Winter is only a month away (we're already feeling it here in Boston), and that means it's time for the 10 best winter books of the year! Without further ado, here they are in alphabetical order: Bunny Slopes Written and illustrated by Claudia Rueda Time to tackle the bunny slope! Shake to help Bunny make it snow, tilt to help Bunny ski down the slope, and turn to help Bunny escape a cliff in his path. Is there any obstacle Bunny can't conquer? Bringing grins and guffaws with each turn of the page, readers will find Claudia Rueda's innovative bookmaking as entertaining as the twists and turns of a ski slope—and as satisfying as a cozy cup of hot cocoa. A Dot in the Snow Written by Corrinne Averiss and illustrated by Fiona Woodcock As Miki the polar bear romps in the snow, he spots a bright red dot far off in the distance. It turns out to be . . . a little girl with a twinkly face and gurgling laugh! Now Miki has someone to play with. Together the brand-new friends toss snowballs, have icy adventures, and eventually find their way home to snuggle with their mothers. Wonderfully sweet and spare illustrations capture a wintertime friendship in this warm picture book. First Snow Written and illustrated by Bomi Park Look out. Now look up. From the sky one flake falls, then another. And just like that—it's snowing. In this beautiful book from debut creator Bomi Park, a young girl wakes up to the year's first snowy day. From her initial glimpse out the window to her poignant adventures—rolling a snowman, making snow angels—the girl's quiet quests are ones all young readers will recognize. Little Penguins Written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Christian Robinson Snowflakes? Many snowflakes. Winter is coming. So begins this ever-so-simple story. As the snow starts to fall, the excited penguins pull out scarves, mittens, heavy socks, and boots, and Mama helps them bundle up. But when it’s time to go out, one timid penguin decides to stay home. Filled with waddling baby penguins, playful text, and delightful illustrations, this book feels like a young picture-book classic in the making. Mother Fox and Her Cubs Written and illustrated by Amandine Momenceau At the edge of the forest, Mrs. Fox looks out at her babies frolicking in the snow. Suddenly, the little ones stray too far away and in an instant Mrs. Fox loses sight of them. She embarks on a search for the missing kits, hampered by the dense trees and the deep snow. Can the reader help her find them? Presents Through the Window: A Taro Gomi Christmas Book Written and illustrated by Taro Gomi Pink suit. Moustache. Helicopter. This may not be your ordinary Santa, but it's still a daunting Christmas Eve challenge! There are so many presents to deliver, and so little time. It's a good thing Santa has a plan. He'll just peek into every window and toss in a gift. Done! The trouble is, Santa is moving much too quickly to see who really lives in each house. With interactive cut-outs throughout, readers will delight in following Santa's lightning-speed Christmas antics as they discover the true (and hilarious) identities of the gifts' recipients! Raven Child and the Snow-Witch Written by Linda Sunderland and illustrated by Daniel Egnéus Anya lives with her mother and father in the shadow of the icy glacier where the Snow-Witch reigns. Every spring, Anya's mother journeys to the glacier to pick the blue gentian flowers that grow there. But this time, she does not return. She has been captured by the Snow-Witch and imprisoned in the ice. Anya and her father set off with the ravens to rescue her. It's a treacherous journey, and there is no knowing what they will find; but the strength of Anya's love conquers all; the Snow-Witch is defeated and Anya's mother is saved. Samson in the Snow Written and illustrated by Philip C Stead One sunny day Samson, a large and friendly woolly mammoth, encounters a little red bird who is looking for yellow flowers for her mouse friend (whose favorite color is yellow). As she flies off with the flowers, Samson wonders what it must be like to have a friend. He wonders this for so long, in fact, that he falls asleep and wakes up to a world covered in snow. In the midst of a blizzard, Samson finds and shelters the little red bird and flower-loving mouse in a tender tale of kindness and unexpected friendship. The Storm Whale in Winter Written and illustrated by Benji Davies A follow-up to the best-selling The Storm Whale, winner of the 2014 inaugural Oscar's First Book Prize in association with the Evening Standard.It's winter time and Noi's island is covered in a blanket of snow. Even the sea is icing over. Noi is worried about the little whale he saved last summer: Can he survive the harsh conditions? Little does Noi know that it's the little whale's turn to save him. The Wish Tree Written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Chris Turnham Charles wants to find a wish tree. His brother and sister don't believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways.