Around the Wheel of the Year

Celebrate the turning of the seasons with this warm and magical read-aloud, where traditional nature festivals meet the everyday wonder of the year’s changing cycle. Dance around the maypole, share in the summer harvest, savor the tricks and treats of Halloween, and merrily welcome the winter solstice: Four richly illustrated poems highlight spring, summer, autumn, and winter through joyful traditions tied to the natural world. In this fun and educational celebration of the seasons, award-winning author and artist Phoebe Wahl and folklore researcher and popular podcaster Danica Boyce invite young readers to experience traditional seasonal festivities inspired by Northern European customs such as Beltane and Yule. A section of backmatter introduces the historical roots of these traditions and explains how they connect to the year's natural cycle. Families who celebrate seasonal holidays will enjoy discovering their origins, while curious readers will find new ways to notice and appreciate the world around them. Each poem’s rhythmic language and vivid illustrations capture the feeling of a different time of year—spring’s blooming celebrations, summer’s abundance, autumn’s cozy gatherings, and winter’s quiet magic. Inviting and full of cozy charm, this enchanting book is one families can return to again and again for inspiration to slow down, notice the rhythms of nature, and celebrate the special joys of the turning year.