The Shortest Day

In this seasonal treasure, Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper's beloved poem heralds the winter solstice, illuminated by the stunningly resonant illustrations of Caldecott Honoree Carson Ellis.

So the shortest day came, and the year died . . .

As the sun sets on the shortest day of the year, early ancestors gather, preparing for the long night ahead. They light fires and candles. They play music, bringing their own light into the darkness while wondering if the sun will 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 return of the light, the desire for tradition that connects us to generations past—and the hope for peace that we carry into the future.

With rich illustrations by Carson Ellis that span centuries in their universal appeal, this beautiful book evokes the joy and community found in life's ongoing mysteries as we celebrate light, gratitude, and festivity at a time of rebirth. Welcome Yule!