The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper, Carson Ellis
Published by Candlewick Press on October 22nd 2019
ISBN: 0763686980
Pages: 32
Goodreads

Winter solstice is beautifully captured in this lovely picture book rendition of Susan Cooper’s poem, written for the theatrical Yuletide celebration known at Christmas Revels. The poem’s simple words, written in spare verse, belie the warmth and significance of the message. Death gives way to memory, gives way to history, gives way to life, gives way to death, and around it goes again. The cycle is celebrated in words, and it is carried through with lovely illustrations that depict solstice celebrations through the ages and across cultures.

End notes by the author give a bit of history about the solstice and Christmas Revels. For grades K and up. A great addition to the seasonal book shelf.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland