Winter begins on the shortest day of the year, on or about December 21. On short winter days, children walking home from school drag long shadows behind them. On long winter nights, families eat dinner while it’s dark outside. 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 seemed to stop moving away and then started moving back toward them. They celebrated this day by exchanging presents and decorating their houses with evergreens. Today people still celebrate the winter solstice, not because they worry that the sun will disappear, but because they know the days will get longer again. They celebrate because it’s a new beginning.

In lyrical prose and cozy illustrations, this book explains what the winter solstice is and how it has been celebrated by various cultures throughout history. Winter solstice activities at the back of the book will inspire new celebrations of this special time of year.

From the dust jacket