Sun in My Tummy: How the Food We Eat Gives Us Energy from the Sun
What’s inside...
Explore the vibrant journey of food from the sun to our plates in 'Sun in My Tummy.' Author Laura Alary simplifies complex concepts of energy and nutrition into engaging, child-friendly narratives. This beautifully illustrated book illuminates the fascinating process of how the sun's energy transforms into the food we eat. Designed to inspire curiosity about science and nature, it's an enriching addition to any young reader's library, encouraging healthier eating and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. The cooking of a healthy breakfast moves from parent-child bonding to an eloquent conversation about energy, the growth of plants, and the miraculous ways the sun’s light nourishes us all. It began with the sun, Who showers the earth With heat and light— Tiny packets of energy. How does a home-cooked breakfast give a little girl the energy she needs for a brand-new day? In gently expressive language, her mother takes readers on a journey into the earth where sleepy seeds are tickled awake and grow into golden oats; into blueberry patches, where green leaves break apart water and air to build sweet sugar; and into a pasture where sun becomes grass, becomes cow, becomes milk. Author Laura Alary’s free verse breaks big ideas into child-sized pieces, making Sun in My Tummy an accessible introduction to the concepts of matter and energy, and how the sun’s light becomes fuel for our bodies through the food we eat. Andrea Blinick’s mixed-media illustrations pair the cozy and homelike with the glowing and dramatic as she takes readers from the kitchen to the farm field and to the sky and back. A concluding Author’s Note shares further information about photosynthesis for young readers. This book is as essential as sunshine; the absolutely beautiful STEM story is as absorbing as photosynthesis itself.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of your favorite foods mentioned in the book, and how do they help give you energy?
How does the sun help plants grow, and why is that important for the food we eat?
Can you think of a time when you felt energetic after eating a good meal? What did you eat?
Why do you think it's important to eat foods that come from plants?
How can we make sure we are eating enough sun-powered foods every day?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use real-life examples of meals that the family enjoys, and discuss how each ingredient is connected to sunshine and energy.
Encourage your child to express how they feel physically after different meals, linking back to the sun energy concept in the book.
Create a small garden or care for a plant together, discussing how sunlight affects its growth and how this relates to the food we eat.
While reading, pause to let your child guess what might happen next, helping them connect the dots between sunlight, food growth, and energy.
Ask your child to draw or list foods they learned are powered by the sun, reinforcing the connection through visual creativity.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Energy Sources
Explanation: The book explains how the sun is a primary source of energy for all the food we eat, highlighting the natural process of photosynthesis.
Real-World Application: Children can learn about the importance of the sun in growing food, fostering an appreciation for nature and the environment.
Example Lesson: Importance of a Balanced Diet
Explanation: Through the journey of food from the sun to our tummies, the story emphasizes the variety of nutrients different foods provide.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to make healthier food choices, understanding that what they eat affects their energy and health.
Example Lesson: Interconnectedness of Life
Explanation: The book shows how energy from the sun is transferred through different life forms, from plants to humans.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand ecosystems and the importance of every organism within it, promoting respect for all living things.
Example Lesson: Science in Everyday Life
Explanation: It simplifies complex scientific concepts like energy transfer and photosynthesis, making them accessible and relatable.
Real-World Application: Children can become more curious about how things work in the world around them, potentially sparking an interest in science and exploration.