“Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life,” by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm
I first discovered this book when we had the learning theme of Fire and Heat in our Kindergarten classroom. Along with learning about dragons, we also investigated how we keep warm and what keeps us warm. Books about the sun were right on topic.
Starting with the front cover, this picture and information book grabs your attention. It is filled with amazing, colorful artwork that represents the light and energy from the sun. The reader can almost feel sunlight radiating from the book. The opening pages of the book read, “I am your sun. Your golden star” and “Listen to me. Do this one thing: Place your hand over your heart and feel. Feel your heart pump, pump, and pump. Feel how warm you are. That is my light alive inside you.”
The text is simple, direct and straightforward, and though the book deals with complex processes such as photosynthesis, it can be understood and accessed at many levels. The basic message of the book is that the light and energy from the sun keeps us and all living things on the planet alive — that we are filled with the energy of the sun.
I recommend this informative and beautifully illustrated book for children from 5 to 10 years of age, and many adults will appreciate it as well. There’s a lot to learn from it.