The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice [Hardcover]

Wendy Pfeffer (Author), Jesse Reisch (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 22, 2003 | Age Range: 6 - 9 years

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 solstice is and how it has been observed by various cultures throughout history. Many contemporary holiday traditions were borrowed from ancient solstice celebrations. Simple science activities, ideas for celebrating the day in school and at home, and a further-reading list are included.

Illustrated by Jesse Reisch.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wendy Pfeffer is the author of many science-oriented children's books, including From Tadpole to Frog and A Log's Life, which won the Giverny Award for Best Children's Science Picture Book.

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; First edition. edition (September 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525469680
• ISBN-13: 978-0525469681
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Earth Sciences

More About the Author

Wendy Pfeffer has written several other books for children,including From Tadpole to Frog and What's It Like to Be a Fish? both illustrated by Holly Keller. Ms. Pfeffer lives in Pennington, NJ. Holly Keller has illustrated Let's Go Rock Collecting by Roma Gans and You're Aboard Spaceship Earth by Patricia Lauber, as well as her own books starring Horace and Geraldine. Ms. Keller lives in West Redding, CT.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars How nature fits into our Winter celebrations December 21, 2007

By Allison

Format:Hardcover

I purchased this book after reading reviews here at Amazon and then previewing the book at our local library. I was looking for a picture book for my 6 year old that explains the Winter Solstice as well as the human traditions with which it is associated. This book fits the bill better than anything else I found, and the delightful illustrations are a nice bonus.

It may come as a surprise to many people that a book about Winter holidays does not mention Christmas or Hannukah. However, this book reaches back farther in time to festivals and celebrations based on natural phenomena that occur in the Winter (shorter days, plants losing leaves). These very early celebrations gave rise to many of the customs that we still follow (bringing evergreens into the home, giving gifts, lighting candles). I love the anthropological perspective (I'm trained in this field), and was thrilled to find the suggested activities at the end of the book for children to make simple scientific observations and hold a secular celebration of the Solstice.

This book would make a wonderful classroom resource as well as a read-aloud picture book to read as a family. It may be a bit too easy a read for children at a 2nd grade reading level or higher, but I enjoy the simplicity even as an adult. I also find the secular perspective refreshing. I understand that many Christians believe the only winter holiday of importance is the celebration of Christ's birth, but this book shows how it is possible to celebrate Winter for it's own sake and to recognize why so many festivals are held in winter.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous Solstice book for both religious and secular needs October 26, 2005

By alexxcz

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and informative March 7, 2004

By ardnam VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.