Knowing that the sun will reach its destination renders its trip—and this book—no less miraculous. Author-illustrator Bob Graham presents this everyday event in a way that will delight children and remind us of the one thing that unites every creature on Earth.
Graham’s sun is delightfully personified, playfully traveling from snow-covered forests to cities large and small, touching birds and planes, kids and camels alike. Finally arriving at Coco’s house, the sun wakes Coco and her friends for a day of snowy fun.
Gentle, soft-lined illustrations catch the reader’s eye, as the sun’s rays brighten each page, inviting us into every scene. Graham’s people may have vastly different lives from our own, or travel paths utterly foreign to us, but his skillful, tranquil illustrations create a sense of familiarity. Precise, poetic text enhances Graham’s illustrations, describing the varied ways the sun interacts with people, animals, buildings and the natural world. Expertly catching minute detail, Graham allows readers to appreciate the unique moments the sun brings to the world around us.
Going beyond telling a sweet story, Graham (The Silver Button, Vanilla Ice Cream) uses simple, slightly vague characters to tap into a sense of universal understanding and knowledge. Even more, he shows us places we may never see—sand dunes and camels, whales beneath the waves—warmed by the same sun that greets us daily.
This uplifting sun story is perfect for chilly-day cuddling, bedtime reading and a first science lesson for the littlest ones. Graham reminds us that, wherever we are, the sun—for a moment, everyday—unites us all. This charming book will do the same.
