Winter solstice books for kids serve as a gentle reminder of the cyclical nature of the changing seasons. This collection of Children’s winter solstice books contain illustrations, stories, information, and/or tales about the winter solstice for children of all religious backgrounds.
Winter solstice books can help children learn more about the solstice and the changing seasons. Learn more about the Winter Solstice and fun ways to celebrate click HERE!
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Winter Solstice Books
Each of these children’s books shares something unique about the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. These short stories can help children learn about the winter solstice and the cyclical nature of the seasons.
We have listed these winter solstice books for Children in order of the publisher’s recommended ages. Look them up and reserve them at your local library.
Look for these children’s winter solstice books at your local library or used bookstore. we have provided affiliate links for your convenience.
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Click the title of each winter solstice book for kids to learn more about each solstice book.
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11 Winter Solstice Books for Children
1. Winter Board Book
by Gerda Muller (Ages 2 and up)
This book shares the feeling of the winter solstice within its illustrations. This is one of a series of four books without text, which leads the young child through the seasons of the year. A collection every home should have.
2. One Short Day in December by Lilith Rogers (Ages 3 and up)
This is a fun and friendly story about a deer family who celebrates the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.
3. The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming (Ages 3 and up)
by Denise Fleming (Ages 3 and up)This sweet book celebrates the season on the first day of winter. It is written to the tune of “Twelve Days of Christmas” about a young boy’s adventure in building a snowman.
4. Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven
Become a reflection of the Sun’s cheerfulness and joy by shedding light on everyone and everything just as the sun does with this whimsical tale. There is a recipe at the end of the book to make your own sun bread!
5. Snow Party: A Story of the Winter Solstice by Harriet Ziefert (Ages 4 and up)
This is a fabulous book and a rare celebration of the Winter Solstice. The concept is simple, a bunch of snow people get together to throw an outdoor party. The beautiful illustrations paint a whimsical wonderland of snow and magic.
6. Dear Rebecca, Winter Is Here by Jean Craighead George (Ages 4 and up)
by Jean Craighead George (Ages 4 and up)This book takes place in the southern hemisphere where the winter solstice occurs in June. In this story, a woman explains the solstice to her young granddaughter. She writes an interesting tale about the Solstices and explains how Winter actually began at Midsummer and how the light actually begins its journey back to fullness in the depths of Winter. In beautiful prose with gorgeous illustrations, she shares all the wonders that the winter season brings.
7. Iliana: A Winter Solstice Tale by Walter Fordham (Ages 4 and up)
Iliana is the story of a young girl’s quest for the sun. As the days grow shorter, everyone around her is worried, and no one knows what to do. Determined to save her kingdom from darkness, Iliana sets off alone to find the sun. Her adventures take her to unexpected realms where she encounters magical friends who help her on her way and, in the end, she discovers more than she set out to find.
8. The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren (Ages 4 and up)
This lovely tale is not specifically about the solstice, but it occurs on the darkest nights of winter so I thought it should be included. The Tomten is a gnome that stands watch while the rest of the world sleeps. It is the perfect comforting bedtime story for children of all ages. I encourage you to read this to children to help them feel safe and snug in their beds on a cold, dark winter’s night such as the solstice.
9.The Solstice Badger (ages 4 and up)
This is a beautiful book and a great way to share the story of Solstice! The Solstice Badger is a lovely tale about the solstice that children will enjoy for years to come.
10. The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper (Ages 4 and up)
As the sunset on the night of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, 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. 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.
11. THE SUNCHILDREN: a seasonal thanksgiving for families of the Earth: celebrating the winter solstice by Ancient Amber (Ages 5 and up)
by Ancient Amber (Ages 5 and up)In the light of the forest live the sun children. These special children anticipate the change of each season. Join them as they celebrate the beginning of Winter.
12. The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer (Ages 6 and up)
This book explains what the winter solstice is and how it has been observed by various cultures throughout history.
13. The Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson (Ages 6 and up)
This book introduces the winter solstice customs and beliefs of the ancient Britons, Scandinavians, Romans, and Peruvians, as well as certain Native American sun ceremonies. My favorite part about this book is the mention of which aspects of these ancient traditions are celebrated today and why.
14. The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice by Carolyn McVickar Edwards (Ages 8 and up)
14. This book retells twelve traditional tales—from North America, China, Scandinavia, India, Africa, South America, Europe, and Polynesia—that honor the winter solstice. These are stories that will renew our wonder of the miracle of rebirth and the power of transition from darkness into light.
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Children’s Books about the Winter Solstice
Each of these winter solstice books shares something about the shortest day of the year. 
I hope that they help your children understand the season of winter, the cyclical nature of the seasons, and the connection that we all share.
Learn more about the winter solstice in winter solstice traditions! You might also be interested in our winter bucket list filled with fun activities!
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
Thank you, thank you! We celebrate the Winter Solstice but I’ve had a hard time finding any books. This list is fantastic!
You are very welcome! I’m so glad you like them. I’ve visited your blog and liked what I found there about your homeschooling journey. We are only just beginning our unschooling journey and I found some useful resources through you. Thank you in return. 🙂
Lucia and the light and The Snow Tree are also good ones.
Thanks Cole! I ALWAYS appreciate hearing about other good books. I will have a look at them and add them if I like them 🙂