{"product_id":"the-shortest-day","title":"The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper – Winter Solstice Picture Book","description":"\u003cp\u003eCelebrate the turning of the seasons with \u003cem\u003eThe Shortest Day\u003c\/em\u003e, Susan Cooper’s beloved poem brought to life through Carson Ellis’s beautiful illustrations. This children’s winter solstice picture book explores the longest night of the year, the return of light, and traditions that have connected people across generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom fires and candles to music and gathering together, the story travels through centuries of winter celebrations and captures the anticipation of welcoming the light back after the darkest days of the year. It’s a meaningful seasonal read for families who enjoy marking nature’s rhythms and creating traditions of their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Parents Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCelebrates the winter solstice:\u003c\/strong\u003e Introduces children to the shortest day of the year through poetic storytelling and memorable illustrations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConnects nature and tradition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explores how people across generations have marked the changing season with light, music, and gathering together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeautiful seasonal read-aloud:\u003c\/strong\u003e A thoughtful choice for winter evenings, family traditions, and solstice celebrations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCreated by acclaimed artists:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written by Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Carson Ellis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBuilt for Real Outdoor Childhoods\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinter gives families a wonderful opportunity to notice the natural world in a different way—the earlier sunsets, longer nights, crisp air, bare trees, and gradual return of daylight. \u003cem\u003eThe Shortest Day\u003c\/em\u003e gives those seasonal changes a story, helping make the winter solstice something children can notice and celebrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair it with an evening walk, a backyard fire, candlelight, stargazing, or simply watching the winter sun disappear together. It’s a beautiful reminder that outdoor childhood isn't only about warm, sunny days—there is wonder to discover in every season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThings to Know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended age range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–8 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 32 pages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWritten by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Susan Cooper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carson Ellis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Winter solstice, seasons, light, tradition, and community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Shortest Day\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Susan Cooper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carson Ellis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Candlewick Press\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9780763686987\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePage count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 32 pages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–8 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 22, 2019\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy ODSS Recommends It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe love \u003cem\u003eThe Shortest Day\u003c\/em\u003e because it turns one of winter’s quietest moments into something meaningful for the whole family. Susan Cooper’s poetic words and Carson Ellis’s beautiful illustrations celebrate the winter solstice, the return of light, and the traditions that have brought people together for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s the kind of book that invites families to notice the season a little more closely—an early sunset, a glowing candle, a cold evening walk, or the gradual return of longer days. A beautiful choice for winter reading, seasonal traditions, and helping children discover the wonder found in nature’s rhythms.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Outdoor School Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53264239853862,"sku":"9780763686987","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/2912\/1830\/files\/51lG3k1T9_L._SX342_SY445_QL70_FMwebp.webp?v=1790283979","url":"https:\/\/www.outdoorschoolshop.com\/products\/the-shortest-day","provider":"Outdoor School Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}