The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice

by Wendy Pfeffer

Book Overview

The science, history, and cultural significance of the shortest day of the year: The Winter Solstice!

The beginning of winter is marked by the solstice, the shortest day of the year. Long ago, people grew afraid when each day had fewer hours of sunshine than the day before. Over time, they realized that one day each year the sun started moving toward them again. In lyrical prose and cozy illustrations, this book explains what the winter...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0147512840
• ISBN13: 9780147512840
• Release Date: September 2014
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 8.8" x 9.8"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

How I like this story

(Review from 9 year old girl, dictated to mom) A great book! With a great amount of knowledge. This little book has science and history and is fun. I like this story so much, I want to read it every year while I am a child.

Great Winter Solstice book for kids/family

I was very pleased with this book and it's coverage of the Winter Solstice. I was looking for something to help my 4 year old son understand the concept as well as realize the historical importance of the sun and moon. We celebrate Christmas but are eager to incorporate the holiday of the Winter Solstice as well. Our traditions will certainly include reading this book each year.

A fabulous Solstice book for both religious and secular needs

This book is a wonderful info-packed gem about the Winter Solstice. The technical, as well as the historical and spiritual meaning of the event are nicely laid-out. I would recommend this book for Pagan families, secular school teachers and anyone wanting to teach their kids about Solstice. I particularly liked the end section that lists science experiments, as well as celebration ideas for kids to enjoy. My one critique is that while it is a good book for school-aged kids to read, the text doesn't flow very well for a "read-aloud" book for younger kids.

Interesting and informative

Good piece of children's nonfiction. Provides a brief history of beliefs and enlightenment regarding the winter solstice. Beautifully illustrated throughout. I bought this book to use in my classroom. It has a variety of activities and experiments in the back of the book that reach out to children of all ages. A couple are a little too involved for my second graders but would be great for older children. We enjoyed doing the shadow activity and making the two bird feeders which we hung in the courtyard outside our classroom. I will now look for books on the summer solstice.

With fine color illustrations

Winter begins on the shortest day, Dec. 21st, and changes the lives and habits of all. Shortest Day uses lyrical prose and illustrations to explain the winter solstice and how it's been celebrated by various cultures throughout history. Fine color illustrations by Jesse Reisch create a warm, realistic atmosphere.