Hello dear friends! Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday! Today’s featured picture book is launching on October 20th…and so we are all getting a wonderful sneak peek…PLUS, because the author, Cathy Stefanec Ogren, a long-time kid-lit friend of mine, is such a fab person, we are also getting a mini-interview with her as she shares the story behind the story!

WINTER SOLSTICE HILL

Written by Cathy Stefanec Ogren

Illustrated by Rebecca Evans

Published by Charlesbridge (October 20, 2026)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Winter Solstice, intergenerational activities, SEL

Synopsis: From Amazon:

A warm, wintry tale that helps kids navigate disappointment, reminding readers that even when plans shift, the magic of tradition can still shine through.

Bundled in snow clothes, Ella waits to join Gramps on her first winter solstice adventure. They go up Winter Solstice Hill, where they will pick a holiday tree and Ella will get to partake on the family tradition for the first time: making a wish on the winter solstice star. But when clouds hide the solstice star, Ella worries she will miss out on this important family tradition. Then a snow storm forces Ella and Gramps to cut their trip short.

Will Ella be the only one in her family to not make a wish on the winter solstice star? Or will Gramps

WHY I LOVE THIS BOOK:
1. I love books that are layered…and this one has so many hooks: SEL (coping with disappointment), intergenerational activities/family togetherness, nature, courage.
2. I love books with lyrical text that weaves a magical web around the reader…Cathy’s writing is so beautiful.
3. I love books where the illustrations fill our eyes…and our hearts…the art is joyous and filled with emotion.

ME: And now, as promised, Cathy is here to share a bit about why she wrote WINTER SOLSTICE HILL. Welcome, dear Cathy! Thank you for stopping by.

CATHY: Thank you for having me, Vivian. It’s a joy to be here…and to share the story behind the story.
Wisconsin. Rural living. Dairy farms. Lowing cows. Cornfields. Colorful fall landscapes. Snow-covered rolling hills. Teaching in a four-room rural school. Gatherings with family, friends, and neighbors.

Those are memories of my life in Wisconsin. We have a joke in our family that I’ve never lived in a house more than ten years because of job transfers by my father and my husband. I was born in Wisconsin and lived there two other times after getting married. Both times we lived in rural communities. I loved the crisp weather and bright colors that fall brings along with the promise of the winter season soon to follow. A few years ago, as the days grew darker earlier and the winter solstice approached, I had the urge to write a holiday story, using my Wisconsin memories. I wrote down a list of ideas and included themes of family, traditions, and new experiences. After many drafts and excellent suggestions from my critique partners. WINTER SOLSTICE HILL came to life. An editor saw potential in my manuscript and wanted to hold on to it. I was over the moon. When the editor went on maternity leave, I had to wait many moons before I was offered a contract. The wait was excruciating, but it was worth it. Rebecca Evans’ illustrations are gorgeous.

ME: Thank you so much, Cathy. I think it’s so valuable for all of us on the path to publication to hear that the wait is often long…and that our patience is often tested…but if we don’t give up…our hopes can be realized!

And, dear friends, here’s a little bit about the author and the illustrator…and some links that will help you connect with them AND purchase copies of this gorgeous book!

Cathy’s Bio:
As a child, Cathy Stefanec Ogren spent her time scripting plays for her neighborhood friends and persuading parents to come and watch with the promise of Oscar-winning performances. As a grown-up, she became a teacher and a school librarian before becoming a full-time writer. Cathy is the author of PEW! The Stinky and Legen-Dairy Gift from Colonel Thomas S. Meacham and The Little Red Chair. She now resides with her husband in New Hampshire.

Rebecca Evans’ Bio:
Rebecca Evans started drawing as soon as she could hold a crayon. She has a BA in visual art from Messiah College, with a concentration on drawing and illustration, and works as an artist and designer. She is the author-illustrator of Alone Like Me and If You Ever Meet a Skeleton.

She has also illustrated many picture books, including Baby’s Opposites and All Will Be Well.

Rebecca lives in Maryland with her husband and their four children.

Social Media:
Author Website:  https://cathystefanecogren.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.ogren
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathyo.likes/
Twitter/X:   https://x.com/CathySOgren
Bsky:  https://bsky.app/profile/cathyso.bsky.social

AND THERE IS A SPECIAL OFFER IF YOU PRE-ORDER FROM CATHY’S FAVORITE INDIE BOOKSTORE (it’s my favorite indie bookstore also)

Pre-order WINTER SOLSTICE HILL @ BOOKERY MANCHESTER

Receive an author-signed copy, a bookmark, and a wishing star craft

Well, as Elmer Fudd used to say, “That’s all folks!”
Please remember that we can help beautiful books become a success if we:
Buy a copy
Review the book
Tell friends about the book (Please share this post on your social media…the share buttons below make it easy)
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their shelves

Thank you all for spending your precious time with us. Fall is a wonderful time for new books…and we have a full schedule of blog posts coming up…Book Birthdays and Perfect Picture Book Fridays galore. And I’ve even started gathering prizes for #50PreciousWords…an author friend, Heather Stigall, reached out to offer a PB Critique…and she asked if I’d be interested in a prize from her agent…and when I said YES (as if there could be any other answer), she connected me with her agent and voila. we now have another agent prize…a PB Critique from the lovely Amy Nielsen from the Purcell Agency. So, if you are an author or an illustrator and you have an agent or an editor you think might want to hop on board the #50PreciousWords prize train, please reach out and let me know…the more, the merrier!