Winter Solstice arrives in this lovely seasonal picture book from debut American author Kelsey E. Gross and Polish-Canadian illustrator Renata Liwska, as Owl invites all of his woodland friends to help him shine a light on this longest of nights. Each of the animals brings something to share, in decorating a beautiful tree, and sharing the light of the season, until their festivities even rouse slumbering bear, who joins the celebration...

Picture books about the Winter Solstice are none too plentiful, so when I discovered that Winter: A Solstice Story was due out, and that it was to be illustrated by Renata Liwska, whose work I have greatly enjoyed in such titles as Deborah Underwood's The Quiet Book and its sequels, as well as Liwska's own Red Wagon, I was quite excited. Happily, I can report that the book lived up to my expectations, with a sweet story about woodland creatures celebrating together, each one bringing what they can to contribute to the Solstice, and absolutely adorable illustrations that feel soft and welcoming. I particularly liked the fold-out four-page depiction of the Solstice tree! Recommended to picture book readers looking for gentle Winter Solstice stories, as well as to fellow Liwska fans. ( )