Solstice: Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day

by Jen Breach, Asako Masunouchi (Illustrator), Cristina Merchán (Illustrator)

Explore the daily lives of children around the world through the solstice—the longest day and night of the year . Just two times each year - at an event called the solstice - Earth leans closest to our home star, the Sun. Since ancient times, people have used the Sun as a timekeeper. They knew that the length of daylight changes in a regular way, and celebrated the solstice as a signal of changing seasons. Solstice imparts scientific and cultural information using the global experience of a solstice as its scientific core, and the descriptions of children’s lives at each latitude as the cultural narrative. It is a browsable nonfiction appealing to informationally minded thinkers aged 7-11. Enhancing the text and illustrations are fascinating infographics about geography, hours of sunlight, sunrise and sunset times, and how the Earth’s tilt creates solstices and seasons. A global event needs a global non-traditional families, interesting facts that crop up in each account (e.g. in the Chinese entry we learn that pandas need to play or else they get sad). Plus, illustrators for each location represent their home countries with authority and beauty.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Nonfiction, Childrens, Science

64 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of celebrating the solstices. In my family, we come together for meals on those dates to honour the cycles of seasons and orbs. It reminds me of the interconnection of life on this planet, of how light and shadow hit us all, and how our world fits into our solar system.

Unsurprisingly, I was thrilled to read Jen Breach's new book SOLSTICE: AROUND THE WORLD ON THE LONGEST, SHORTEST DAY. This book invites readers to experience June 21 at fourteen locations on Earth – from Antarctica to a city on the equator to northern Norway (and places in between). In each chapter, Breach tells the story of a fictional child and how they experience the day – from customs to family events, food, and fun. Each story is illustrated by an artist from that location, and each includes the hours of sunlight on that day as well as a glossary of selected terms. This book is a cornucopia of science facts, culture, and stories about the solstice. It's an ideal way for middle-grade readers and the whole family to celebrate the longest, shortest day of the year.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solstice: Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day (2024), written by Jen Breach and illustrated by 14 different artists representing 14 different countries, is very ambitious. Two pages per country, focusing on a fictional kid in each country experiencing the day as the solstice is celebrated there, each entry illustrated by an artist from that country, with some mention of customs, food, local language, hours of sunlight.

We begin on the South Pole and end in Norway, all light all the time on that day. Other countries represented include Japan, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria, Nepal, Morocco, China, Turkey, USA, and the UK. Back matter includes artist bios, a glossary, index, and there's an intro by the author.

Like I said, it's ambitious, busy, dense with info, hybrid (fiction/non-fiction), but admirable and chock full of information in its focus on global celebration and unity especially in yet another year of endless war and chaos on several levels. We are the world!

I like the Turkey chapter, "Mosques and Cats in Istanbul,” on the street cats of Istanbul.

I like the Argentinian chapter, where locals perform the “Burning of Obstacles and Impediments” at the solstice to do away with all their problems. I’m building a huge bonfire in my backyard right now!

[BiblioBickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful hybrid fiction/non-fiction book exploring how 14 imaginary children in 14 different countries spend the solstice day in June. Starting with a Japanese child spending the winter with her parents at the south pole and ending with a Norwegian child whose family has lived in Longyearben, Svalbard, at least since her grandparents were miners there, each 2-page vignette shows the location on a small world map, hours of sunlight, and average temperature range in both F and C. They also include a few words in the child's language, with most including a greeting, the word for sun, winter, and/or summer, and words for relevant family members. Some of the children celebrate the solstice specifically; others just have a regular day. Countries represented are: Japan in Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria, Nepal, Morocco, China, Turkey, USA, UK, and Norway. Illustrations are done by 14 different global artists with a connection to the location (or culture, in the case of Japan/Antarctica) they are depicting. Back matter includes small artist bios, glossary, index, and source notes. Also includes an introduction by the author, a white Australian living in Philadelphia.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Right off the bat the cover is beautiful. As soon as I got it I wanted to read it. Each chapter is only 3 pages, so while there are a lot of words on each page, it's not long and you can easily read one or two chapters in a classroom a day or with your child at night. The writing is easy to read. Again, while it looks like a lot of text, it reads like someone really is just talking to you so while there are a lot of facts, it doesn't feel like a "school" book. The illustrations are beautiful and I love how they had an illustrator from each country illustrate their own chapter. I love when authors strive for authenticity and this is such a genuine way to do it. My daughter is grown but I know she would have loved this book when she was younger and would have read it multiple times. Honestly, I didn't really care about the solstice. I don't celebrate it. I don't know anyone who does. I didn't even know when it was! But after reading this book I can't wait until the solstice! I would highly recommend this book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Youngsters tend to be fascinated at the idea of the longest and shortest days of the year as well as learning about the differences between the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres. This informative book builds on that initial interest and then goes further. Taking readers to 14 different places on the globe, each of them receiving different amounts of sunlight on June 21, the text offers glimpses into everyday life for the children living in those locations. A small map, samples of the language used to describe family members and the sun, and a display indicating the temperature and hours of sunlight, add to the book's usefulness. Moving from Antarctica to Svalbard, Norway through the text and images, readers will feel as though they've traveled quite a distance while also gaining a whole new appreciation for the Summer and Winter Solstices. I'd have loved this book as a child and would probably reread it often.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solstice shares 14 stories of the June solstice around the globe, from South Pole to North. Readers get a glimpse of summer celebrations, winter festivals, and regular June days. I like how readers get a taste of 14 different cultures; each slice of life depicts a child in a different country and includes words in the country's predominant language and illustrations by an artist from that country. My favorite chapter has to be about Turkey and is entitled "Mosques and Cats in Istanbul." I love cats and I've heard several stories about the street cats of Istanbul from friends who lived there for a time, so I was very excited to see a chapter that featured the same experiences!

Solstice does an excellent job of sharing real-life pictures of life around the globe - daily life AND special celebrations. You can read it cover to cover or bounce around.

[Caroline Gélinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely gorgeously illustrated, richly written and deeply educational book, narrated from the perspective of various children all over the world. The children share life experiences and interesting information from their homelands about life on the shortest day of the year. Scientific facts and geographical data abound on each page, in an easily digestible and comparative design. A true gift for the senses as each mini story contained therein is illustrated by a unique artist.

Thank you to author Jen Breach, the book’s numerous illustrators, Read Your World and 2025 MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DAY for having gifted us a copy of this book.
#ReadYourWorld

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[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a fascinating voyage around the world and learn how children in different countries celebrate the longest, and shortest day of the year - solstice. Beginning at the South Pole where the sun never rises at all, and ending in light-filled Norway, you'll learn about how this special day is spent in a variety of cultures. You'll attend exciting festivals, go whale watching, and even play with pandas. Meanwhile at the equator, every day is the same, regardless of the date. And, each area features a different artist who actually hails from that part of the world.

I can't wait to own a physical copy of this book. I know I'll be reading it at least twice a year.

Many thanks to NetGalley and What on Earth Books for sharing.

[Lynsaroo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every place on earth experiences the solstices a little differently, ranging anywhere from 24 hours of light to 24 hours of darkness. Travel the world on this one special day to meet 14 children in different locations and learn about life during the solstice in June. Each beautiful spread is illustrated by a different artist who holds a connection to that location. You'll also learn a few words in each child's language.
Fascinating Facts:
🔥 In Argentina they perform a ‘Burning of Obstacles and Impediments’ at the solstice to leave their problems behind.
🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey is located in both Asia and Europe.
🪨 Stonehenge has 1 natural, uncarved stone known as the Heel Stone, thats shadow touches the center of the Stone Circle only on the summer solstice.

[Jennifer Ingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cool book and concept. A nonfiction picture book for an audience of any age, really. Each section teaches what it’s like on the solstice in different parts of the world, AND each section is illustrated by someone either from or living in that part of the world. Cool, right? It was so fascinating. I get lulled into thinking everywhere is like here that it’s mind blowing to think some people are experiencing summer while I’m experiencing winter, or some people live in 24 hours of sunlight or 24 hours of darkness. I don’t think I ever could, but I hope I get to see some of these places in my lifetime. The world is amazing.

[Kelsey Vogeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to read to the boys this morning while they colored. It explored and explained all about the lives of children around the world through solstice. The pictures were such a fun way to explain how it’s the longest day of the year, and what others do on that day. My oldest son Dawsyn really took interest in the different cultures and had lots of great questions. It comes out May 6 and I highly recommend it! Thank you @netgalley @pubspotlight and @jenbreach for this advance copy. #negalley #pubspotlight #jenbreach #kidsbook

[Julie Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful look at how SOLSTICE is celebrated throughout the world. Their text, paired with illustrations from artists from each country documented, makes each spread a delight. This book, while in picture book format, is rich enough to reach audiences from infant (adult reader can pick and choose which part of the text to read, or make up their own) to much older readers. (Adults can learn something from these pages as well.) All told in lyric style that draws you in and makes you part of the magic of SOLSTICE.

[Julia Shelburne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, informative book! I loved how this story was told: kids from around the world teach the reader about their location and the solstice. I expect children will appreciate this relational storytelling and learn about geography as well as different cultures. I loved seeing words in so many other languages. Certainly an excellent addition to an elementary school library!

Thank you NetGalley and What on Earth Books for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Look at how 14 kids from different locations around the world , starting from the southernmost South Pole to northernmost town Norway. Celebrate the solstice
Love the Ecuador one / I’ve been to otavalo!
Each chapter illustrated by artists with ties to the region
Panda nanny - retirement goals!
Istanbul Hagia Sophia
Washington state kid is native but the book doesn’t state his tribal affiliation
Illustrator bios at end, glossary, index and sources!

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always fun to see how different cultures celebrate something, and what a terrific idea to show how people around the world celebrate the solstice. It's such a strange kind of day, and it's not surprising that people around the world attach significance to this annual event.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Chrysti Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I enjoyed learning about the different cultures around the world and how they celebrate Solstice. Unique to this book was the average temperatures, hours of sunlight and the pronunciation of languages. It is so interesting to learn about the food as well. It took me time to get through the book as I teaeaeched festivals and the food mentioned.

[Elizabeth Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Solstice" by Jen Breach is a delightful book about solstice traditions around the world, told from the point of view of kids from those cultures. The variety of locations and cultures will make this interesting to adults and children. Great illustrations as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about different customs and things that happen every year on the solstice. The artwork is great, and the information is plentiful.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solstice by Jen Breach invites readers on a captivating journey across fourteen diverse locations, spanning from the frigid landscapes of Antarctica to vibrant cities on the equator and the sun-kissed shores of northern Norway.

Each chapter unfolds a fictional child's unique experience of this special day, showcasing local customs, family traditions, delicious foods, and traditional celebrations. Stunning illustrations by artists native to each location bring the stories to life, while informative sidebars shed light on the day's varying sunlight hours across the globe. A glossary of key terms further enhances the reading experience. Filled with captivating stories, fascinating cultural insights, and a sprinkle of science facts, this book is a delightful resource for middle-grade readers and families alike. It's the perfect way to celebrate the summer solstice (or the winter solstice, depending on your hemisphere) and discover the magic of this astronomical phenomenon in diverse corners of the world.

A recommended purchase for the non-fiction section in libraries serving young readers.

M.R.
School Librarian