Summer: A Solstice Story

Summer: A Solstice Story celebrates the hope for new life that the season of growth always brings. It uses nicely-written free verse and repetition to send a message of optimism and possibility, complemented by softly coloured illustrations that reinforce that wish.

Kelsey E. Gross’s story is more of a prayer for anthropomorphic wildlife in the forest rather than an accurate account of animal transformation over the season. Its first departure from scientific accuracy comes when the normally nocturnal owl sets out on a mission during the daytime, swooping over a glade where young animals and some of their parents are sharing and caring together. On each double-spread, a different animal is given a benediction, along with a gift.

Deer presents heart-shaped berries,

a loving wish

that they’ll always have caring friends.

May you all shine bright with solstice light!

The verses culminate in a two-page fold-out that declares THE SUMMER SEASON HAS BEGUN!

The text is suitable for preschool children who will enjoy repeating “a loving wish” and “May you all shine bring with solstice light!” with each verse. Young children, fascinated with nature as summer beings, will identify with the baby animals, just as full of promise and energy as the children.

The pretty pictures will keep children examining the pages; the soft pastel colours and the anthropomorphic cubs, kits, fawns, etc. look innocent and are endearing. Calgary illustrator Renata Liwska knows just when to drop in a dollop of bright red or orange to add interest to the pictures, too. Swirling, circular lines on the cover page suggest a circle of love.

Summer: A Solstice Story can be a good bedtime story for parents and children to share when it’s bedtime, or it can be read at storytime in a daycare setting as a way to mark the transition from spring to summer.