What’s better than escaping into storyland with your kids on a chilly December morning? How about exploring the the Bay Area’s winter wonderland and making some adventures of your own? Pour a cup of cocoa and snuggle up with these titles from Bay Area authors and illustrators. Then, let their stories inspire you and your family to venture forth and create some yuletide memories. Click through to see all of our recommended book-meets-real-life activities!

Let It Snow!

Read This: Judy Moody and Stink: The Holly Joliday
In the first book featuring both Judy and her little brother, Stink (stars of their own separate series), the Moody sibs grapple with a major dilemma: how to make Stink’s dream of a white Christmas come true when it hasn’t snowed in their area in 100 years. A chapter book aimed at ages 5-8, this also makes a perfect read-aloud for all ages.

Then Do This: Lucky for us here in the flake-free Bay Area, this time of year there’s no shortage of opportunities to catch a snowflake on your tongue or slide down the white stuff—even if it did come from a machine. For high-octane snow play about 90 minutes from the city, visit the Dell’Osso Family Farm near Manteca. Zoom down Snowtube Mountain (reservations recommended), take a glittering holiday lights drive, skate on the outdoor ice rink, visit the Country Store for a photo with Santa, and bring home a tree. (Click here for our list of other places to play in the snow all around the Bay.)

501 Manthey Rd., Lathrop
Sat., Dec. 12-Sat., Jan. 2
Onlinedellossofamilyfarm.com

Photo: Janice C. via Yelp

Do you have a suggestion for a book-meets-local-adventure pairing? Tell us in the comments below! 

–Emma Bland Smith

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