Winter Olympics picture books are a great way to bring excitement and real-world connections into your reading block. These titles introduce powerful themes like perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a way upper elementary students love. They also bring seasonal fun to your classroom while supporting meaningful literacy work.
Each book can be shared in one sitting and offers natural tie-ins to writing, discussion, and social studies. Whether you’re diving into a unit on the Olympics or simply sharing a winter read aloud, these books are a great place to start.
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Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating by Rose Viña
Mabel Fairbanks had a dream to skate, and she didn’t let anything stop her. In the 1930s, she learned to skate with used skates that were two sizes too big. Her determination and talent helped her open doors in a sport that had been closed to many.
This inspiring story highlights courage, persistence, and the importance of following your passion. The illustrations capture the beauty of skating and Mabel’s love for the ice. Students will admire how she never gave up, even when the path was difficult.
This is a great read aloud for lessons on biographies, goal-setting, and Olympic history.
Olympic and Winter Sports Alphabet Books
The following alphabet-themed picture books are packed with facts and fun. Each one explores a different sport or topic through creative letter-based entries. Each page features a short rhyming poem alongside a more detailed informational sidebar. This format is perfect for upper elementary readers who are learning how to navigate different types of texts on the same page.
Students can enjoy the rhythm and illustrations while also diving deeper into vocabulary, sports history, and key terms. These books are great for reading aloud in parts, using during centers, or adding to a nonfiction text set.
A is for Axel: An Ice Skating Alphabet by Kurt Browning
This picture book introduces figure skating through the alphabet, one skill or idea at a time. Students learn about skating jumps, coaches, blades, and more. The rhyming poems make each letter fun to read aloud, while the informational sidebars offer vocabulary and background knowledge.
A is for Axel works well with a wide range of readers and is especially helpful when exploring nonfiction text elements or seasonal sports topics.
G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet by Kurt Browning
G is for Gold Medal introduces students to the history and highlights of the Olympic Games from A to Z. Each letter features a short rhyming verse paired with a detailed sidebar that adds background information, fun facts, and athlete highlights. Topics range from ancient Greece to modern-day legends and lesser-known Olympic moments.
This book is easy to differentiate. You can read the rhymes aloud with the whole class or let students explore the sidebars during independent reading. It’s a strong choice for upper elementary classrooms that want to blend literacy, history, and global awareness during the Winter Olympics.
This hockey-themed alphabet book introduces students to the sport through short rhymes and detailed informational sidebars. Readers learn about famous players, game rules, gear, and the history of hockey. Each letter offers a bite-sized look into the world of the rink, from “A is for Arena” to “Z is for Zamboni.”
The rhyming text and vivid illustrations make this a fun read aloud, especially for hockey fans. It also works well in classroom libraries during a Winter Olympics or winter sports unit.
Hockey Hero by Zachary Hyman
Hockey Hero is heartwarming story that follows Tommy, a quiet boy growing up in a hockey-obsessed family. While his brothers shine on the ice, Tommy prefers the sidelines with his clipboard and stats. But with encouragement from his grandpa and a moment that calls for courage, Tommy finds his own place in the game.
The story explores themes of confidence, perseverance, and overcoming bullying. The illustrations bring the characters and setting to life, and students will cheer for Tommy as he finds his voice. Whether or not your students play hockey, this story will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt unsure or left out.
This is a great choice for character-building lessons or social-emotional read alouds during winter.
Lucy Tries Luge by Lisa Bowes
At first glance, this book may look like it’s better suited for younger readers. However, Lucy Tries Luge is a helpful way to introduce students to one of the lesser-known Winter Olympic sports.
Written in rhyme, the story shows how Lucy overcomes her nerves and gives luge a try. Along the way, readers learn what luge is, how the sled works, and what it feels like to ride down a twisting track. The back of the book includes Fast Facts that build background knowledge.
This is also a great mentor text for writing. Students can study how the author shows what Lucy is feeling, rather than simply telling. Whether or not they choose to write in rhyme, your class can use this book as a model for describing what it feels like to participate in a Winter Olympic sport.
Snowman Paul Olympic Series
These three rhyming stories blend winter fun with Olympic inspiration. Readers follow Paul and his friends through events like figure skating, ski jumping, and curling. Each title includes lighthearted humor while also encouraging reflection on honesty, perseverance, and friendship.
The whimsical illustrations may look young at first, but the stories work well for upper elementary. Use them to introduce character development, spark meaningful classroom conversations, or model writing with voice and structure.
Snowman Paul at the Winter Olympics by Yossi Lapid
At first glance, Snowman Paul at the Winter Olympics may seem best for young readers. However, But its message and structure make it a strong match for upper elementary. The rhymed text offers a clear model for using voice and precise word choice. As Paul competes in Olympic events and racks up victories, students begin to question whether he’s winning fairly.
The story gives students a fun way to explore the concept of fairness and sportsmanship. It opens the door for discussions about honesty, integrity, and what it means to compete. These moments support character analysis, theme work, and inference.
The Olympic setting also builds excitement and creates a natural tie-in to real-world events. Students can compare Paul’s events to real Winter Olympic sports. This book makes a great choice for read-alouds, classroom discussions, or as a model text during a Winter Olympics unit.
Snowman Paul Returns to the Winter Olympics by Yossi Lapid
In this sequel, Paul is invited back to the Winter Olympics. This time, he will not be competing. Instead, he is asked to serve as a referee. Paul takes this new role seriously and begins training with great focus.
As Paul prepares, his friends begin to feel left behind. Dan misses their usual adventures. The neighborhood children miss their games in the snow. Paul starts to wonder if his big goal is worth the cost.
This story helps students explore conflict, balance, and priorities. As Paul reflects on what matters most, readers can track how he changes and grows. The rhyming text supports fluency and offers a model for writing with rhythm and tone. This title encourages rich conversation about friendship, responsibility, and staying true to yourself.
This story follows Kate, a determined young skater with big Olympic dreams. At first, her attempts end in falls and frustration. With help from Dan and Snowman Paul, she learns that hard work and persistence matter more than perfection.
This book models resilience, goal setting, and the power of support. Kate’s story helps upper elementary students reflect on what it means to persevere when things are hard. The rhyme adds a playful tone while reinforcing sentence structure and pacing. This text is also a strong mentor for writing about emotions, growth, and inner strength.
It is also a strong mentor text for writing about effort, emotion, and personal growth.
Whether you’re teaching about winter sports, character traits, or writing with voice, these Winter Olympics picture books are a great fit.
If you’re looking for a low-prep way to keep students thinking, grab my Winter Olympics puzzles. They’re a fun and easy way to reinforce vocabulary, problem-solving, and seasonal engagement.
And if you’re looking for more read aloud recommendations, be sure to explore my full collection of picture books for upper elementary, including even more Winter Olympics picture books to share with your class.
