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Check it Out: Books to help you stay merry and bright through winter

By Jan Johnston

Published: December 20, 2020, 6:07am

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One of the good things about moving from fall to winter is that the days will be getting longer.

I don’t know if snow is in our future, but we don’t need snow in order to feel wintery. There are many snow-free activities to enjoy during the coldest months of the year. Of course, reading is one of those activities, and I encourage everyone to try the library’s curbside service. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.fvrl.org.

I’ve pulled together a brief list of winter-themed titles for you and your family.

May your days be merry and bright and full of festive fa la las!

“Fun and Festive Winter Crafts: Snow Globes, Groundhog Puppets, and Fairy Masks” by Randel McGee.

Help your family get creative with this kid-friendly, wintertime craft book. Personally, I would totally make a groundhog puppet. I’m sure my cat boys would find a do-it-yourself whistlepig puppet quite entertaining.

“Making Winter: A Hygge-Inspired Guide for Surviving the Winter Months” by Emma Mitchell.

The Danish concept of hygge, all about coziness and comfort, applies perfectly to the winter months. This guide shows you how to celebrate winter without the chill by creating snug-as-a-bug accessories, tummy-warming recipes and other cozy delights for your indoor and outdoor pleasures.

“The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice” by Carolyn McVickar Edwards.

Stories from North America, China, Scandinavia, India, Africa, South America, Europe, and Polynesia retold by storyteller Carolyn McVickar Edwards. It’s a delightful view into how the world celebrates the winter solstice through the magic of the written word.

“Snowbound: Animals of Winter” [DVD] directed by Sally Thompson, distributed by PBS.

This DVD was originally produced as an episode of the television program, “Nature.” Described as showing “some of the world’s most iconic snow animals across the globe, from the penguins of Antarctica to the bison of Yellowstone and the Arctic fox,” this is the perfect way to enjoy snow without actually being in it.

“Winter Gardening in the Maritime Northwest: Cool-Season Crops for the Year-Round Gardener” by Binda Colebrook.

I’ll admit it: I’m a fair-weather gardener. But I know many people enjoy year-round gardening, so here’s a guide written specifically for the Northwest. Home-grown produce is the best, and who doesn’t want to eat fresh, organic broccoli, peas and spinach?

“Winter Living: An Inspirational Guide to Styling and Decorating Your Home for Winter” by Selina Lake.

Selina Lake is an interiors stylist, and in this lovely book, she shares her ideas for making your home a winter wonderland. From gilded pear table decorations to crocheted blankets, pine cone wreaths to fairy light bunting, you’ll learn how to decorate your home not just for the holidays but all winterlong.

Jan Johnston is the collection development coordinator for the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.

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