Under the Same Sun

by Sharon Robinson, A.G. Ford (Illustrator)

A Tanzanian family welcomes their Auntie Sharon and Grandmother Bibi from America for a very special occasion: a surprise safari in honor of the matriarch’s 85th birthday. After three days of marveling at the sights and sounds of the Serengeti, Father—Auntie Sharon’s brother—takes the group to the coastal town of Bagamoyo (Swahili for “to let go of one’s heart”) and tells its sad history as a slave-trading post. “e are much more fortunate than our African ancestors who were forced to leave the country that they loved and had no chance of retuning,” Father says. “We are blessed with the freedom to move back and forth.” Robinson (Jackie’s Gift), the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, bases this book on family history and a family trip, and while her tale isn’t particularly dramatic, her pride in her family’s resilience shines through. Ford’s (Barack) acrylics don’t add much emotional depth despite their detail and rich palette, but he brings a matter-of-fact approach to a distant landscape that underscores how a close family can transcend geography.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Africa, Nonfiction, Cultural, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, the illustrations were wonderful. I also appreciated that this book gives us a view of Tanzania. There wasn't really a storyline, but it was a recounting of a series of events in a family visit. I enjoyed seeing the market and the safari too. There is also a bit of a history lesson towards the end with a visit to a place that had been used for slave trafficking. Finally, the author's note gives background information. I like that this book shows another face of Africa.

[Sunah Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grandmother Bibi and Auntie Sharon, who is the author of this book, visit Tanzania from America to see their family. Their Tanzanian family has a plan to tour Serengeti and celebrate Grandmother Bibi’s birthday. The last stop they visit is the place of the coastal town of Bagamoyo where it was once a slave-trading post. The author tells the history of African who were captured and shipped to America as slaves.
First, I thought this story would be about immigration. Immigrants live separately from their family in different countries, but they are still under the same sun as the title implies. Unlike my expectations, the author incorporates slave history into the separations of the family. I love the ways that the author illustrates what it means to be a slave. They were stolen from their families and country, forced to work without payment, and not allowed to go back to their families. The slave system is a tragedy in human history, and this book elaborates on the history with the story of a family reunion. However, the last page of the story has lots of text compared to the previous pages of the story, and it overwhelmed my feeling of being moved by the story. Illustrations were done in oil paintings, portraying beautiful landscapes of Serengeti. At the end of the book, the author added photographs of her family in Tanzania and a map to show the location of the country. What I was interested in was the language, Swahili, which is predominantly used in East Africa. It tells that Bibi means Grandmother. So far, I thought Bibi is the grandmother’s name. I am still confused about it because the author wrote that “Today Auntie Sharon and Grandmother Bibi were coming to Tanzania for a visit… (Unpaged)”. Does it mean that Bibi is her name? In other words, does it mean that the word of a grandmother in Swahili is Bibi, and the grandmother’s name is the same by chance?
Overall, I liked the techniques to elaborate personal story and historical backgrounds. However, wordiness and confusion that may come from my lack of knowledge disturbed me to enjoy the book.

[Kayla Angeletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so beautiful that I almost cried! I loved the pictures and loved seeing my own skin color in the book! Not only was this a sweet story about a family surprising their grandmother who came to visit, but it also teaches a little history and gave some background knowledge to kids who may not have known about Tanzania.This book even teachers how to speak a little Swahili! My favorite part was when one of the children made a lion king reference when they were on the Safari! I think this book would be great to ask questions with children to get them engaged in the book. I would recommend reading this to your children or students, they may learn something new!

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool book! I didn't realize until I had finished it that this picture book story is based off a TRUE story, and the author is the daughter of Jackie Robinson! Who knew Jackie Robinson was Tanzanian?! Amazing. Follows the story of Sharon and her brother (and their families) taking their mother Rachel on safari. The illustrations are perfect and the story is beautiful -- a mixture of the joy that you feel when you're with family and the sadness you feel when you must depart. Includes a variety of information at the end, as well as a short history lesson on Bagamoyo, an infamous old slave-trading post. Truly amazing story. Highly recommend.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is based on real-life experiences that Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie Robinson, had while traveling with her mother to Tanzania to visit her brother's family. The story is unique and has a lot of appeal factors, with cross-cultural family interactions, a safari trip to see animals, and a thoughtful message about the history of slavery. This is simply too much for a typical picture book audience, so I didn't read this for storytime, but I would definitely recommend it for school-age kids who can handle the length, wordiness, and complexity of the topics involved.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, about a family reunion in Tanzania - where American family members and Tanzanian family members meet up to celebrate the grandmother's 85th birthday. It includes a birthday safari trip, with wonderful illustrations of wild animals. It is actually based on a true story - Sharon Robinson, the author, took this trip to Tanzania with her mother for a big family birthday reunion in Tanzania.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, exquisite story that introduces Jackie Robinson's family to readers. Written by his daughter Sharon Robinson and beautifully illustrated by AG Ford, the story chronicles Sharon and her mother Ruth Robinson's visit to Africa to see brother/son David and his family and to celebrate Ruth's 85th birthday. This book is a treasure, full of love, laughter, lament and poignancy. A must read.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true story of the grandson of Jackie Robinson and his desire to reconnect with a heritage that was denied to him as it was to so many dependents of African people who were stolen from their homes and sold into a life of slavery. Under the Same Sun is a beautiful and touching read of a family separated by an ocean that works hard to remain connected.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story with very happy illustrations.

[Jenny Humerickhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I read this to Elementary aged kids, very good at explaining history and diversity.

[Rachael Dixon Eklund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great story about extended family who lives far away. Perfect book to use as a compare and contrast of cultures. Excellent diverse book to add to your library.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story about family togetherness despite distance. The illustrations by AG Ford and the Author's Note at the end really make this book.

[Kelly Shiverdecker]

Published: 2014

This realistic fiction book is about a family who is getting a visit from their grandma and aunt from a different continent and they shared each other's culture and learned from one another, having a great time.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic Fiction

[Emily]

1. This book tells the story of a family that lives in Tanzania and are awaiting the arrival of their Grandmother and Aunt, whom they haven't seen in years, to visit from America. When they arrive, all the children can think about is the safari they are taking their Grandmother on for her 85th birthday. She loves this surprise and they spend a few days exploring. On their way home they stop at an historic town called Bagamoyo which was home to a slave trading post and they tell the story of it to their children. After this trip, they start counting down the days until they will see each other again.

2. This is a beautifully illustrated and written story that has so much history and information in it. It tells the readers how important family is, about the African safari, about slavery and about never forgetting who you are or where you are from. The author's note in the back of the book gives the true story behind it and is a great thing to read to your students!

3. "Elephants and Giraffes" by Francois Bissonette gives facts, information and pictures about elephants and giraffes which are two animals they see in the book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYpsf... is a video of people going on an African safari and the animals that they saw.

4. "Early the next morning, their guide arrived to pick them up and told them the rules: 'The animals may look beautiful and harmless,' he said, 'but they are still wild! They are not caged like they are at the zoo, but roam freely. On a safari, it is humans who must stay in their cages!'"

This quote, along with the next pages in the book that talk about specific animals, would be a good reading to start a unit on animals in the African safari. They can research and write about another animal from the African safari on their own.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In honor of her 85th birthday, Grandmother Bibi and Auntie Sharon travel from America to Tanzania to celebrate with extended family. The family embarks on a three day safari and witness elephants, zebras, and giraffes on their native soil.

On the trip back home the family visits Bagamoyo, the ruins house a museum that was once home to a slave-trading post. Together the family explores their shared history and feel their impending goodbyes on the horizon.

Back matter includes an author's note that reveals the details of the real life trip that inspired this book, a map, a list of Swahili words, and a page (with pictures) of Tanzanian cuisine.

This book read very well. It is apparent even before flipping to the back matter that this story is inspired by an actual experience of the land, people, and animals of Tanzania. I liked all of the realistic details in both text and illustrations that help readers in America picture life in Tanzania. From the mosquito netting that is strung up around the guest room bed to the market trips the family makes for fresh fruit, readers are awash in a slice of life view of Tanzania.

Acrylic paintings finished in oil make up the artwork in the book. The illustrator excels at capturing the beauty and the majesty of the animals the family views while on safari and also at capturing the expressions of the various family members.

Recommended reading for PreK-2 that helps give youngsters a global view of family, animals, and history.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonus points for the topic- an African-American sister and mother visit their brother/son and his family in Tanzania. Much of the book is about the joy of reuniting and a warm positive look at the food and wildlife of Tanzania. An important bit near the end has the joyful extended family visit the ruins of a slave trading post where they soberly reflect on the slave trade and their ancestors who were enslaved. An author's note reveals the family is the wife and children of the great color-barrier breaking Jackie Robinson. The reconnection to African roots and the desire to help economically build an African democracy is briefly and thoughtfully mentioned. A Swahili glossary and page devoted to a Tanzanian meal adds some depth.

The book feels anecdotal and while personal, the super-positive spin makes it feel a little bland until we get to the slave-trading post at which point the story gains some heft. The four spreads on African wildlife dragged a bit for me. There weren't enough specifics to engage older readers and the descriptions were flat. Bottom line I felt the book was uneven, vacillating between flat description, sentimental personal memoir and only occasionally allowing a fascinating glimpse into another culture and a family's compelling commitment to social action and personal reflection on a vitally important part of history.

Absolutely worth purchasing for its strengths. Let's hope more picture books like this follow and broaden the field.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even when they are separated by hundreds of miles or even hundreds of years, family bonds are still close as is demonstrated in this appealing picture book. Based on her own family's experiences in celebrating the eighty-fifth birthday of the author's mother as she and her daughter (the author) travel to Tanzania to be reunited with David, her son. The anticipation of a visit from the travelers from the United States is clear on the faces of their relatives who can't wait to welcome them. They spend time catching up, enjoying good foods, and then traveling to the Serengeti National Park where they see lions, zebras, and elephants. The visit ends on a sobering note as they visit Bagamoyo, one of the ports of departure during the slavery trade. The moving account of loss mingled with love and hope for the future amid strong family support is accompanied by illustrations rendered in acrylic and oil. It would be hard not to be moved while thinking of how it must have felt to be ripped from one's family and the land one loved, and yet, the children's questions about slavery show that this is something far in the past for them.

[Jaimie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auntie Sharon and Grandmother Bibi are welcomed to Africa from their Tanzanian family to celebrate Grandmother Bibi’s 85th birthday. As a surprise for Bibi, the family takes her on a safari to celebrate her birthday. As the family spends time together, the children of the family learn more about their history (slave-trade).

The illustrations are very descriptive and insightful towards the content, displaying accurate setting placement and characters. This children’s book is very engaging and informational. I would classify this book as an informational book and biography. Auntie Sharon is the author of this book and she writes about the time they went to Africa. This book is informational because near the end of their safari trip, the father explains the hardships and horrible history of the slave-trade post. I really liked this book because children can enjoy the rich plot while learning about something that is very vital in our history. The wording of this book allows students to easily understand and relate. Also, it correlates a story with the hidden educational message instead of just stated facts.

[Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandmother Bibi and Auntie Sharon are visiting family in Tanzania. It's Bibi's birthday, and the family has a surprise in store: a safari in Serengeti National Park, followed by a much more sober visit to a slave-trading post on the shores of the Indian Ocean. An author's note at the end provides further background on this story, which is based on a true experience.

Under the Same Sun is a good reminder that even families who are separated are all living under the same sun and can hope to see each other again soon. While the story is lovely, I absolutely adore the illustrations. They are so realistic and full of life and emotion that they almost feel like actual photographs instead of paintings. All in all, a very nice read.

[Lacey Bolen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has many great qualities for a read aloud in a third grade classroom. Not only is it full of similes, metaphors, and imagery (ex: "The sun rose in the sky like an orange ball of fire," "Quicker than lightning,") but it also includes a ton of information on the culture in Tanzania. It includes touches of the Swahili language when introducing foods and animals seen in Tanzania. The story is very touching a relatable for students of all backgrounds. It also touches on slavery in a way that could effectively introduce a unit in social studies, around Martin Luther King day. Along with these many qualities, the illustrations are done beautifully and are effectively done to help students grasp the story, especially when the Swahili language is used.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Animals: African
Culture: Tanzania

A unique addition to the picture book collection that discusses family reunions with members that live in different countries, Tanzanian culture, the influence of slavery, and the ties that brought one family back home. Robinson was able to provide the outsider's perspective through two family members that still live in the States as they visit family members that moved back to Tanzania.

While the subject is a worthwhile addition, the story is full of plot holes and tries to fit in a lot of information including an African safari and a sentimental look at the impact of slavery on this family.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars. This family narrative gives the reader a sense of time and place as it explains how a family traces it's history from slaves to America and the decision for some to return to their homeland.
The importance of going on the safari was not clear to me, as Bibi "cried tears of joy."
The illustrations provide the reader with a few details about the market, clothing, and Africa. The pages describing the past are done in sepia, to give the impression of a memory, a dark time. I found it distracting that there was not enough contrast between the color of some of the text which was set on colored pages (thus the half star off).

[Katie Logonauts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir tells the story of Sharon and her mother's visit to Tanzania to see her brother David and his family. The universal nature of family and togetherness is celebrated as the continents come together. The family goes on a safari and spends a few pages enjoying African animals. The trip ends on a somber note as the families visit the historic slave port of Bagamoyo and discuss their personal history of enslavement, but they turn it to a positive note by thinking about their freedoms and personal connections.

[Arissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grandmother and aunt return to Tanzania to visit their family for Bibi’s birthday. They go on a safari for four days as her birthday surprise. On the safari, they seen animals and made a stop in the small town of Bagamoyo. Bibi told them the history behind the small town and the slave trading that transferred the family to America. This story is useful in presenting an experience to students in comparison to an adventure. Students could describe an experience of their own they have had.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The images in this story are absolutely beautiful, but the story itself was missing some continuity. Despite the amount of text in this book, I felt that the author jumped from idea to idea a couple of times in the book without enough explanation. I really enjoyed the cultural aspects and Swahili mixed into the text.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book taught several important lessons. First, for the age group, it gave an appropriate lesson regarding slave trade and slavery in America. Second, and more importantly, the lesson of just because a family member doesn't live near you doesn't mean that they don't love you. After all, we are all under the same sun and not that far away (especially in the days of internet!).

[Emily Glomski]

This book is about a family who travels to their native land of Tanzania. While during their trip they learn about what life is like in Tanzania, and their family's history and culture there.
I would use this book to discuss family's pasts. I would also use this book to talk about slavery, because there is a lot of content about the slave trade in this book.

[Alesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a nice picture book for older children. It's a "slice of life" tale of a family's love for one another despite cultural and geographical differences. The ending is a bit jarring, but necessary and relevant.

The author's note and personal photos that follow the story are true gems and should not be overlooked by readers.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated somewhat disjointed story of a family reunion feels a bit more teachy than warm. Great author's note follows with additional information about Tanzania, their route and the foods.