Great Read Alouds: Welcoming a New Year

As one year ends and another begins it is a time to reflect, reset and aspire. For young children who haven’t had many trips around the sun, this is also an opportunity to learn about time itself, the different units we use to measure it and the cyclical nature of the seasons. Check out these wonderful picture books about time and seasons to read with your young ones.   

365: How to Count a Year written by Miranda Paul & illustrated by Julien Chung

While looking back at the last year, why not break it down into different sized chunks? This number-heavy book looks at standard units for dividing up a year, from months down to seconds. It also puts time in kid terms such as how many Friday night popcorn parties you can have and how many pairs of clean underwear you (hopefully) put on.

The illustrations are bright and playful. In the back of the book you'll find even more information as well as suggestions for creatively counting your year.   

Round and Round the Year We Go written & illustrated by Carter Higgins

Higgins celebrates each month and season with vibrant, joyful illustrations. Many of his carefully chosen words contain sounds similar to those in the name of the month. Pleasing to the eye and ear, the verses suggest going round and round the year are as fun as riding a merry-go-round.

“Some things change and some do not, let’s play with all the time we’ve got.” –excerpt from Round and Round the Year We Go.

"Widely shared pleasures and timeless themes make this read appropriate for any number of settings." —Publishers Weekly  

Snow Horses: A First Night Story written by Patricia MacLachlan & illustrated by Micha Archer

It is the last night of the year. Percheron horses Tim and Tom pull their sleigh through the snow-covered town to the delight of young and old alike. The text is straightforward and non-rhyming, but succeeds in conveying the pride of the horses, the excitement of the people, and the peacefulness of the frozen night. The exquisite illustrations, which include snowflake doily-covered trees, infuse brilliant color and light into the frigid scenes. This beautiful book would make a perfect New’s Years Eve bedtime story.

"Evocative artwork and gentle prose from the creators of Prairie Days distinguish this intergenerational tale about a community that celebrates the last night of the year with sleigh rides for young and old." –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Two New Years written by Richard Ho & illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

Learn how one young family commemorates two New Years based on other calendar systems. They celebrate Rosh Hashanah in the fall and Lunar New Year in the spring. While each celebration has its own unique sights, sounds and tastes, they share an emphasis on family, marking the passage of time, sweeping away past troubles and embracing new beginnings. This eloquently written and richly illustrated book not only teaches about specific cultural practices but also encourages an overall appreciation of New Years' traditions that can be applied to your family’s celebrations.  

“An excellent look at varied New Year customs that celebrates multiculturalism in a way young readers of all backgrounds can easily grasp.” ― Booklist, starred review