The Winter Solstice

Jackson, Ellen

ISBN 10: 1562944002 ISBN 13: 9781562944001

Publisher: Millbrook Pr, 1994

Synopsis

Presents some of the beliefs that different peoples have associated with the shortest day of the year, reviews the astronomical basis of the solstice, and explains the influences of ancient customs on modern holidays.

About this title

About the Author:

ELLEN JACKSON was born and raised in southern California. As a teenager, she always wished her feet were small and delicate, and tried to cram them into shoes that were several sizes too small. Later, when she read the story of Cinderella to her kindergarten classes, she wondered how anyone could run in glass slippers, much less dance in them.

Now the author of several books for children, Ellen lives in Santa Barbara, California, where she has gladly forgotten the recipes for dozens of ways to make tuna casserole.

From Booklist:

Gr. 2-4. In picture-book format, this introduces the winter solstice customs and beliefs of the ancient Britons, Scandinavians, Romans, and Peruvians, as well as certain Native American sun ceremonies. Jackson also explains how to demonstrate the earth's tilt using an orange and a flashlight; she connects ancient solstice practices to modern customs associated with Christmas and Hanukkah, and she ends the book with an adaptation of a Cherokee creation tale. Teachers will value the book's multicultural approach as well as its simple, readable text and attractive watercolor illustrations. While the introduction to the science of solstice could be fuller and the accompanying illustrations much more precise, the book definitely fills a niche. Carolyn Phelan

About this edition

• Publisher: Millbrook Pr
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 1562944002
• ISBN 13: 9781562944001
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Ellis Jan Davey