This winter, it feels like my kids have had more snow days and snow delays than they have full days of school!

We’ve been embracing it, though. Yesterday we went snow tubing, and we’ve been enjoying ice skating and lots of sledding in our backyard.

All of my sessions with kids this month and last month have been infused with a winter theme, especially my Rockin’ and Readin’ sessions at the library.

Because the focus of these sessions is on literacy, I always make sure to include a singable story.

Last Friday, I was rockin’ and readin’ at the Harbaugh-Thomas Library in Biglerville, Pennsylvania. We did the singable story “Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?” by Bill Martin, Jr. and Eric Carle.

This gave children the opportunity to work on receptive and expressive communication skills. They followed directions to put their hand to their ear when I sang the repeated phrase “What do you hear?” and then sang the phrase along with me.

I also included the singable story “The First Day of Winter” by Denise Fleming in my recent virtual music therapy sessions with afterschool programs in South Florida. This story can be sung to the tune of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” so it’s easy for students to catch on, it has lots of repetition, and has opportunities for movements so students stay engaged.

While browsing the library shelves recently with my own kids, I found several NEW winter-themed singable stories and wanted to share them with you.

“Walking in a Winter Wonderland” by Richard B. Smith and Felix Bernard pairs perfectly with the song we are all familiar with, and has beautiful illustrations.

“If It’s Snowy and You Know It Clap Your Paws” by Kim Norman is based on the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” but gives it a winter-y twist. Again, this is perfect for early childhood classes and library sessions because the children and caregivers are already familiar with the tune and can easily sing along.

I hope these singable story recommendations give you some creative ideas for a musical experience you can add to your sessions this winter, or to cozy up and read at home!