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The Shortest Day
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
19 posts | 7 read | 4 to read
In this seasonal treasure, Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper's beloved poem heralds the winter solstice, illuminated by Caldecott Honoree Carson Ellis's strikingly resonant illustrations. So the shortest day came, and the year died . . . As the sun set on the shortest day of the year, early people would gather to prepare for the long night ahead. They built fires and lit candles. They played music, bringing their own light to the darkness, while wondering if the sun would ever rise again. Written for a theatrical production that has become a ritual in itself, Susan Cooper's poem "The Shortest Day" captures the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before -- and the hope for peace that we carry into the future. Richly illustrated by Carson Ellis with a universality that spans the centuries, this beautiful book evokes the joy and community found in the ongoing mystery of life when we celebrate light, thankfulness, and festivity at a time of rebirth. Welcome Yule!
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ZTReader
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper

“And everywhere down the centuries of the snow white world Came people singing, dancing, To Drive the dark away”.

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ZTReader
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper celebrates the winter solstice, where the longest night gives way to the return of light. Through lyrical prose and vivid imagery, Cooper explores themes of renewal and the cyclical nature of life, drawing on ancient traditions. This book reminds readers of the enduring connection between nature and humanity.

review
ZTReader
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
Pickpick

Susan Cooper‘s The Shortest Day celebrates the winter solstice, focusing on themes of darkness, light, and renewal. Through poetic prose and vivid imagery, Cooper emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the hope that comes with the return of the sun. The book reflects the connection between nature, culture, and the human experience.

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Chloeeberlein
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper

“So the shortest day came, and the year died…“

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Chloeeberlein
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper

Celebrate the return of light on the shortest day of the year! The Shortest Day is a beautiful, poetic story that brings to life the winter solstice and the joy of brighter days ahead. Perfect for reading as winter begins.

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Chloeeberlein
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
Pickpick

This book celebrates the winter solstice and the return of light after the darkest day. With poetic language and stunning artwork, it captures the joy and hope that comes with each new year. It‘s a lovely read for children and families, connecting them to ancient traditions and the wonder of seasonal change.

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forestandcrow
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
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Pickpick

I have read this story to my kiddo every yule. She loves it. We made orange slice garland and gave an offering to Skadi and Frigg for a blessed year. ❤️

wanderinglynn What a lovely tradition! ❄️ 12mo
BennettBookworm This is so beautiful! I just bought a children‘s book called ON the Shortest Day with the same intent! 12mo
12 likes2 comments
review
StaceGhost
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
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Pickpick

My #wintersolstice started with cinnamon rolls & a lovely #yuleswap from @Chrissyreadit ❤️❄️ the shiny paper entertained Eliot & Elinor all day ✨🎁 spent some time writing last minute cards, did a yearly forecast tarot reading, & then ended by making garlands with dried oranges, cranberries, popcorn, & cinnamon sticks🎄it may have been the shortest day, but it was very full 🥰 #woty

Chrissyreadit ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 2y
MoonWitch94 Solstice Blessings to you!!! 💙🕯️🌲 2y
35 likes2 comments
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MoonWitch94
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
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Winter Solstice Blessings to you all! May the return to the light bring you all peace, comfort, and cozy vibes. #SolsticeBlessings #WinterSolstice #ReturntotheLight #WinterisHere #ComfyCozy

AllDebooks Beautiful ❤️ 2y
Chrissyreadit Yes! We did all of the above! 2y
49 likes2 comments
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bnp
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
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Blessed solstice everyone.

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Chrissyreadit
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
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On the 2nd day of Yule I am sharing a book with the poem written by Susan Cooper- one of my favorite authors of all time.

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MoonWitch94
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
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My #WinterSolsticeSwap package delivery has been delayed until Monday 12/20 😭 I‘m very sorry @StaceGhost & I‘m not opening mine until yours arrives. I mailed it in plenty of time, but its still delayed. I‘m so frustrated. I will keep checking, maybe it will come tomorrow & be a Yule/Solstice miracle!

StaceGhost Awww! No worries! Traditional solstice isn‘t until the 21st anyway, right? So technically you‘re a day early! 😉 3y
Chrissyreadit 😢 yes @StaceGhost it can arrive for Solstice ♥️ @Gissy I keep hoping mail will get better everywhere- but you‘re not alone with mail stuff- there are quite a few places it‘s slow. 3y
StaceGhost I was thinking: you should open your gifts! Half the fun of the swap is seeing how the other person likes their stuff! Let me know if you decide to— slow postage isn‘t your fault so I say celebrate Yule and open them ;) 3y
MoonWitch94 @StaceGhost My tracking says it‘s “out for delivery “ 🚚 So you should have it soon! I will open tonight ❤️🎄 3y
StaceGhost @MoonWitch94 Yay! I really hope you like it! 3y
42 likes5 comments
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Chrissyreadit
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
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You all are the best! 100% of packages are shipped! Can‘t wait to see posts as they are delivered and opened on Saturday! If anyone is preparing a celebration please share pictures! I love to see what everyone is doing 🤍❄️🤍
#wintersolsticeswap

TheBookHippie 🤍🤍🤍 3y
BookBosomed1 Thanks for hosting. I‘m so excited for this swap. 3y
AmyG I am very excited to open mine. Thank you and @sprainedbrain so very much. And....both your packages are in postal limbo. I am so sorry...it‘s making me nuts, but what can I do. My guess is they will arrive in Jan as this happened to some of my packages last year. Wishing you both a Happy Solstice...and a happy holiday. 😘 (edited) 3y
See All 18 Comments
kellyann28 Wonderful swap! Thank you for hosting, I can't wait to open! ❤ 3y
Bookgoil So excited do I open before or after my MRI? 🤣 3y
Chrissyreadit @AmyG you are always so thoughtful and generous 😘😘😘😘 3y
Chrissyreadit @Bookgoil that is a tough decision…. Open first to chill or wait and anticipate… either way I hope it‘s a fast easy procedure. 3y
Mitch I‘m so excited to be celebrating communally with you all xxx 3y
TheBookKeepers Thanks for hosting! Our family will be flooding our house come Friday and I‘m so excited 🤗 I got my package in and have it under my tree ready to go! Also the 16th is my bday so it‘s just a celebratory week for me! 3y
melissajayne Still waiting on my package, but little I can do about that; may have to open next week or the week after, depending on when it gets delivered to me (where I am, we had a massive flood in the area and washed out highways and then you add in the holiday rush; had to wait several days for a book for the swap that was in a transfer station b4 I could get it, which I eventually did get). (edited) 3y
Chrissyreadit @melissajayne yes the weather is wreaking havoc in some areas. I‘m worried and sad for what happened with the tornadoes! All those peoples lives devastated. And I do think about how will they get life saving mail like prescriptions that are delivered, and other needs. I‘m glad you are safe and I‘m sure will get a very nice package. I know about 1/2 of our participants will receive theirs in the next 2-3 days. To me this is the fun part ♥️ 3y
MeganAnn Tracking on the box I sent to my match says it was delivered last night so hopefully they have it. No post confirmation yet, but they may be busy. 3y
Bookgoil @Chrissyreadit I‘m going to see my other plans for the day and decide that way 3y
KatieDid927 Oh shizzle, that reminds me I received mine last night but forgot to post it! Sorry @MeganAnn , will do that now. It got in kind of late last night and I‘ve been busy with work today. 3y
MeganAnn @KatieDid927 no worries! I saw it was delivered pretty late in the day and figured you might be busy this morning. I hope you like everything inside! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Can't wait to see what goodies are in mine!!! 3y
bridge12 Yeah! So excited, I‘m doing a Yule burning with my ladies 3y
Avanders Oh my gosh, it felt like so long and now all of a sudden it‘s here! ❄️❄️❄️ 3y
76 likes18 comments
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Palimpsest
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
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Read these two books tonight with my son. Happy Solstice, everyone!

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VioletBramble
The Shortest Day | Susan Cooper
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So the shortest day came, and the world died, and everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world came people singing, dancing, to drive away the dark. They lighted candles in the winter trees; they hung their homes with evergreen; they burned beseeching fires all night long to keep the year alive. And when the new year‘s sunshine blazed awake they shouted, reveling.

I ordered this book for Winter Solstice. It arrived in March. Beautiful.

MynameisSnow Pretty 4y
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