Daylight is something to celebrate in 'The Shortest Day'
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, the celebrated 1970s Susan Cooper poem "The Shortest Day" takes center stage. The poem, which celebrates ancient winter solstice traditions like candles, evergreens, and light-bringing fires, found new life in 2019 as a children's book illustrated by Carson Ellis.
The episode delves into the collaborative process between Cooper and Ellis, revealing how Ellis's evocative illustrations—depicting peasant figures against fading winter light—aim to capture the emotional weight and symbolism of mankind's age-old yearning for the sun's return. Through their respective works, Cooper and Ellis weave together themes of community, peace, and hope in the face of winter's darkness.
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1-Page Summary
The Origins of "The Shortest Day"
The children's book "The Shortest Day" is based on a poem by Susan Cooper celebrating ancient winter solstice traditions like candles, evergreens, and fires - symbols of humanity's triumph of light over darkness.
Cooper's Poem Adapted into a 2019 Children's Book
In 2019, Cooper's revered 40-year-old poem found new life as a children's book illustrated by Carson Ellis. Ellis' artwork captures the dread of fading light and anticipation of the sun's return after the solstice, offering hope.
Cooper and Ellis' Collaborative Process
Through letter correspondence, Cooper advised Ellis that her poem lacked narrative, so Ellis' illustrations would narrate the story.
Cooper steered Ellis away from a festive medieval village toward a more serious "deeper" tone. Ellis' peasant figures evoke Bruegel but with emotional depth matching Cooper's vision.
Ellis' Wordless Spreads Depict Fading Light
Per Cooper's suggestion, Ellis begins with wordless spreads showing diminishing daylight before the solstice, conveying growing dread that sets the stage for Cooper's poem.
Winter Symbolism: Light Conquering Darkness
The book explores the emotional weight of winter celebrations across cultures. Ellis notes it helped him appreciate the universal joy of light's triumph despite his secular upbringing.
Cooper and Ellis weave in personal experiences - wartime darkness, childhood fears - into themes of community, peace, and hope amidst winter.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- Create a visual journal to explore the theme of light overcoming darkness by drawing or painting scenes that depict this transition, such as a sunrise or a lit candle in a dark room. This activity allows you to reflect on the symbolism of light in your life and can be a meditative practice to appreciate the cycles of nature.
- Start a tradition of writing winter solstice letters to friends and family, sharing personal stories of overcoming challenges in the past year and expressing hope for the future. This can strengthen your connections and serve as a reminder of the communal aspect of enduring and celebrating the darker times together.
- Organize a candle-making afternoon with loved ones to craft your own candles, then use them to illuminate your home on the shortest day of the year. This hands-on activity not only honors ancient winter solstice traditions but also creates a tangible representation of bringing light into your own life and space.
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The Book "The Shortest Day" and Its Origins
The children’s book "The Shortest Day," written by Susan Cooper and illustrated by Carson Ellis, delves into the ancient traditions surrounding the winter solstice and the universal human response to the yearly cycle of light and darkness.
"'Shortest Day' Poem Celebrates Winter Solstice for 40 Years"
Ancient Traditions: Candles, Evergreen, and Fires Celebrating the New Year
"The Shortest Day" emanates from a poem by Susan Cooper that has been celebrated for over 40 years. It brings to life the ancient traditions that mark the winter solstice—such as lighting candles, gathering evergreens, and lighting fires—customs that symbolize the celebration of the New Year and the eventual triumph of light over darkness.
2019 Children's Book Adaptation of Poem, Illustrated by Carson Ellis
In 2019, this revered poem found a new audience through a children’s book adaptation, brought visually to life with illustrations by Carson Ellis. The book captures the essence of the winter solstice celebration, portraying not only the shortest day but also the diminishing light throughout the year, reflecting ancient fears of enduring darkness and the resurgence of ...
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The Book "The Shortest Day" and Its Origins
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Create a winter solstice journal to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the new one, using themes of light and darkness as metaphors for personal growth. Start by writing down challenges you've faced (darkness) and achievements or happy moments (light) from the past year. Then, list your hopes and goals for the upcoming year, imagining them as the 'return of light' to guide you through darker times.
- Develop a family tradition that celebrates the cyclical nature of seasons, such as crafting a seasonal wreath that incorporates evergreens and candles. Each family member can add an element to the wreath that represents their personal victories or moments of resilience from the year, and you can light the candles together to symbolize hope and the continuous cycle of life.
- Use photography to capture the changing light in your environment through ...
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Susan Cooper and Carson Ellis Collaboration
Susan Cooper and Carson Ellis combined their literary and artistic talents, respectively, to create a unique book, with their collaboration taking place through correspondence.
Cooper and Ellis Illustrated the Poem By Mail
Through the exchange of letters, Cooper provided pivotal advice on the direction of the book’s visuals. She pointed out that the poem itself didn’t convey a narrative; instead, the storytelling responsibility would fall on Ellis’s illustrations.
Cooper's Advice: Poem Lacks Story, Illustrations Narrate
Cooper's insights influenced Ellis’s approach to the illustrations, emphasizing the importance of the artwork in narrating the story. Cooper explained that the poem gave off a particular aura but lacked a story structure, which would be effectively compensated for through Ellis's visual storytelling.
Ellis Considered Depicting a Bruegel-Inspired Medieval Winter, but Cooper Encouraged a Deeper Approach
Initially, Ellis imagined illustrations akin to a Bruegel painting—a portrayal of a merry medieval village. However, Cooper guided Ellis toward a depiction that was rooted in "deeper and more serious stuff," steering the creative process away from a portrayal of mere festivity.
Cooper's illustrations end up depicting peasants that could belong in a Bruegel painting, but with expressions of emotion that resonate through to the present day, ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Susan Cooper and Carson Ellis Collaboration
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your visual communication by creating a storyboard for a personal project. Start by sketching a sequence of images that convey a story or concept without using words, much like the wordless spreads mentioned. This could be for a presentation, a personal video, or even a series of photographs for an album. The key is to rely solely on the visuals to narrate the progression, which will help you practice and understand the power of visual storytelling.
- Experiment with mood setting in your writing or creative work by beginning with a 'silent' introduction. For example, if you're writing a short story, start with a descriptive passage that sets the scene and tone without dialogue or direct character interaction. This approach can create an atmosphere and engage readers before the main narrative begins, similar to how the diminishing light before the winter solstice set the tone in the book.
- Apply the concept of evolving a theme in your hobbies or crafts ...
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Light Overcoming Darkness and Winter Solstice Significance
Exploring the deep emotional connections to the winter holidays, Carson Ellis and Susan Cooper delve into the significance of the Winter Solstice in their collaborative book, revealing a spirit of unity that transcends specific traditions.
Light Triumphing Over Darkness: Winter Holiday Joy for all Backgrounds and Beliefs
Book Helped Illustrator Carson Ellis Understand Winter Celebrations Absent From His Secular Jewish Upbringing
Carson Ellis expresses gratitude for the insights gained from the book, which illuminated the universal celebration of light conquering darkness—an aspect of winter holiday joy he felt somewhat disconnected from during his secular Jewish upbringing.
The Book Reflects Childhood Fears and Wartime Blackout Uncertainties
Personal Experiences and Emotions Weave Into Themes of Hope, Community, and the Desire For Peace and Connection, Even in Darkness
While Carson Ellis initially aimed for a lighthearted depiction, the book took on a profound ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Light Overcoming Darkness and Winter Solstice Significance
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Clarifications
- The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year, marking the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It holds cultural and spiritual significance in many traditions, symbolizing the rebirth of light as the days begin to lengthen again. Celebrations often focus on themes of renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness.
- Carson Ellis's secular Jewish upbringing means that he was raised in a Jewish family that did not practice the religion strictly. This upbringing may have involved cultural aspects of Judaism without a strong emphasis on religious rituals or beliefs. It suggests a background where Jewish traditions and heritage were maintained more for cultural or familial reasons rather than strict adherence to religious practices.
- During wartime, blackout measures were enforced to protect cities from enemy air raids. These measures involved turning off lights and covering windows to make it harder for enemy aircraft to spot targets at night. Wartime blackout uncertainties would include the fear and anxiety stemming from not knowing when or if enemy attacks might occur during these blackout periods. The blackout conditions created a sense of vulnerability and heightened tension among civilians, as they navigated daily life in the darkness, unsure of what dangers might lurk outside.
- Air raid shelters are structures built to protect people from enemy air attacks during wartime. They provide a safe place for individuals to seek refuge during bombing raids. These shelters were especially crucial during World War II when cities faced aerial bombardment threats. The shelters varied in ...
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