(2) K-3 Two impish divs’ (monsters) mission is to make Yalda night, the ­winter solstice, “as dark and cold as can be.” Knowing humans always ruin the night with their “silly celebrations,” the divs infiltrate a gathering and try to disrupt the Persian solstice traditions (eating watermelon for sweetness, reading poetry for good fortune), but the people always make do. Merabian’s (The Monster in the Bathhouse, rev. 3/22) text, with its shoutable refrain (“STOMP, STEAL, and RIP APART!”), builds to an apt message, reflected in the light-infused digital illustrations: that even when the night is cold or things get lost or broken, “you can make your bright, warm, happy moments.”

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. On the shortest day of the year, people gather on a beach to build a bonfire and make "a wish for light. A wish for hope. A wish for renewal." The poetic text also includes scientific information about the winter and -- across the world at the same time -- the summer solstice, both further discussed in the back matter. Paganelli's vibrant illustrations embrace rich purples, blues, and reds for dazzling nighttime images that reflect the sense of comfort and belonging that the bonfires represent. A particularly powerful spread displaying togetherness features people passing candles and lanterns across panels highlighting other winter solstice celebrations.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(2) K-3 "For a perfect Yalda Night, you need a pomegranate." No sooner does young Pouya find one than the wind plucks it from his hand. The fruit falls and rolls to Rabbit, who takes a few seeds and then passes it to Bear; who takes a few and passes it to Fox; who shares what's left with her kits. Pouya is sad to miss out on "a perfect Yalda Night" but is happy that his loss is the other creatures' gain -- a selfless sentiment noted by the wind, who rewards him for his generosity. The story's pleasing pattern and satisfying ending will be enjoyable to readers familiar with the ancient Persian solstice celebration and those just learning about it. "Yalda means birth in Syriac-Aramaic and refers to the triumph of light over darkness," and the illustrations, in wintry hues, exude warmheartedness.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024