PICTURE BOOK - The Shortest Day by Wendy Pfeffer

Celebrating the Winter Solstice
Illustrated by Jesse Reisch

2003 Dutton Children's Books
HC $16.99 when first published....  **must add this to my collection, love it

40 pgs.
TPPL 394.261P

Goodreads rating: 3.78

My rating: 5 - gorgeous - words and illustrations

Endpapers: purple

Title Page: Dark aqua with winter illustrations in an oval mid-page

1^st line/s: 
"In late autumn
in the northern part of the world
squirrels hide nuts,
foxes grow thick fur coats,
and flocks of birds fly to warmer places."

My comments:  Use in class....last day of school before winter break this year is 12/19/14.
          This is a wonderful book on many levels. The illustrations are delicious, full of rich purples, golds, blues.  The kind of loveliness I'd like to frame and put on my walls.  The book explains the "shortest day" - the winter solstice - clearly and simply.  It tells of several ancient cultures' discoveries about the solstices. The book ends with two pages of facts and six wonderful activities:  Making a sunrise/sunset chart, measuring shadows, using a compass, creating a sun and earth demo and having a winter solstice party - for kids AND for the birds!  There's a short list of resources at the very end.  I bet there are some cool books written in the ten years since this list that could be added to it (research time!)

Goodreads:  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.