Planting Sunshine

by Andrée Poulin, Enzo Lord Mariano (Illustrator)

When does the war over there become the war over here? In this novel in verse, a boy named Theo can’t stop worrying about the war he sees on TV. In a distant country, war is wreaking havoc. Theo, safe in his house, is horrified by the images of violence he sees on TV, and he can’t stop wondering Why the war? Why this senseless violence? Why so much hate? His dad says it’s complicated, and has no real answers to give him. His friends at school say that kids shouldn’t be worried about faraway wars. But Theo can’t stop thinking about bombs destroying houses and schools. He starts to feel very, very alone. Inspired by an unusual act he sees on TV, where a woman gives seeds of the national flower to an enemy soldier, Theo wonders if there’s a way that he can help sow the seeds of peace. Weaving poems and striking illustrations, this book shows how war hurts people everywhere. The story reminds us that everyone — young or old, near or far — has the power to create positive change. Includes an author’s note about ways to build peace. Key Text Features poems illustrations author’s note Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7 Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting) CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.9 Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g., in books from a series) CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.5 Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.6 Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.7 Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.

116 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

Andrée Poulin is a former journalist and current award-winning author of children's books who lives in Québec, Canada.

Reviews

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo is a young student struck by the violence of a war across the world. Theo’s age and home country aren’t discussed anywhere in the book, but readers are told that he lives far from the war and his country won’t be directly impacted. The book never explicates that the war Theo watches is the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but there are clues, such as the story about the old woman throwing sunflower seeds at the soldier, which went viral on social media platforms a couple years ago. Theo is a deeply empathetic young character, tormented by the war, constantly looking for updates online and on the news, and becoming deeply discouraged that no one around him seems to care about the suffering happening elsewhere. He has lots of questions about the war, but his father doesn’t seem to have any answers. Theo also struggles with feelings of powerlessness, until he meets Lily, another young person who is concerned by the war and taking steps to protest, like drawing doves with chalk on the side of the community center. In Lily, Theo finds safety, solidarity, and hope. The illustrations show characters with varying skin tones.

This is a novel-in-verse and the language throughout is concise and accessible. The illustrations in this book are unique; characters have very small eyes and the illustrations look like they may have been done in watercolor with a lot of depth and bold colors. In a few pages at the end, Poulin talks more directly about wars going on across the world and what it means for there to be peace. These pages are very valuable and contain a lot of good information, so I’m glad that she included them! Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Planting Sunshine is a tender, courageous novel in verse that gives voice to a truth many children quietly carry: even distant wars can feel frighteningly close. Through Theo’s thoughtful, questioning perspective, Andrée Poulin captures the emotional weight of global conflict as it filters into a child’s everyday life, through news images, unanswered questions, and a growing sense of helplessness.

The poetic structure mirrors Theo’s inner world, allowing fear, confusion, and compassion to surface in spare, powerful lines. Enzo Lord Mariano’s illustrations deepen this emotional resonance, grounding abstract anxieties in visual moments of vulnerability and hope. Together, text and art create a deeply humane story that honors children’s capacity for empathy rather than dismissing it.

What makes Planting Sunshine especially meaningful is its insistence on agency. Theo’s response to violence is not despair, but a quiet, symbolic act of peace, reminding readers that even small gestures matter. With its strong alignment to classroom standards and its universal message, this is a book that belongs not only on shelves, but in conversations about kindness, responsibility, and global awareness.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poetic and emotional take on the state of our world from the innocent perspective of a child. With so many questions unanswered and few people willing to talk about war, Theo is left confused and helpless - as many of us are when left to ponder such dark realities. In the current state of our world, this is a beautiful introduction for children who are interested in current affairs and how they can help.

[Raven Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read via an online reader copy. Poetry, graphic novel and more. The Why of a child blooms into ways that make war understandable and how not to be helpless in a seemingly helpless situation. Amazing art intertwined in prose poetry, making a few of the poems wordless, but speak volumes. READ IT (some images might not be suitable for sensitive readers/young children).

[Kristen Lango · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that makes me cry is 5 stars. This book is one of those fabulous kid's books that respects childrens' capabilities of experiencing a complex range of emotional responses to their world around them.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful message, with constructive help for those feeling hopeless.