Solstice

Using solstice celebrations to take the reader on a journey around the world, this lovely book introduces fourteen fictional children from fourteen different locations as they experience the summer solstice. Whilst those living in the top half of the world have the longest day of the year, those in the bottom half experience the shortest, offering a fantastic snapshot of life around the Earth.

‘Solstice’ is a joy to read. Taken on a trip around the world, the reader is invited to share the daily lives of each child and discover, not only what happens on the solstice, but also something of the similarities and differences of those living in different locations. Each chapter starts with a map of the world showing where the child lives, the hours of sunlight on the 21st June and the average temperature range in addition to a small glossary featuring a selection of vocabulary with definitions used in the following text.

Each child then recounts their day, sharing cultural details about traditions and festivals as well as things about their daily routine. Kjersti from Svalbard, for example, comments on how normal it is for her that the sun doesn’t set and that she can sometimes see polar bears from her windows whilst for Bahasa, living in a city on the equator, the day is the same length all year round. Each section is illustrated by an artist with a connection to that country, making for a pleasing range of styles throughout the book. A section at the end of the book shows photos of each illustrator and offers a short autobiography. There is also a glossary of terms for the book as a whole and an index, making it easy to locate relevant information.

An excellent text to support the science and geography curriculum, ‘Solstice’ is also perfect for browsing at leisure.

Solstice: Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day.
Jen Breach, illustrated by 14 global artists

What on Earth ISBN: 978-1913750770