NPR's Book of the Day: "Daylight is Something to Celebrate in 'The Shortest Day'"

Release Date: January 9, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, host Andrew Limbong introduces listeners to the enchanting collaboration between Newbery and Caldecott Award-winning author Susan Cooper and illustrator Carson Ellis. The focus is on their 2019 children's book, Just the Shortest Day, which celebrates the winter solstice through a harmonious blend of poetry and illustration.

Celebrating the Winter Solstice

Susan Cooper begins by grounding the discussion in the significance of the winter solstice:

"Today, December 21, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere."
[01:16]

This pivotal moment marks not only the gradual return of longer days but also serves as a symbol of hope and renewal. Cooper highlights how, for over four decades, her poem, The Shortest Day, has been a beloved tradition read and performed to honor this astronomical event.

Carson Ellis adds depth to the conversation by describing the book as a "family celebration of the light coming back after the dark threatens to take over the world."
[01:53]

The Creative Collaboration

The heart of the episode delves into the collaborative process between Cooper and Ellis. Producer Samantha Balaban sets the stage by mentioning how Cooper and Ellis were brought together to discuss the creation of Just the Shortest Day.

Susan Cooper sheds light on the collaborative dynamics:

"We've been asking authors and illustrators how they work together or work separately to translate words into pictures for The Shortest Day."
[02:00]

Carson Ellis recounts her initial approach to illustrating the poem:

"My initial response was that I wanted it to look sort of like a Bruegel painting... and I was really daunting. I read the letter and thought, oh, gosh, this is a much harder book."
[02:44]

Bruegel's medieval landscapes, particularly his winter scenes like Hunters in the Snow, influenced Ellis's early illustration concepts. However, after sharing her mock-up with Cooper, she received crucial feedback that redirected the book's visual narrative toward more profound and serious themes.

Susan Cooper emphasizes the deeper undertones of the book:

"That's not really what this book is about. It's a book about deeper and more serious stuff... a lot of dread associated with the cold and starvation."
[03:00]

Illustrative Storytelling

The discussion highlights how Ellis's illustrations transcend mere depiction, embedding the poem's essence into visual storytelling. Before the poem begins, Ellis includes three or four wordless spreads that depict the diminishing light of the year, symbolizing the year’s decline and the associated fears of primitive societies.

Carson Ellis explains:

"The pictures show you not just the shortest day. They show you the way the light gradually gets less and less as the year diminishes towards the end... until the sun comes up again after the shortest day, which is the beginning of hope."
[04:13]

This approach allows readers of all ages to journey through time, connecting medieval peasants' experiences with contemporary sentiments about darkness and renewal.

Inspiration and Personal Reflections

Ellis shares personal anecdotes that tie her childhood experiences to the themes of the book. Growing up in a secular Jewish household, she found resonance in the universal joy of winter holidays depicted in Just the Shortest Day.

"This book helped me understand a little bit the joy of those winter holidays. It's more universal and it really is just kind of light triumphing over darkness."
[05:37]

Moreover, her memories of enduring World War II air raids in England, where candlelight symbolized safety amidst chaos, subconsciously influence her illustrations. This is poignantly reflected in the book's closing lines about feasting, gratitude, friendship, and hope for peace.

"When the bombs came closer, the candle would shake. And it's the obviously subconscious echo of that, I think, has gone all through my writing life."
[06:12]

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a reaffirmation of the book's enduring message:

"People Carol feast, give thanks and dearly love their friends and hope for peace. Don't we all?"
[07:03]

Just the Shortest Day stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit, celebrating the return of light and the collective hope that binds communities across generations.

Notable Quotes

• Susan Cooper:
  "Today, December 21, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere."
  [01:16]

• Carson Ellis:
  "It's a family celebration of the light coming back after the dark threatens to take over the world."
  [01:53]

• Susan Cooper:
  "That's not really what this book is about. It's a book about deeper and more serious stuff... a lot of dread associated with the cold and starvation."
  [03:00]

• Carson Ellis:
  "The pictures show you not just the shortest day. They show you the way the light gradually gets less and less as the year diminishes towards the end... until the sun comes up again after the shortest day, which is the beginning of hope."
  [04:13]

• Carson Ellis:
  "This book helped me understand a little bit the joy of those winter holidays. It's more universal and it really is just kind of light triumphing over darkness."
  [05:37]

• Carson Ellis:
  "When the bombs came closer, the candle would shake. And it's the obviously subconscious echo of that, I think, has gone all through my writing life."
  [06:12]

• Susan Cooper:
  "People Carol feast, give thanks and dearly love their friends and hope for peace. Don't we all?"
  [07:03]

Final Thoughts

Just the Shortest Day is more than a children's book; it's a celebration of light over darkness, hope over despair, and community over isolation. Through Susan Cooper's evocative poetry and Carson Ellis's intricate illustrations, the book invites readers young and old to reflect on the cyclical nature of time and the enduring human capacity for resilience and joy.