy winter morning, snow days create the perfect opportunity to slow down, snuggle up, and share a great book together. For teachers, snow days (or snow-themed days when school is still in session) are the ideal time to bring out meaningful, engaging snow day read alouds that spark curiosity while still supporting meaningful literacy instruction.
My favorite snow day read alouds do more than just fit the season. They invite rich discussion, introduce meaningful vocabulary, connect easily to reading strategies, and keep students engaged when excitement levels are definitely high. Below are some of the best snow day read alouds that work in kindergarten through second grade classrooms, each paired with a reading skill or strategy you can easily teach during reading.
Reading Skill: Character Traits and Feelings
Blizzard is a powerful, mostly wordless picture book inspired by the author’s childhood experience during the Blizzard of 1978. If you haven’t found this book yet, you are in for a treasure! I felt as if it took me right back to 1978. The story captures the buildup, impact, and aftermath of a massive snowstorm through gorgeous illustrations and short, intentional text.
This book is one of my favorite snow day read alouds because it’s perfect for discussing character traits and feelings as John, the young boy, experiences this memorable event in history. Grab this ready for you lesson HERE in my shop.
Reading Skill: Determining Importance
Based on the true story of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, this book introduces students to a man who dedicated his life to studying snowflakes. It’s a beautiful blend of biography, science, and perseverance.
As one of my go-to snow day read alouds, Snowflake Bentley lends itself perfectly to determining importance. Students can discuss what was most important about Bentley’s life and why his work mattered as they sift through information in the story. This book also opens the door to conversations about determination and passion, making it a great choice for both literacy and character education. Find a ready-for-you lesson HERE in my shop.
Reading Skill: Point of View
What do snowmen do after dark? This playful story invites students to imagine the secret lives of snowmen once humans go to sleep. The rhyming text and whimsical illustrations keep kids hooked from start to finish!
This is one of those snow day read alouds that makes teaching point of view a snap. Students are able to easily identify the point of view, making this a must-read for teaching this reading skill. Get a ready-to-use lesson HERE.
Reading Skill: Summarizing
Jan Brett’s Arctic twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears is both familiar and fresh. The detailed illustrations and cultural elements make this story especially engaging for young learners.
This book shines as one of your snow day read alouds when teaching summarizing. Since the storyline is usually familiar to students, it makes it simple to practice summarizing with characters, setting, problem, and solution. It’s a fantastic way to introduce story retellings and deepen comprehension. Get the lesson HERE for you and your students!
Reading Skill: Compare and Contrast
In The Snowy Nap, Hedgie the hedgehog decides he doesn’t want to hibernate and wonders what winter will be like. As snow begins to fall, students eagerly anticipate what will happen next!
This is one of those snow day read alouds that is great for teaching students how to compare and contrast two texts. Students can pause throughout the story to discuss how the text is similar and different from any of Jan Brett’s other beautiful books. Get the lesson that is ready for you HERE in my shop.
Reading Skill: Main Idea and Key Details
This nonfiction favorite explains how snow forms, why snowflakes are unique, and how scientists study them. The photographs are fascinating and often spark spontaneous questions from students.
As far as snow day read alouds go, this one is perfect for introducing and details within nonfiction text. This book pairs beautifully with science standards while still supporting strong reading instruction. Find everything for a vocabualry rich lesson HERE in my shop.
Snow days don’t have to mean lost learning time. With intentional snow day read alouds, you can keep instruction meaningful while embracing the excitement of winter weather. Each of these books creates space for discussion, strategy practice, and joyful learning—all while fitting seamlessly into your literacy block.
Whether you’re curled up inside during a real snow day or simply bringing winter vibes into your classroom, these snow day read alouds will help you build comprehension skills and create memorable learning moments your students will love.
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I’m a K-1 teacher who is passionate about making lessons your students love and that are easy to implement for teachers. Helping teachers like you navigate their way through their literacy block brings me great joy. I am a lifelong learner who loves staying on top of current literacy learning and practices. Here, you’ll find the tools you need to move your K-2 students forward!
