Summer: A Solstice Story

by Kelsey E. Gross, Renata Liwska (Illustrator)

From Kelsey Gross and New York Times bestselling artist Renata Liwska comes a companion to the stunningly beautiful and lyrical Winter telling the story of a group of animal friends who come together on the Solstice to celebrate the wonder of the summer.

The long summer days are here, and in the peace and stillness of the morning, the forest seems quiet and asleep. But there is always life everywhere if you know where—and when—to look. Solstice is here! On the longest day of the year, friends Squirrel, Raccoon, Bear, Sparrow, Rabbit, Woodpecker, and Deer gather to share the gifts of new light and life that summer brings.

Genres: Picture Books, Summer, Animals, Childrens, Nature, Holiday, Fiction

36 pages, Hardcover

First published May 7, 2024

About the author

Kelsey E. Gross grew up in Wisconsin and lived in New Mexico and California before returning to the Midwest. She now lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with her partner, son, and silly, snow-loving pup. When she's not writing, she looks for owls and other forest friends while hiking and skiing in the woods. Kelsey strives to write books that inspire kids – and grown-ups – to take care of one another and the natural world. Find her online at kelseyegross.com

Reviews

[Kathryn LeRoy]

Wishes to Carry Beyond the Longest Day

From the opening line, “In the sliver of time between night and day,” to Owl’s final farewell, flowing words and soft summery images welcome the year’s longest day. How will the forest animals prepare their young to go out into the world on this longest day and all the days after?

Each wish from rabbits to raccoons and bears to robins sends the young animals with all they need to survive in nature. The lyrical text and illustrations open the door for readers and caregivers to ponder what we all cherish—a safe space, support, food, fun, friends, and family. This is a peaceful story you will want to read over and over. With each reading, you may find another treasure to carry beyond the longest day.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

May you all blaze bright with the Solstice light! Soooo cute. 🥰

[Eadrinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five stars for the illustrations. I found the words a little clunky in places, but its a sweet book about the animals giving gifts to each other as they celebrate the longest day of the year.

I do agree that it could be more informative about what a solstice is for young readers.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book that takes a look into the summer solstice although not as an informative book to give the reader any idea what the solstice is about if they don't know anything about it. Instead it in a sense provides a ritual for those who participate in such beliefs to help provide blessings to children by using the young of the woodland beasts along with light descriptives and symbolic gifts to wish well for that year's crop of young.

The story isn't that bad and does have a bit of a flow to it in many regards since the blessing after having one or two words changed basically acts as a chorus for about half the book. Unfortunately there is a four-page foldout that doesn't really fit in with the rest of the book since in reading order it doesn't seem to fit correctly between the two portions of the book while also not comfortably fitting in with the actual reading at least in my opinion.

Probably my biggest thing about this book, though, are the illustrations. The background and plant illustrations are light in palette while keeping a softness to them that I really did enjoy. Unfortunately the animal characters just really made me not enjoy this book for what it is since although American animals thus placing the background in a place like the States the animals aren't too realistic in some regards. The doe has spots just like her fawn, which is not a trait of American deer, and the rabbit although somewhat bunny-ish in some regards has a really weird facial protuberance as can be seen on the cover thus making the rabbit seem like some type of hybrid creature one has never seen before.

For what it was worth it was okay and I could see this being a nice book to share or take ideas from if you are a New Age believer but it just didn't reach me.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owl and all of his woodland friends return in this follow-up to American author Kelsey E. Gross and Polish-Canadian illustrator Renata Liwska's debut collaboration, Winter: A Solstice Story . Summer Solstice has now arrived—the longest day of the year—and our strigine leader summons all of the animals to a celebration. Each one brings some gift, meant to symbolize a blessing they hope their young offspring will enjoy, whether that be soft feathers for a soft landing or colorful flowers for the ability to see beauty. After much frolicking and fun, the day eventually comes to a close, and Owl farewells the rest with a message of love...

Unlike some other picture books about the cardinal points of the solar year—thinking here of Wendy Pfeffer's four books about the solstices and equinoxes, and Ellen Jackson's similar four book collection—these titles from Gross and Liwska are not meant to be factual or informative. Rather, they offer sweet and simple stories about friendly animals who celebrate these important moments in the calendar. I don't know that I was as charmed by the text in Summer: A Solstice Story, as I was by that in the earlier book, but I still thought it was engaging, and appreciated the way it highlighted the gifts that parents give their children, and the hope they have for their future. The accompanying artwork on the other hand, was as soft and welcoming as I hoped it would be, and had a luminous quality that was very appropriate, given the subject matter. Recommended to picture book readers looking for gentle Summer Solstice stories, as well as to fellow Liwska fans.

[Jessica Kluthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The turn of the season, from spring to summer, is a time marked by changes in nature that we can feel as the days stretch giving us time to slow down and savour, the flowers bloom and fill our lives with colour and energy, and the ease of days enlivens us.

In our house, after many months of winter and often still snowy springs, we so fully welcome summer and celebrate the solstice: when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, summer blazes in on this longest day and shortest night of the year.

I am thrilled to have this special book to read each year, a new tradition.

Told through soft illustrations of a forest teeming with life paired with descriptive, poetic language, this beautiful book brims with wishes for all the young creatures as the set off into the world at the start of this new season! For instance, Deer offers heart-shaped strawberries and a loving with that the young animals will always have caring friends.

Readers will meet Owl, who wakes to dazzling sun rays through the pines, Squirrel, Raccoon, Bear, Sparrow, Rabbit, Woodpecker and Deer and delight in the forest animals’ solstice gathering!

This book lends itself so well to an extension activity: what is your wish for the summer season? Do you share in Rabbit’s wish to always see beauty in nature? Or maybe Woodpecker’s wish for thrilling adventures?

A lovely read, perfect for the solstice, and all summer through.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for gifting this incredible book to my family!

[Claire Noland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owl, Squirrel, Raccoon, Bear, Sparrow, Rabbit, Woodpecker, and Deer gather to celebrate the arrival of summer with its gifts of light and new life. The friends share sprouts, fresh water, flowers, and fruit each accompanied by special wishes for the little ones to shine, glow, shimmer, gleam, and blaze bright with solstice light. They spend the day with festivities as they dance, splash, hop, and savor a forest feast.
I shared this with a group of children the night before the Solstice so that they understood how special the Solstice is. Then, we read it again as the sun set on the longest day of the year after partaking of many of the same activities done by the woodland animals. They really enjoyed the center pages that fold out.
This is a soft, gentle, and breathtakingly beautiful picture book that should be enjoyed all summer long. Highly recommended as a seasonal read aloud.

[Jyoti Gopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the sun rises on the longest day of the year, Owl invites the creatures of the forest to help him “send off the young with gifts of love and light”. In this gentle lyrical story by Kelsey Gross, the many denizens of the forest gather nature’s bounties to offer their young, symbols of a bright and sparkling future. Renata Liwska’s soft, soothing illustrations are a perfect complement to the message of this book, that together, on a day that for many, marks summer’s beginning, we can find ways to cherish the many gifts of Mother Earth and our communities, and that they bring us the strength, the wisdom and the joy to go forth and live joyful, purposeful lives A sweet companion to their Winter: A Solstice Story, and a recommended addition to a home or school library.

[Tonya Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prior to reading this book I wasn’t sure what summer solstice meant, so I looked up the definition. Solstice is the longest day of the year, when the sun is at its highest point and the Earth is at the height of its fertility and abundance. I loved reading aloud the lyrical text in this beautiful story. The gentle tone reminds me of the classic children’s book, The Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown. Soft illustrations of woodland animals celebrating solstice give a dream-like quality that perfectly complements the lovely words. The author has written another book called Winter: A Solstice Story that I can’t wait to check out. Summer: A Solstice Story is the perfect book for bedtime and anytime.

[Lydia Lukidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Kelsey E. Gross returns with a lovely follow-up to Winter: A Solstice Story. A sweet, lyrical narrative draws the reader in to witness the miracles of the longest day of the year as Owl invites the forest creatures “send off the young with gifts of love and light”. As the story unfolds, readers witness all the changes that spring brings. The text is graced with a beautiful refrain that changes slightly on each page, "May you shimmer bright with solstice light!" Children will delight in this book which reads like an adventure but is teaching important things about life on Earth. Illustration by Renata Liwska are equally mesmerizing.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely, lyrical follow-up to Winter: A Solstice Story. Here, summer creatures are busy on the longest day of the year, making loving wishes for each other, whether it's for food and water, a restful place to sleep, soft landings, and other good things, kids will enjoy repeating the phrase "a loving wish" for each of the creatures shown. The focus on bountiful light is also emphasized with a slightly different refrain for each page, and the gentle earth-toned illustrations will appeal to kids who'll surely want to snuggle with this book at bedtime or naptime.

[Tina Shepardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book takes you on the most lovely experience of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Owl and the other forest animals bestow gifts of nature to show respect and honor for the bright light. A huge sense of empathy comes from these animals as well as an adoration for nature's wonders. The language is so lyrical you feel like you are floating from page to page with a peaceful refrain that pulls you forward and illustrations that take your breath away. What a beautiful addition this picture book will make to classroom, homes, and libraries.

[Karen Greenwald · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, dreamy lyrical follow-up to Gross' Winter: A Solstice Story. In this sweet summer story, woodland animals spend the longest day of the year offering thoughtful, kind wishes for their fellow creatures. When reading with children, the refrain "a loving wish" will serve as a conversation starter about generosity, friendship, and selflessness. The illustrations pair excellently with the sense of warmth and light Gross' lyricism creates. A perfect gift destined to become a bedtime favorite!

[Barbra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful softly colored illustrations fill the pages of this book about the creatures of the forest preparing for the longest day of the year. The Owl spreads the message while squirrel shares food with Raccoon who sips from a stream. Bear, Sparrow, and Rabbit all pass on encouraging words. A enchanting fold out in the middle of the book embraces images of Spring. A wonderful book to share with little ones and open up discussions on what the solstice is, why it happens and a reminder of the beauty of the world we live in.

[Dana T]

This beautiful lyrical book takes us on the lovely experience of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Woodland animals spend the longest day offering thoughtful, kind wishes for their fellow creatures. A huge sense of empathy comes from these animals as well as an adoration for nature's wonders. The language is so lyrical we feel like we are floating from page to page. A "loving wish" refrain feels like a warm hug reaching through the pages. Renata Liwska's magical illustrations are the soothing thread throughout!

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming celebration of the summer solstice is filled with lyrical language and adorable woodland creatures. I love that the animals celebrate by sharing gifts of love and light for their young. The gorgeous refrain ("May you all glow bright with solstice light!") is carried throughout, repeating with lovely and lyrical variation. The illustrations are beautiful -- tender and soft and filled with joy. The story ends with a beautiful call to share love with everyone. Highly recommended!

[Lynn Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come and celebrate the wonders of summer with beloved animal friends in Summer: A Solstice Story by Kelsey E. Gross and Renata Liwska. The lively prose sparkles and is enriched by Renata Liwska’s stunningly beautiful illustrations. Fans of Winter: A Solstice Story will delight once again in meeting Owl, squirrel, raccoon, bear, sparrow, rabbit, woodpecker, and deer as they share their gifts for a bright and joyous future. Winter: A Solstice Story and Summer: A Solstice Story grace my book shelves. I highly recommend both.

[Suhasini Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer: A Solstice Story by Kelsey E. Gross and illustrated by Renata Liwska is a lyrical celebration of the longest day of the year. Through soft, dreamy illustrations and poetic text, animals cheerfully welcome summer, inviting young readers to imagine a magical walk in the woods. The clever use of a refrain that changes slightly on each page beautifully captures the book's essence: "May you shimmer bright with solstice light!" This beautiful book is perfect for bedtime and/or classroom discussions about the changing seasons. Fans will also enjoy the sequel, Winter: A Solstice Story.

[Nora Nickum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelsey Gross and Renata Liwska have created another beautiful book about seasons, community, nature, and friendship. A wonderful companion to their first book, WINTER, this solstice story follows woodland animals as they share summer gifts and light. The poetic text is lovely to read aloud with kids, and the fold-out extra-large spread immerses readers even more in the world of the characters and the warmth of summer.

[Josh Stiefel · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the longest day of the year, Owl asks: Whooo will help send off our young with gifts of love and light to make their futures bright? Each forest animal provides a meaningful gift, such as food, water, a place to rest, and more. With stunning soft pastel illustrations, SUMMER: A SOLSTICE STORY is a lovely, lyrical book about sending our young ones out into the world, perfect for graduation season and all year round.

[Jessica Stremer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a warm, encouraging hug. It's the summer solstice - the longest day of the year! Owl and the other woodland creatures gather to offer gifts to celebrate the solstice light. Lyrical language draws you in, with a catchy refrain changing just a bit on each spread. The artwork is gorgeous and pairs beautifully with the text. This book is a must have for any home or school library.

[Tasha Hilderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This warm, bright summer story is a lovely companion to Winter: A Solstice Story. My daughter is a summer solstice baby, so this time of year is particularly memorable and special to me, and I was so happy to see a book celebrating it. On the longest day of the year, the animals are back again, appreciating and sharing the splendour of summer and all the riches nature has to offer.

[Rosanne Kurstedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the opening lines you know you're in for a treat. Kelsey Gross expertly creates the mood and sets the scene for the beauty and wonder of the summer solstice. And of course Renata Liwska's ethereal illustrations only add to mood. Once the mood is set, the reader is introduced to pairs of characters gifting young ones love and light. A beautifully peaceful and soothing adventure.

[Brenna Jeanneret · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy this book was to read! Kelsey Gross' dreamy descriptive language pulls you in immediately. The reader can feel the long yellow rays of sun and the lasting light while the "loving wish" refrain feels like a warm hug reaching through the pages. Renata Liwska's magical illustrations are the soothing thread throughout!

[Namita Mehra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful follow up to Kelsey's Winter Solstice story, this book is gorgeous and light-filled with poetic, lyrical text and stunning soft illustrations that make this book huggable. I love the gifts each creature offers and the refrain. Beautifully written and illustrated. A visual stunner. Highly recommend for young readers and gifting!

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is like taking a forest bath as you meander through the glowing spreads filled with gentle animal interactions. It's so lovely languishing in the lyrical text while taking in the full joy of summer solstice presented. Go on a warm-lighted journey through this book if you have a chance!

[theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this IN the library to decompress from filling out name change paperwork so thank the children’s book section gods.

adorable art, like so so so cute. I read it out to my besties and they seemed very engaged. i recommend!

Definitely for a very young reader, theres like a refrain about thanking the solstice or something which gives me call and response vibes. Hi listener engagement!

[Book Nerds In MN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful illustrations for this wonderful story about animals celebrating the longest day of the year. The only thing keeping it from a five-star is I would have liked to have seen an addition at the end about why it is the longest day of the year. Just even one page that is more educational. That said it's still a beautiful book!

[Stephanie Wildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The longest day of the year is always special – even more so in Kelsey Gross’s stunning, lyrical rendition of this special time for woodland creatures. Renata Liwska’s illustrations capture and enhance the serene, uplifting mood of the story. “May you all shine bright with solstice light!”

[MKF]

Read this with my daughter even though it's for a much younger audience. It's a simple story about animals celebrating the summer solstice. I did enjoy the artwork but wished the animals were just animals and not anthropomorphized creatures.