Cow and Sow by Matthew Farina, illustrated by Doug Salati (Tundra Books, 48 pages, ages 3-7). Cabin fever hits Cow and Sow as winter drags on, so one day they decide to head outside for a walk to the pond. When Cow slips and winds up on the ice, the two friends discover the fun of gliding on the pond. The next day they bring some friends, and soon everyone is enjoying some winter fun until Cow and Sow get into an argument about who invented a special jump. As the other animals join in the debate, the ice gives way, and Cow plunges into the water. After rescuing her, the friends agree that it was a silly argument and decide to name the jump after both of them, the Sow-Cow.

While Doug Salati won his Caldecott for a book that celebrates summer, this one extols the joys of winter. The story is perfect for preschoolers whether you’re focusing on winter, friendship, or what’s most important in life. You can wrap it up by showing a video of a skater performing a Salchow jump, which I’m pretty sure was the inspiration for the Sow-Cow.

I Wonder If I’m Growing by Raffi, illustrated by Jon Klassen (Tundra Books, 44 pages, ages 3-7). 50 years after its first release, Raffi’s song is given new life with Jon Klassen’s illustrated version. For the first half of the book, readers only see the narrator’s eyes as he peers over the top of the table, bathtub, bathroom mirror, and car window. When his mom tells him to wash his hands in the second half, he realizes he can reach the tap, and his surprised mouth is visible in the mirror. We then get to see him smiling in the car, in the tub, and finally, in bed.

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a Raffi song (we were a Wee Sing family), but I went back and listened to this one after reading the book. It’s a brief, gentle tune that kids will relate to, and it would be fun to listen to while enjoying Klassen’s illustrations. He does a masterful job of conveying a whole series of emotions through the narrator’s eyes only, and in the second half, his surprised mouth and smile.