Diana Ejaita

The many brilliant ways the sun lifts, warms, and nourishes the world.

Spanning morning to night, with each spread featuring children in a different country, this book introduces readers to the sun. With short, graceful text and retro illustrations featuring bright, bold shapes, this is a science—and culture—lesson for the youngest set. Beginning in Madagascar, the sun rises over a child in bed while rainforest animals peer in through the window. “Good morning, Sun!” Next is Japan, with two tots stretching from their futons on the floor, ready to start the day. “The Sun tickles our eyes / so that we wake up // and lights our table / while we have breakfast.” At the morning meal, readers are swept to Iran, where a youngster eats at a low table with many colorful dishes. Readers visit 14 countries in total, from Mexico and Italy to Mali and South Korea, each with the golden sun shining in the sky. Ejaita juxtaposes warm yellows and oranges against cool turquoises and blues; each burst of color radiates energy. The science is kept simple yet is still informative (“The Sun feeds our trees / our air, // and our water”). The warmth of the subject matches the warmth that pours from the pages. The characters have skin the (many and vibrant) color of the pages. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Absolutely shines. (Informational picture book. 2-5)

-Kirkus Review… (more)

First sentence: Good morning, Sun!

Premise/plot: Each two-page spread of this new book is set in a different country. (The first spread is Madagascar.) The narrative praises--almost to the point of worship and adoration--the sun, the universal sun that unites us one and all. Each spread takes note of a reason to love the sun, to be thankful for the sun. The book ends with a, "Good night, Sun. Thank you for today."

My thoughts: Reading is subjective. Reading is subjective. Reading is subjective. This one wasn't for me. I didn't care for the illustrations--though you might. I didn't care for the narrative--though you might. I liked the concept of each spread being set in a different country. The book is a love song to the sun. But it isn't just a lower-case, sun. It is an upper-case Sun. While many pages are mostly harmless, I didn't like the ending..."The Sun gifts every one of us with life! Good night, Sun. Thank you for today." It just felt OFF. Again, reading is subjective. Perhaps this isn't a picture book intended to turn little ones into literal sun-worshipers. I'm not saying that it definitely is. I just felt it was odd there towards the end.… (more)