Picture Books with a Cozy, Cottagecore Feeling

When I think of cozy, cottagecore picture books, Little Witch Hazel is the first to pop into my mind. Hazel is a tiny witch who helps creatures throughout the forest with her healing skills. There are four stories within the book, one for each season. From raising an orphaned owl egg to helping a troll find a place to live, Hazel brings determination and a sense of duty to every task. There is no big adventure, no thrilling climax. Just a cozy, magically illustrated world filled with simple but endlessly important tasks. I can’t wait until my child is old enough to read this together. But parents be warned, it is longer than most picture books at 96 pages. Pretty much any of Phoebe Wahl’s picture books belong in this category too. If you want something shorter, maybe try Backyard Fairies.

Inspired by the fable of the tortoise and the hare, this story celebrates slowing down and enjoying the journey. Bunny and Turtle are best friends. But while Bunny likes to go go go, Turtle likes to take his time and plan carefully. On a trip up the mountain, Bunny gets impatient with Turtle. But when Turtle has thoughtfully packed several things (from a delicious raft to an inflatable raft) that make the journey more pleasurable. The illustrations for this one are so beautiful. And there are so many charming bucolic details inside these pages, starting with the adorable tea party on the cover!

Right next to the orderly community garden is a patch of wilderness where Jilly and her grandfather forage. Together they look for mushrooms and nuts, and they have adventures birdwatching and observing the other animals who make their home in the wild place. When the town wants to plow down the wilderness to expand the community garden, Jilly and her grandfather must show them the importance of this special place. Not all gardens are neat and orderly. There are big benefits to a little wildness sometimes too. This book not only has the most stunning botanical images. It also celebrates hobbies like gardening, foraging, birdwatching, beekeeping, and more.

Sisters Beatrice and Roo are complete opposites. Beatrice likes all things dark: tea parties in cemeteries, potions in attics, and stargazing, for example. Roo prefers activities in the light, like picking strawberries and bright sunny days. The central conflict of the story is how they will ever get along. But a series of experiences makes each sister appreciate the other without giving up their own individual preferences. The contrast between the sisters is beautifully illustrated with dramatically different color schemes. And whether you like dark or light (or both!), all of the activities mentioned fit into the cottagecore theme.

LouAnn is a bear living in a cozy cottage who wants to make herself a big meal of doughnuts before it’s time to hibernate. She shares her doughnuts with friends who visit, making more and more until she’s all out of ingredients—and she didn’t get any for herself. This picture book explores lessons on friendship and reciprocity through the coziest activity of all…baking!