Yule
The Funtastic Festivity Booklists compile stories that relate to fun and festive days so that readers of all ages can join the celebration with a good book!
Tomorrow, December 21, is the start of Yule, which is a celebration of the winter season, the rebirth of the sun with themes of light, fire, and life. It marks the longest night followed by 12 days of the fun Yuletide season which later would bring longer days of sunlight.
Its origin is unclear, but the orgin of the name comes from the Scandinvian word “Jól” or “Jul” (meaning “wheel”), representing the sun in the sky. Many traditions surround Yule and it’s the reason why we decorate with twinkling lights and candles as well as why there are so many evergreen trees and plant life all around.
We hope you enjoy Yule and the Yuletide season!
How To Train Your Dragon: 12: How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury, by Cressida Cowell (Hachette Book Group / Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) — Fiction, Prose, Action / Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, ages 7-12.
I Shall Awaken, by Kateřina Šardická; illustrated by Štěpánka Coufalová (Albatros Media) — Fiction, Prose, Animals, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Mystery / Thriller, Teen.
The Magical Wheel of the Year: A Tale of the Pagan Festivals with Activities & Rituals, by Bérengère Demoncy; illustrated by Victoria Ruiz Y Lopez (Penguin Random House / Moon + Bird) — Fiction, Illustrated Prose, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Concepts, Cultural Diversity, ages 7-12.
My Wheel of the Year: A Celebration of Nature’s Magic, by Nikki Van De Car; illustrated by Kiki Kita (Running Press Kids) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Science / Nature, ages 4-6.
The Shortest Day, by Susan Cooper; illustrated by Carson Ellis (Candlewick Press) — Fiction, Picture Book, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Concepts, ages 4-6.
We Celebrate the Light, by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple; illustrated by Jieting Chen (Penguin Young Readers / Rise x Penguin Workshop) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Family / Community, Cultural Diversity, ages 4-6.
Winter Solstice Wish, by Kate Allen Fox; illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (Beaming Books) — Fiction, Picture Book, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Science / Nature, Concepts, ages 4-6.
The Winter Solstice, by Ellen Jackson; illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis (Lerner Publishing Group / First Avenue Editions ™) — Nonfiction, Prose, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Science / Nature, ages 7-12.
The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits: A Christmas Story for Advent, by Ulf Stark; illustrated by Eva Eriksson; translated by Susan Beard (Floris Books) — Fiction, Illustrated Prose, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, ages 4-6.
Celebrate Yule by reading a book!
List compiled by CBC’s resident holiday celebrator, Sommer Wissner. Check out other book lists on our blog.
