Cozy books for you and your family to enjoy

As the days grow shorter and time spent indoors increases, many INHF staff members turn to the cozy comfort of a good book. Whether you're hunting for a captivating read for your own free time or need a great story to share with the kids in your life, we've gathered a list of our all-time favorites—perfect for fall, winter, or any season!

Books for any time of year and various ages

Creekfinding: A True Story by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Claudia McGehee

Target audience: Preschool to elementary age

It’s hard to decide why our staff love this book so much — is it the story or the illustrations? It can be hard to find positive and true nature stories from our own backyard and Creekfinding features one such story. The book shares the true story of an Iowa landowner who restores a creek in northeastern Iowa. INHF actually holds a conservation easement on the property where the story takes place! The inspiring story is brought to life by Claudia McGehee, an Iowa City based author and illustrator. Check out her other great nature books including North Woods Girl, A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet, A Woodland Counting Book, Where Do Birds Live? and My Wilderness - An Alaskan Adventure.

The Beetle Book Written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins

Target audience: Preschool to elementary age

Did you know that one out of every four living things on earth is a beetle? Learn this and other fascinating beetle-related information in this book bursting with color and fun! It’s sure to make even the most squeamish person stop and pause the next time they see an insect that might be a beetle.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Target audience: Children, young adults

The Wind in the Willows is a great book to read together as a family, or for a YA reader to enjoy independently. Grahame wrote the collection to serve as bedtime stories for his own son a century ago. With stories of friendship amid the natural world, listeners and readers alike are bound to imagine themselves as the characters. If you like this collection, try Watership Down by Richard Adams which follows young rabbits as they flee their home.

My Double Life: Memoirs of a Naturalist by Frances Hamerstrom, illustrations by Eva Hammerstrom Paulson

Target audience: Teens and older

While high school nature reading lists often feature popular memoirs and non-fiction by authors such as Cheryl Strayed, Bill Bryson (an Iowan), and Robin Wall Kimmerer, this lesser-known work is a valuable, if unlikely, addition. The book chronicles Frances Hamerstrom’s unconventional journey into conservation, tracing her path from a wealthy Boston socialite to a pioneering wildlife biologist in Wisconsin. Alongside her husband, she worked closely with Aldo Leopold, dedicated to prairie chicken research, all while raising a family in the commotion. Any reader will be captivated by Hamerstrom’s passion and left wishing they had been part of her extraordinary, nature-immersed family. If you or your young reader enjoy this story, check out Hamerstrom’s book Walk When the Moon is Full, a collection of 13 stories of 13 full moon walks with Hamerstrom and her family.

Fall and winter books for children 

If You Find a Leaf Written and illustrated by Aimee Sicuro

As you hunt for leaves this fall with a young person by your side, take along this beautiful and imaginative book to get inspired. Using real leaves and playful illustrations, a young girl creates objects using the leaves she finds as the base — a boat; a swing; a mask. Many of the leaves are from native Iowa trees and the author includes instructions on how to create your own leaf collage. 

Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland with illustrations by Elly MacKay

All of Elly Mackay’s books (she illustrates and writes) are worth checking out. Fall Leaves is no different and explores many of the changes happening in fall from birds leaving, shorter days and rain. Children and adults will be filled with the magic of the season after reading this book. 

Chipmunk Song by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Lynette Cherry

This classic children’s book asks the reader to shrink down to the size of a chipmunk and prepare for the changing seasons. Beginning in late summer, you’ll explore a chipmunk’s life as it moves through fall, winter and into spring.

A Mischief of Mice by Christine Matheson

An animal whodunit book set in the fall with fun animal collective nouns and whimsical illustrations… what more could we ask for! A mischief of mice have gone missing and the other forest animals wonder who did it and who knows more.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr

A Caldecott Medal Winner, you’ve probably read or seen this book — and rightfully so. The story is told from a child’s point of view as they traverse through a winter night with their father in search of owls. The peaceful watercolor illustrations and poetic text will entice any curious mind to explore nature in winter.

Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story by Sean Taylor and Alex Morss, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu

In this delightful children’s book, a little boy and his grandma explore hibernating animals together. Young children will love searching for the hibernating animals in the beautiful illustrations and all will enjoy learning about how animals survive winter.