Book Review: The Littlest Solstice Tree

I shared some ideas about celebrating the winter solstice with kids, but I wanted to share a cute book on the subject as well. The Littlest Solstice Tree by Lisa Varchol Perron and illustrated by Ahya Kim talks about the tradition of going into the woods to decorate a tree on the solstice rather than bringing a tree home to decorate in your house.

Young Sapling hopes it will be the chosen tree to be decorated, though Ancient reminds it the tall and lush trees are usually the ones selected.

But the power of hope, friendship and the wisdom of children gives this solstice celebration a different ending.

It’s a short, sweet (not ashamed to admit it made me tear up a little) story with lovely illustrations that include people, trees and forest animals. It can serve as a gentle introduction to solstice traditions and a way to contrast solstice and Christmas celebrations.

The author’s note at the end of the book tells a little bit about the winter solstice, which happens in the northern hemisphere around Dec. 21 each year and in the south on or around June 21. It notes that people have celebrated to solstice for nearly 12,000 years and that traditionally greenery might be brought into the house but trees weren’t typically cut down and brought home for Christmas until the 1500s. (Still a long tradition!)

Winter solstice is a great time to bundle up and go for a walk in nature and think and talk about the returning of the light and hopes for the new year to come.

This would be a nice book to add to a classroom collection of winter holiday themed books or to read at home if you already celebrate solstice or want to incorporate a celebration into your family traditions.

About the book: 32 pages, hardcover, published 2025 by Beaming Books. Suggested retail price $18.99.

[Photo: Beaming Books]

Check out the kids craft section on Craftbits.com

Remembrance Day (marked as Veterans Day in the United States) is Nov. 11, and it marks the end of hostilities in World War I. Poppies are a traditional symbol of the day because it is said they were the first flower to grow again on the battlefields, which inspired a famous poem. Let’s check out some poppy crafts you can make with your kids as part of a World War I unit or for Remembrance Day.

This pretty poppy craft from Krokotak just requires the printable, some crayons, scissors and glue. The printable includes the center of the flower and kids can draw the outside as well as adding stem.

Glued to My Crafts has a printable for a torn paper poppy, or you could color or paint this one as well.

Use torn or cut pieces of paper to make these poppy suncatchers from Red Ted Art.

Happy Hooligans has a bunch of great poppy crafts but I particularly like the painted rocks and easy paper plate poppy.

Crafty Morning has a cute poppy craft made with fingerprints, which is quick and easy to do with kids of any age.

Older kids and adults can make these folded paper poppies from Chica and Jo, but they do involve hot glue and floral wire, which can be sharp, so it’s not for young kids. An easier paper poppy that only calls for regular craft glue can be found at Sugar Spice and Glitter. This one also has a printable template to make it easier.

These felt poppies from One Little Project also use a glue gun and a sewing needle, but they’re so pretty I couldn’t resist sharing them for older kids. Add a pipe cleaner stem or turn them into pins to wear for remembrance events. Check out their coffee filter poppy craft for a great option for younger kids.

Have you read?

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