This is the Sun
What’s inside...
This is the Sun that makes the world go round! From the tiniest animal to the tallest tree, everything on Earth is connected through the circle of life. But at the center of it all is a different kind of circle-the Sun! Through a charming story with rhythmic repetition, young children are introduced to the bright Sun that provides energy for life on Earth. Follow along as a young tree uses light from the Sun to make its own food, then passes its energy along the food chain until it circles all the way back to a brand new sprout growing toward the Sun. Readers see how each living thing in the food web provides energy to the next, over and over again. The vibrant collage art grows along with the increasingly multilevel story. As you read, look for the bug, spider, lizard, fox, and more as they move through each of the pages and build a full ecosystem. This is the Sun gives readers a glimpse into how all the living things are connected through the circle of life-and the role the Sun plays in making it all possible.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the sun so important to everything on Earth?
Can you imagine a day without sunlight? What would be different?
How do you think plants, animals, and humans use the sun?
What are some ways we can protect ourselves from too much sun?
If you could send a message to the sun, what would you say?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage curiosity by asking your child to think about everyday activities that are influenced by the sun. Validate their responses, whether they are factual or creative, to foster a nurturing learning environment. Utilize the illustrations in the book to point out details that might not be immediately obvious, fostering deeper understanding and observation skills. Throughout the conversation, tie their observations back to the narrative of the book to help them connect textual and visual information meaningfully.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the natural world
Explanation: This book explores the journey of the sun and how it supports life on Earth, teaching children about the solar system and the importance of sunlight.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this knowledge by observing natural phenomena, developing curiosity about science and nature, and understanding the day and night cycle.
Example Lesson: Importance of gratitude
Explanation: The story emphasizes being thankful for the sun and the ways it benefits us, from warming our planet to growing the food we eat.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice expressing gratitude for the natural world and the various elements that sustain life, fostering an attitude of appreciation and care for their environment.
Example Lesson: Interdependence of elements in nature
Explanation: The narrative shows how the sun is interconnected with other natural elements like water and wind to support life, highlighting the ecological balance.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the concept of ecosystems and encourages them to think about how their actions affect the balance of nature.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: As the book answers questions about the sun, it encourages a questioning mind and a thirst for knowledge.
Real-World Application: Children can be motivated to ask questions about how the world works and seek out answers, enhancing their cognitive development and understanding.