British author Susan Cooper originally wrote her poem, The Shortest Day, as a performance poem that was part of The Cambridge Christmas Revels in the 1970's.  It has endured the test of time, and in 2019 was published as a stand alone book with illustrations by award winning author-illustrator Carson Ellis.

The poem captures the beauty, wonder, and tradition of the winter solstice and Ellis' illustrations give this book a timeless quality.  From depictions of ancient dance rituals to a modern day family gathered around their fireplace, the illustrations add a layer of depth to Cooper's classic poem.

Perfect for children and adults alike, this edition of The Shortest Day is one that you will return to year after year as a beautiful addition to your solstice celebrations.  Here at Living Earth Center, we have shared this book and poem as part of our Winter Solstice Celebration many times in the past 5 years.  

To quote the jacket flap, "The Shortest Day captures the magic behind the returning of seasonal light, the yearning for rituals that connect us with the generations that have gone before - and the hope for peace that we carry into the future."