Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday!
I know. It’s October. An unusually beautiful one in my neck of the woods with the trees decked out in their best autumn finery. No one wants to think about winter yet!
Except for this beautiful story that will make you wish it was here already 😊 ❄️
Title: Winter Solstice Hill
Written By: Cathy Stefanec Ogren
Illustrated By: Rebecca Evans
ISBN#: 978-1623547950
Publisher: Charlesbridge, October 20, 2026, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: holidays (winter solstice), family tradition, coping with disappointment
text copyright Cathy Stefanec Ogren 2026, illustration copyright Rebecca Evans 2026, Charlesbridge
Opening:
“Bundled in her snowsuit,
Ella waits.
Her fingertips
tap, tap, tap
the icy windowpane
as she etches a star
into the frost.”
text copyright Cathy Stefanec Ogren 2026, illustration copyright Rebecca Evans 2026, Charlesbridge
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “Bundled in snow clothes, Ella waits to join Gramps on her first winter solstice adventure. They go up Winter Solstice Hill, where they will pick a holiday tree and Ella will get to partake on the family tradition for the first time: making a wish on the winter solstice star. But when clouds hide the solstice star, Ella worries she will miss out on this important family tradition. Then a snow storm forces Ella and Gramps to cut their trip short. Will Ella be the only one in her family to not make a wish on the winter solstice star? Or will Gramps help her find a way?”
text copyright Cathy Stefanec Ogren 2026, illustration copyright Rebecca Evans 2026, Charlesbridge
Links To Resources: Winter Solstice Paper Lantern Craft; Paper Snowflake Craft (video); Make An Ice Lantern Activity (video)
text copyright Cathy Stefanec Ogren 2026, illustration copyright Rebecca Evans 2026, Charlesbridge
Why I Like This Book: Despite it’s snowy setting, this book is a warm, cozy read, full of the love between a granddaughter and her grandpa and the celebration of family tradition. Generations of the family have lived on this land. Each spring they plant and tend trees at the top of the hill, and each winter they go up and choose a Christmas tree and make a Winter Solstice wish on a star from the hilltop. It is Grandpa’s farm, but it is revealed in the story (without any heaviness relating to the loss of Grandma) that this is the first winter Grandpa would be alone if Ella and her family hadn’t come to live with him, and this is the first winter that Ella is big enough to go up the hill with Grandpa to choose the tree and make her Winter Solstice wish. But as it sometimes happens in winter, the weather turns on them and they have to go back home before Ella gets to make her wish. Seeing her tears of disappointment, Grandpa kindly tells her, “Sometimes stars hide, Ella Bella, but they’re always waiting for your wish whether you’re on the hilltop or here.” ***SPOILER ALERT (don’t read this sentence if you don’t want to know the end!) From the cozy living room, Ella spots a glimmer of light and makes her wish. (The glimmer is Grandpa outside the window with a lantern that has a star in it – Ella’s star to wish on.)*** Such a lovely, gentle story with a sweet ending. A definite curl up on the couch with a warm blanket cozy winter read!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
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Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
