Review by Booklist Review
When grandfather Sun retires from planetary duties and father Sun is too busy with other projects, little Sun steps up and steps into his light-giving destiny: "It was Sun's turn to shine." Energetic illustrations capture the impish celestial body with a wispy flame sprouting from the top of his orb-shaped head, and legs as skinny as matchsticks, joyfully embarking on his new role. Sun tries his best but catches criticism from all corners of the world. The mountains complain he is too small, the clouds gripe about the new colors he makes them wear, and the city thinks he is too bright. Constant comparisons to how things used to be dim his light. In a pep talk, grandfather Sun dispenses simply stated truisms: "There are some in this world who will never be happy." "Just be you." Renewed, Sun shines on. This warm picture book will spark conversations about believing in one's own light.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The work of illuminating the earth occurs through a patrilinear succession in this validating work from late creator Anderson (the Little Quack series). When Grandpa Sun retires and Father Sun doesn't want the job, it falls to young Sun, an energetic chap sporting a red vest and a quiff-like flame. But while Sun embraces the weighty responsibility, he faces immediate criticism: clouds, mountains, trees, and city buildings all find fault with his performance. "What makes you think you can light this big world?" says one intimidating peak. When night falls, Sun seeks guidance from his grandfather, who offers wise words: "There are some in this world who will never be happy," Grandpa Sun tells him. "You have to shine anyway." Meanwhile, with Sun away, the mountains find themselves cold, the trees wail dramatically about the dark, and the city oversleeps. Realizing that not all criticism is constructive, Sun returns to do his job--and does it brilliantly. Alongside narration that's poised for those on the cusp of new vistas, ink and digital illustrations have an openhearted sense of humor (clouds are shown perched on swings in the sky), and the portrayal of familiar natural and architectural features as pouters and complainers should generate reader laughs. Ages 4--8. (June)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Although he's inexperienced, Sun tries to shine his small light upon the world when his grandfather retires and his father is too busy with other projects. Unfortunately, Sun's efforts cause dissatisfaction in the universe. The clouds don't like the yellow and pink colors he showers down on them; the mountains grumble that he's too small to shine. Still, Sun perseveres until the wave of complaints (the trees want things back the way they were; the buildings find his light too bright) send him back to his grandfather for advice. The cartoon-style digital art depicts plucky Sun as a glowing sprite, and the irritated objects are humorously anthropomorphized ("Turn it off, my eyes, my eyes!" grouses one of the buildings). Unfortunately, his grandfather's advice--"There are some in the world who will never be happy…just be you"--feels simplistic. Sun's late return after the visit to his grandfather renders the world dark, but when he begins to shine again with a renewed spirit, suddenly everyone appreciates him. This change of heart feels too facile, and some of the logic is faulty: Clouds can be pink, and why does Sun shine too bright for the houses, but not bright enough for the mountains? An unsuccessful attempt at a fanciful empowerment tale.(Picture book. 3-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
