Sun
by Alison Oliver (Author)
Sun, a sporty boy, reconnects with his artistic side in this gorgeous, joyful celebration of creativity that offers an expanded and appealing model for boyhood. Sun loves everything about playing soccer: the cheers, the competition, the winning. But he feels as though something is missing.
When he sees his younger brother spread out on the floor, creating a wondrous piece of art, he remembers how much he loves to make things. He goes to the beach to think, and it's there that a magical encounter with a fox helps him reconnect with a long-forgotten source of happiness.
Simple words and stunning illustrations pair to show us there is more than one way to be a boy...and remind us of the deep satisfaction of creativity.
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Kirkus Reviews
A boy named Sun has a close encounter with a fox. In this immensely appealing fantasy, the minimalist text takes a back seat to the boldly colorful illustrations. The central figure is Sun, a young boy who is introduced as a “soccer star.” But this picture book is not about soccer—it’s rather about Sun’s awareness that “something was missing.” Observing that his younger brother, Pablo, “looked happy” while “making art,” Sun heads for the beach, recalling that “he used to make art too.” Awaiting Sun are an unexpected encounter with a fox and a rekindling of his creativity, expressed in an explosion of collage-style montages. The spread in which the fox shows Sun how to make art is a fabulously messy composition, colorful scrawls and squiggles in the background recalling Pablo’s exuberant experimentation on the walls even as Sun and the fox build sculptures out of found objects. Feeling “connected” at last, Sun notices that the day is drawing to a close and returns to an undefined “home” (sans parents), where he and Pablo explore their creativity together in a space that has the look of the outdoors but with those vigorous, unbridled scrawls and squiggles again on a blue-sky backdrop. The soccer-themed introduction feels superfluous, as the not-so-subtle message concerns the magic of art and nature. Both boys have dark brown skin and textured black hair. A visual treat for the young imagination. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright 2019 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2--Sun is a star. A soccer star. He loves everything about soccer--the game, the goals, the cheers, but something is missing. He can't help but notice how happy his brother Pablo looks while spread out on the floor making art. Feeling inspired, Sun heads to the beach and remembers how much he used to love making art, too. As he admires the beautiful things that have washed ashore, Sun soon meets a fox who shows him how to trot, dive, find things, and most of all, reminds him how fun it is to create. Back at home, Sun digs right in at creating alongside his brother, and the result is simply magical. This companion to well-loved Moon is a fitting follow-up from author-illustrator Oliver and does not disappoint. VERDICT Simple text pairs perfectly with vibrant and colorful illustrations to tell the story of Sun, a boy who excels at soccer but also loves to create, and reminds us that there is more than one way to be a boy. A terrific storytime read-aloud or a one-on-one selection for a child struggling to find his or her bliss.--Elizabeth Blake, Brooklyn Public Library
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV003000 - Juvenile Fiction | Art & Architecture
JUV005000 - Juvenile Fiction | Boys & Men
JUV002110 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Foxes
Soccer
Foxes
Creative ability
