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Discover America State By State
S Is for Sunflower: A Kansas Alphabet
Nicknamed the world's breadbasket, the contributions from the great state of Kansas reverberate far beyond its borders. Kansas has given us leaders in politics (Dwight D. Eisenhower), aviation (Amelia Earhart); and sports (Wilt Chamberlain); leads our nation in wheat production; and fuels our Hollywood image of the wild West (Dodge City). From A-Z, S is for Sunflower explores the broad plain of history and people that make up the state of Kansas.
Born a few miles and a few months apart, Corey and Devin Scillian would meet 17 years later at Junction City Senior High School. Both graduates of the University of Kansas, Corey is a ceramic artist and Devin anchors the news for the NBC affiliate in Detroit. Devin's other children's books include Cosmo's Moon, P is for Passport: A World Alphabet, and the national bestseller A is for America: An American Alphabet. The authors live in Michigan with their four children.
A graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio, Doug Bowles has been a freelance illustrator for 20 years. In addition to Doug's illustrations for children, he enjoys working with a wide range of clients in the advertising, corporate, and editorial communities. His work has been selected many times in the Society of Illustrators West competition, and he has had several gallery showings. Doug lives in Leawood, Kansas, with his wife and two children.
Born a few miles and a few months apart, Corey and Devin Scillian would meet 17 years later at Junction City Senior High School. Both graduates of the University of Kansas, Corey is a ceramic artist and Devin anchors the news for the NBC affiliate in Detroit. Devin's other children's books include Cosmo's Moon, P is for Passport: A World Alphabet, and the national bestseller A is for America: An American Alphabet. The authors live in Michigan with their four children.
A graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio, Doug Bowles has been a freelance illustrator for 20 years. In addition to Doug's illustrations for children, he enjoys working with a wide range of clients in the advertising, corporate, and editorial communities. His work has been selected many times in the Society of Illustrators West competition, and he has had several gallery showings. Doug lives in Leawood, Kansas, with his wife and two children.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2004
5 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 30, 2021
This is part of a series that features all the states. Though written for children even adults can learn a lot of fun facts. This book is well written and very informative about what makes Kansas special from aviation, to trains, to the amazing women who broke barriers to the famous wheat we all know.
April 5, 2018
I chose this book because it's a great way to introduce the alphabet to young students, along with Kansas history. I really liked that each letter of the book had on important or interesting fact about Kansas which allows the students to learn more about the state that they live in. My personal reaction to this book was that it has some really interesting and very informative information within the book and that I would want to use this book in my future classroom someday.
March 27, 2018
S is for Sunflower would be a great book to use in a classroom on Kansas Day. The book is based on Kansas places, events, and people through each letter of the alphabet. I hope to use this book in my future classroom as it has valuable information and would help students learn about the great state of Kansas.
April 4, 2018
This is another brilliant book about Kansas. This would fit perfectly on Kansas day. I love how it doubles as an alphabet book and an informational book about the lovely state of Kansas. Just as in One Kansas Farmer, the margins contain more information about the topic on hand. If you live in Kansas, this is a much-needed book in the classroom!
April 4, 2018
I loved this book! It is a great book that has awesome information about Kansas! It would be a good book to read to the class on Kansas Day as it talks about places, people, and events throughout Kansas! This is a book that I definitely plan on using in my future classroom.
April 5, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book. It would be read to a kindergarten- 1st grade classroom. I liked how it goes through the alphabet along with relating each letter to a common object, such as a sunflower.
March 22, 2020
i love sunflowers!! Kansas is pretty windy?? but i can understand why folks visit ... guess it is heritage and history as to why they keep on staying?? i'll just visit.
March 8, 2021
Learning about Kansas with my boy. Making it through the United States one state at a time. We love these books!
October 3, 2022
Love starting our state units with this series of books! And is a great guide to dig deeper for the rabbit holes to learn more!
March 17, 2023
Great book filled with lots of good Kansas facts and very beautiful illustrations.
October 29, 2023
Beautifully illustrated and full of fun facts about our wonderful state. Highly recommended for all Kansas households and all state libraries and schools.
February 23, 2017
This is a cool alphabet book that I would love to use with kids learning Kansas history. It is also one of a series so any teacher would be able to use a similar book about their own state if they chose. It goes through important things about Kansas letter by letter, using alliteration and illustrations to connect important Kansas topics. This is so much more than just a history book or an alphabet book. It is a combination of the two and a very useful book, regardless of age.
September 5, 2008
Title: "S is for Sunflower: A Kansas Alphabet"
Author: Devin and Corey Scillian
Illustrator: Doug Bowles
Publisher: Thompson Gale
Pub. Date: 2004
Genre: Alphabet Picture Book
Grades: K-6
Award: Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award
This book is a very well illustrated and informative book about Kansas that can be used for all ages. As this book goes through the alphabet, each letter represents things, people, places, and animals found in Kansas. For younger students, the book can be read with emphasis of the information that starts with each letter. For older students, there is a section on the side of the illustrations that goes more in depth about the wonderful history of Kansas. This is a great book to present with Kansas' history or to use on Kansas Day, January 29th. (This is the day when Kansas became a state.) The book also shares about the state bird, state flag, state animal, state capital, forts, pioneers, explorers, Native Americans, and major cities. At the end of the book are questions that can be asked to check for understanding.
Activities:
1. Can be integrated with a Social Studies unit on Kansas History. After reading the book, the class will make a Kansas quilt. Each student will randomly choose a letter to create a square for their letter about Kansas. The squares will be put together into a quilt to be displayed in the classroom.
2. Integrated again with Social Studies for older students. The teacher will have a large map displayed on a bulletin board in the classroom. As the story is being read, students will take turns locating and marking the map of all the locations that are mentioned. Then the students will be given time to do research on a place in Kansas that they would like to visit. The students will have the opportunity to type on the computers about their travel destination. This information will be displayed on the bulletin board with the map. Pictures of these places will also be encouraged.
Author: Devin and Corey Scillian
Illustrator: Doug Bowles
Publisher: Thompson Gale
Pub. Date: 2004
Genre: Alphabet Picture Book
Grades: K-6
Award: Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award
This book is a very well illustrated and informative book about Kansas that can be used for all ages. As this book goes through the alphabet, each letter represents things, people, places, and animals found in Kansas. For younger students, the book can be read with emphasis of the information that starts with each letter. For older students, there is a section on the side of the illustrations that goes more in depth about the wonderful history of Kansas. This is a great book to present with Kansas' history or to use on Kansas Day, January 29th. (This is the day when Kansas became a state.) The book also shares about the state bird, state flag, state animal, state capital, forts, pioneers, explorers, Native Americans, and major cities. At the end of the book are questions that can be asked to check for understanding.
Activities:
1. Can be integrated with a Social Studies unit on Kansas History. After reading the book, the class will make a Kansas quilt. Each student will randomly choose a letter to create a square for their letter about Kansas. The squares will be put together into a quilt to be displayed in the classroom.
2. Integrated again with Social Studies for older students. The teacher will have a large map displayed on a bulletin board in the classroom. As the story is being read, students will take turns locating and marking the map of all the locations that are mentioned. Then the students will be given time to do research on a place in Kansas that they would like to visit. The students will have the opportunity to type on the computers about their travel destination. This information will be displayed on the bulletin board with the map. Pictures of these places will also be encouraged.
February 12, 2017
This book is great for displaying all of the amazing things around Kansas in the past and present. This allows kids to be able to learn the alphabet and even connect it to actual events or places. Especially for kids that live in Kansas they can gather information and learn more about their state. This is a great book for kids to learn the alphabet and learn about their own home.
May 4, 2015
Many alphabet books are targeted to babies old enough to sit just long enough to look at a few pictures illustrating some letters before they squirm and wiggle off the lap. S is for Sunflower is an alphabet book that can grow with a child. Babies can enjoy the attractive illustrations; toddlers will like the small poem that accompanies each letter of the alphabet; young readers can appreciate the few paragraphs of history and information on each page that tell interesting facts about Kansas. I respect an alphabet book that can hold even an adult's attention.
As I was reading the book, I came across many insights and attitudes that made me think the authors had to be Kansans. When I read to the end of the book, I saw that the two authors and the illustrator all had significant Kansas connections, and it showed with their affectionate treatment of my adopted state. I'll be looking for more from the Scillians and Bowles.
Also, great illustrations of X, Y, and Z--often where alphabet books crash and burn spectacularly. Seriously, give up on x-rays and xylophones, alphabet book people.
As I was reading the book, I came across many insights and attitudes that made me think the authors had to be Kansans. When I read to the end of the book, I saw that the two authors and the illustrator all had significant Kansas connections, and it showed with their affectionate treatment of my adopted state. I'll be looking for more from the Scillians and Bowles.
Also, great illustrations of X, Y, and Z--often where alphabet books crash and burn spectacularly. Seriously, give up on x-rays and xylophones, alphabet book people.
February 23, 2017
I would use this book as an alphabet book and have the kids made one about their lives. I would use this in any level for grade. Any kid could take something away from this. i chose it because it is easily manipulated. It is a quick read.
August 23, 2008
Genre: Alphabet Book
Awards:
2006-2007 William Allen White Award Nominee
2006 Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award Winner
This is a great alphabet book with a ton of information about Kansas. Each letter of the alphabet has a short poem to go along with it as well as detailed information about facts about Kansas that start with that letter. For example, the "B" page tells all about the Bison and basketball (go KU!) and the "L" page tells of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Langston Hughes. At the very end of the book is a page of questions and answers about Kansas facts. Some of the questions include "What is the state animal of Kansas?" and "Why wasn't our state flower always appreciated?"
Activities:
1. As a research project, students could make their own alphabet books, each choosing a different state to focus on.
2. This book would be a good introduction to a unit on Kansas.
Awards:
2006-2007 William Allen White Award Nominee
2006 Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award Winner
This is a great alphabet book with a ton of information about Kansas. Each letter of the alphabet has a short poem to go along with it as well as detailed information about facts about Kansas that start with that letter. For example, the "B" page tells all about the Bison and basketball (go KU!) and the "L" page tells of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Langston Hughes. At the very end of the book is a page of questions and answers about Kansas facts. Some of the questions include "What is the state animal of Kansas?" and "Why wasn't our state flower always appreciated?"
Activities:
1. As a research project, students could make their own alphabet books, each choosing a different state to focus on.
2. This book would be a good introduction to a unit on Kansas.
July 4, 2017
This is a very good introduction book to Kansas whether it is with the people that have been influences to society, the creatures and/or plants that can be found, the history or the economies that have made the state as it is. Will be a good educational book to those wanting to learn more on the state itself.
Each part of the letter mentioned has a small (about four sentences) introduction that highlights what is important to Kansas for the letter and then on the side a few more longer paragraphs that will explain more on the information that was given.
What I didn't like about the book itself was that there were some people I wish may have been mentioned for Kansans. But keeping it to a decent size I can understand why some of the subject matter has been condense if not left out.
Each part of the letter mentioned has a small (about four sentences) introduction that highlights what is important to Kansas for the letter and then on the side a few more longer paragraphs that will explain more on the information that was given.
What I didn't like about the book itself was that there were some people I wish may have been mentioned for Kansans. But keeping it to a decent size I can understand why some of the subject matter has been condense if not left out.
March 30, 2018
I picked this book out because I was born and raised in Kansas and the sunflowers on the front cover were pretty. What I really liked about this book was it taught about the alphabet, but it also had factual information about Kansas. This would be good to read on Kansas day or to teach new students about Kansas. I definitely want this book in my classroom, especially sense I plan to stay in Kansas.
September 3, 2015
The illustrations in this book were beautiful! I liked that it served the purpose of teaching the alphabet, along with cities and attractions in the state of Kansas. It's very educational, but I would only use it with upper elementary students. I feel like it requires too much attention for younger kids.
September 18, 2015
This is a children's book about my newly adopted state Kansas. We are the world,s breadbasket, Dwight D. Eisenhower was from here, and also Amelia Earhart, and Wilt Chamberlain. We lead the nation in wheat production. and we have the famous town Dodge City. There is a lot of facts and history in this A-Z children's book.
September 21, 2015
S Is for Sunflower: A Kansas Alphabet is one of the best alphabet books that I have read. I love how they incorporated interested things about Kansas with each letter. Alphabet books are a necessity in the classroom, especially ones that have additional information. It also helps that Sunflowers are my favorite flower, so I enjoyed this book a lot.
February 16, 2016
I really like this book and how it teaches the kids the correct sequence of the alphabet. I also liked how it can teach the students about things that Kansas is known for. This helps with the concept of states and learning new things about the states. Great book for many reasons, it also goes into more details on the pages about the history of Kansas. Great book!
February 20, 2015
S is for Sunflower , a wonderful book that explores the history and tradition in the state of Kansas. Not only does the book speak of the great tradition, but also gives great examples with the amazing illustrations through out the book. I enjoyed reading this book learning more about my state.
September 3, 2015
This book would be good for someone who lives in Kansas. If I teach in a Kansas school I would use this book. The illustration is vivid and captivating. It tells about people and places in Kansas. Very good to use with children to get to know this state.
September 11, 2015
The Book S is for Sunflower I rated 3 stars because it is an alphabet book but not my favorite. The thing I do like about his book is the neat pictures and interested facts. This book is about Kansas using the alphabet. S for sunflower represents Kansas's state flower and so forth.
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July 2, 2009JEPIC-Sci
August 10, 2011
pictures, history, facts, information and ideals about kansas
February 26, 2015
This book has amazing illustrations. I love Kansas and I also love sun flowers. This book is one that has a lot of important information that is really interesting.
February 3, 2016
What wonderful illustrations! This is a fantastic book for Kansas day or teaching kids facts about Kansas. The target audience ideally would be a bit older or higher elementary students.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews