Whether you got a lot of snow, or only a few flurries, if you and the kiddies are home for the snow day today, that means it’s a perfect day to cozy up with some books. I picked 9 for the inaugural issue of UrbanFamily magazine, including:

Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato |  Ages 2-6, $17
The familiarity of your hometown can provide little comfort if you’re too small to be noticed. In this vehemently New York-centric book, Little Elliot the polka-dotted elephant (you’d think even jaded Manhattanites would notice one of those wandering around) can’t even get himself served a cupcake. But when he meets a creature even smaller than himself, he discovers that 1 + 1 equals much more than 2. Detailed drawings with a retro feel will keep kids lingering on each page long after you’ve uttered the words.

The Lion And The Bird by Marianne Dubuc  |  Ages 4-8, $18
Some of the most touching illustrations of 2014 grace the pages of this book about a lion who rescues a bird that’s been injured while migrating south—and finds himself gifted with a sweet friend with whom to pass the winter. Although the bird is none too sure he’ll enjoy cold and snow, he, too, finds comfort in unexpected companionship, and warmth inside the lion’s mane, slipper, and ski hat. This book has a bittersweet lilt to it, but it’s the sweet that will keep your tykes demanding endless re-reads.

Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill & LeUyen Pham  |  Ages 8-12, $8
A frontier story along the lines of the Little House series—only set up north in Alaska during the Klondike years, just after the end of the gold rush. This tale’s got an unexpected twist: A young girl on her way to a life of certain misery in an orphanage is adopted instead by two burly miners. As she grows and thrives in the arms of her unorthodox family, Bo learns to speak Eskimo, pan for gold, run from bears, whistle, wear mukluks—and finally, to know the meaning of the joy that comes along with becoming a big sister.

Find all my picks here. And happy reading!