
The Shortest Day
Celebrating the Winter Solstice
Wendy Pfeffer(Author)
Penguin USA (Publisher)
Published on 4. September 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
40 pages
978-0-14-751284-0 (ISBN)
Description
The science, history, and cultural significance of the shortest day of the year: The Winter Solstice!
The beginning of winter is marked by the solstice, the shortest day of the year. 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 started moving toward them again. In lyrical prose and cozy illustrations, this book explains what the winter solstice is and how it has been observed by various cultures throughout history. Many contemporary holiday traditions were borrowed from ancient solstice celebrations.
"Using clear, concise language, Pfeffer discusses important ideas behind the shortest day of the year, such as the change from autumn to winter as well as the concept of the Earth's tilting away from the sun.... While appealing to a younger audience, this treatment combines the cultural approach of Ellen Jackson's The Winter Solstice (Millbrook, 1994) and the activities of Sandra Markle's Exploring Winter (Atheneum, 1984; o.p.). Pfeffer uses an easy, comfortable tone for conveying the basic information, and the end pages will provide additional opportunities for would-be astronomers to explore the principles on their own."
—School Library Journal
Simple science activities, ideas for celebrating the day in school and at home, and a further-reading list are included.
The beginning of winter is marked by the solstice, the shortest day of the year. 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 started moving toward them again. In lyrical prose and cozy illustrations, this book explains what the winter solstice is and how it has been observed by various cultures throughout history. Many contemporary holiday traditions were borrowed from ancient solstice celebrations.
"Using clear, concise language, Pfeffer discusses important ideas behind the shortest day of the year, such as the change from autumn to winter as well as the concept of the Earth's tilting away from the sun.... While appealing to a younger audience, this treatment combines the cultural approach of Ellen Jackson's The Winter Solstice (Millbrook, 1994) and the activities of Sandra Markle's Exploring Winter (Atheneum, 1984; o.p.). Pfeffer uses an easy, comfortable tone for conveying the basic information, and the end pages will provide additional opportunities for would-be astronomers to explore the principles on their own."
—School Library Journal
Simple science activities, ideas for celebrating the day in school and at home, and a further-reading list are included.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York, NY
United States
Publishing group
Penguin Putnam Inc
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From First Grade to Fourth Grade, Interest Age: From 6 to 9 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 230 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
165 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-14-751284-0 (9780147512840)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Wendy Pfeffer; Illustrated by Jesse Reisch