Snowed In by Barbara M. Lucas, illustrated by Catherine Stock, is a cozy historical picture book about a Wyoming family preparing for a long winter in 1915. I happened across a discarded school copy at a book sale and was so glad I brought it home. It is a lovely blend of story, history, and atmosphere.

This book has a special charm for homeschool families because it gently portrays a season of home-centered learning, reading, and family life. If you enjoy books about rural America, simpler times, and the natural rhythms of the seasons, Snowed In is a wonderful find and a natural fit for winter homeschooling.

Book Snapshot

• Author: Barbara M. Lucas
• Illustrator: Catherine Stock
• Ages: 4–8
• Themes: winter, early twentieth-century rural life, Wyoming, home education, family, preparation
• Best For: winter picture book studies, history connections, seasonal learning, cozy homeschool read-alouds

About the Book

In Snowed In, a family in Wyoming prepares to spend the winter isolated on their farm in 1915. Before the snow arrives, they say goodbye to the school and teacher, visit the general store, and fill two large wooden boxes with library books. Once winter closes in and travel becomes impossible, the family settles into a season of reading, learning, and quiet life at home.

The story offers children a meaningful glimpse into how families once lived in places where the weather shaped daily life in serious ways. Winter was not simply a cozy backdrop. It required planning, supplies, hard work, and flexibility. The book also highlights how learning continued even when children could not go to school.

The watercolor illustrations add so much warmth and atmosphere to the story. They beautifully capture the wide Wyoming landscape, the family’s home, and the quiet pleasures of a snowbound winter.

Why This Book Works for Homeschooling

Snowed In offers rich homeschool connections while still feeling simple and restful. It works especially well for:

• History – exploring rural family life in early twentieth-century America
• Geography – learning about Wyoming and the challenges of climate and distance
• Home Education – seeing how children learned at home when travel was not possible
• Seasonal Study – discussing how winter affected daily life in the past
• Literature – enjoying a cozy story that naturally encourages reading, narration, and discussion

Picture Book Activities

Use these simple ideas to turn your read-aloud into an easy winter or history-themed mini unit study. Choose one or two that work best for your family.

• Geography: Draw a map of Wyoming and label important places and features of the state. You might include mountains, plains, the state capital, and any major rivers.
• Home Economics: Besides books, what else did the family need to stock up on for the winter? Make a list of what your own family would need if you were snowed in for weeks or even months.
• Discussion: On the last page, Grace and Luke say they have good teachers and plenty of them. Talk about what they mean. Who were their teachers during the winter at home?
• Poetry: Read and discuss winter-themed poems such as: “Jack Frost” by Gabriel Setoun, “Winter Blanket” by Ada L. Wine, “Little White Snowdrop” by Amanda Turner, and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost.

• Music: Learn to sing or play “Home on the Range.” This is a fitting way to connect the book’s western setting with a traditional American song.
• Art: Talk about the watercolor illustration style and then create your own picture of your family getting ready for winter. Children might include supplies, warm clothing, books, food, and a snowy landscape.
• History Connection: Compare the family’s winter preparations with the way most families prepare for winter today. What has changed, and what has stayed the same?

Discussion Questions

1. Why did the family need to prepare so carefully before winter came?
2. What do the boxes of library books tell us about the family?
3. How was learning at home different from going to school in town?
4. What would have been hardest about being snowed in for so long?
5. What parts of their winter do you think seemed especially cozy or enjoyable?

Final Recommendation

If you enjoy cozy books with real historical substance, Snowed In is a wonderful addition to your winter picture book collection. It offers a warm and memorable look at family life, preparation, reading, and home learning in a very different time and place. For homeschool families especially, it is an easy book to turn into a meaningful mini unit study with very little cost or effort.