Holidays & Celebrations
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The Shortest Day
In this seasonal treasure, Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper's beloved poem heralds the winter solstice, illuminated by Caldecott Honoree Carson Ellis's strikingly resonant illustrations.
So the shortest day came,
and the year died . . .
As the sun set on the shortest day of the year, early people would gather to prepare for the long night ahead. They built fires and lit candles. They played music, bringing their own light to the darkness, while wondering if the sun would ever rise again. Written for a theatrical production that has become a ritual in itself, Susan Cooper's poem "The Shortest Day" captures the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before - and the hope for peace that we carry into the future. Richly illustrated by Carson Ellis with a universality that spans the centuries, this beautiful book evokes the joy and community found in the ongoing mystery of life when we celebrate light, thankfulness, and festivity at a time of rebirth. Welcome Yule!
So the shortest day came,
and the year died . . .
As the sun set on the shortest day of the year, early people would gather to prepare for the long night ahead. They built fires and lit candles. They played music, bringing their own light to the darkness, while wondering if the sun would ever rise again. Written for a theatrical production that has become a ritual in itself, Susan Cooper's poem "The Shortest Day" captures the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before - and the hope for peace that we carry into the future. Richly illustrated by Carson Ellis with a universality that spans the centuries, this beautiful book evokes the joy and community found in the ongoing mystery of life when we celebrate light, thankfulness, and festivity at a time of rebirth. Welcome Yule!
Editorial Reviews
Based on Cooper's poem by the same name, originally written for a theatrical performance, this cyclical volume offers an alluringly haunting alternative to more familiar seasonal fare-one that is sure to serve as "lights of hope" on a dark season's stage.
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"So the shortest day came," writes Cooper, and Ellis' beautiful gouache paintings depict a world that is pushing against the dark with candles and dance and song. Despite the urgency of the people to push away darkness for light, the tone of the tale is one of hope, anticipation, love, joy and spiritual happiness, culminating with Yule. People depicted morph from early hunter-gatherers to people in northern European medieval garb to a multiracial gathering. They gather in a modern Western home with mantelpiece decorated with menorah and holly, singing carols by the Christmas tree. As precious as sunshine.
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
This lovely celebration of winter solstice blends imagery from the long-ago revelries of northern Europeans with modern-day observations and global traditions...A treat to share aloud, this book makes a unique choice for seasonal sharing, opens discussion about rebirth rituals and holidays that incorporate light, and celebrates hope even in darkest times.
-School Library Journal (starred review)
Now transformed into a picture book, The Shortest Day is a joyful and timeless celebration of the winter solstice that will surely become a classic...The multitalented, Caldecott Honor-winning Carson Ellis (Du Iz Tak?) is the perfect illustrator for this project, using muted colors to accentuate the changing interplay between the sun and surrounding darkness.
-BookPage (starred review)
Here, Cooper's words are perfectly paired with Caldecott Honor artist Carson Ellis's ethereal gouache illustrations. Ellis's paintings masterfully juxtapose the physical world of Cooper's revelers with the spirits and beliefs they are celebrating. This gorgeous volume will remind readers they are a part of the vast history of the world. "Welcome Yule!"
-Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)
The Shortest Day began as a work for the theater...Here, Cooper's words are perfectly paired with Caldecott Honor artist Carson Ellis's ethereal gouache illustrations. Ellis's paintings masterfully juxtapose the physical world of Cooper's revelers with the spirits and beliefs they are celebrating. This gorgeous volume will remind readers they are a part of the vast history of the world. "Welcome Yule!"
-Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"So the shortest day came," writes Cooper, and Ellis' beautiful gouache paintings depict a world that is pushing against the dark with candles and dance and song. Despite the urgency of the people to push away darkness for light, the tone of the tale is one of hope, anticipation, love, joy and spiritual happiness, culminating with Yule. People depicted morph from early hunter-gatherers to people in northern European medieval garb to a multiracial gathering. They gather in a modern Western home with mantelpiece decorated with menorah and holly, singing carols by the Christmas tree. As precious as sunshine.
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
This lovely celebration of winter solstice blends imagery from the long-ago revelries of northern Europeans with modern-day observations and global traditions...A treat to share aloud, this book makes a unique choice for seasonal sharing, opens discussion about rebirth rituals and holidays that incorporate light, and celebrates hope even in darkest times.
-School Library Journal (starred review)
Now transformed into a picture book, The Shortest Day is a joyful and timeless celebration of the winter solstice that will surely become a classic...The multitalented, Caldecott Honor-winning Carson Ellis (Du Iz Tak?) is the perfect illustrator for this project, using muted colors to accentuate the changing interplay between the sun and surrounding darkness.
-BookPage (starred review)
Here, Cooper's words are perfectly paired with Caldecott Honor artist Carson Ellis's ethereal gouache illustrations. Ellis's paintings masterfully juxtapose the physical world of Cooper's revelers with the spirits and beliefs they are celebrating. This gorgeous volume will remind readers they are a part of the vast history of the world. "Welcome Yule!"
-Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)
The Shortest Day began as a work for the theater...Here, Cooper's words are perfectly paired with Caldecott Honor artist Carson Ellis's ethereal gouache illustrations. Ellis's paintings masterfully juxtapose the physical world of Cooper's revelers with the spirits and beliefs they are celebrating. This gorgeous volume will remind readers they are a part of the vast history of the world. "Welcome Yule!"
-Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)
Readers Top Reviews
ScissorsKatie SmithA
The long thread of human traditions and our link to the natural world are beautifully explored here in word and picture. Thank you to both the women who brought this gift to our kids and future generations into being!
Rachel Sterrett
I used this book as a read aloud in my diverse second grade class. The visuals supported my English language learners so they could see some of the vocabulary I was reading, and because the story did not specifically reference Christmas, my students of different religious backgrounds stated what they knew about different symbols of December holidays, like stars, evergreen trees and lights. It was a great book to use in January, because many of the kids could help each other with vocabulary in retelling what they had recently experienced in December with holiday celebrations. I highly recommend it!
Reader338
Purchased "The Shortest Day" to share with the "littles" in my life on the shortest day. They devoured it. After reading through the poem a half dozen times and studying the gorgeous illustrations with forensic intensity, we nicely transitioned into the science behind the variation of daylight hours. It's a great book to share with the littles in your life. I bought five more copies to give as gifts. Such a beautiful way to teach myth and reality.
ccn-houseReader338Ra
I loved this and have just bought some extra copies as gifts for dear friends. Thank you Susan, for all your contributions to children's literature. This is one that will ripple out, touching lots of lives, in small but significant ways.
ArtJulsccn-houseRead
I loved the astonishing illustrations of this book and how the illustrator used the visual cue of moving from darkness to light in the artwork. The text celebrates the depth of the solstice and the connections we all have to celebrate this time of year-the land we live upon, our ancestors, and the traditions that brighten our homes during the darkest nights. A treasure to behold for years to come.
