Beautiful illustrations enhance this nonfiction survey of the solstice traditions and beliefs of different cultures. Very well done. One folk tale included at the end to explain why some trees stay green in the winter. I especially appreciated this while doing a folk tale unit with my some of my students. ( )

A detailed book about the traditions of ancient people around the world on the winter solstice. I think it was more enjoyable for me than for my niece.

It can be difficult to rate a book for children that you read long after your own children have passed the age for the book. I can't say how a child would receive this work, but I thought it was reasonably well written, and the pictures are colorful enough to catch a child's eye. ( )

This book may be a little too long to read aloud in class, but 4th and 5th graders could easily read it by themselves. It would be a great way to introduce learning about the seasons or learning about what other cultures do in the winter time. It is an extremely educational book and could easily be followed-up by an class discussion or a test about what other cultures do to celebrate the winter solstice. ( )