Sun: A Gorgeous Picture Book About Soccer, Art, and Joy for Children

by Alison Oliver

Sun, a sporty boy, reconnects with his artistic side in this gorgeous, joyful celebration of creativity that offers an expanded and appealing model for boyhood.

Sun loves everything about playing  the cheers, the competition, the winning. But he feels as though something is missing. When he sees his younger brother spread out on the floor, creating a wondrous piece of art, he remembers how much he loves to make things. He goes to the beach to think, and it’s there that a magical encounter with a fox helps him reconnect with a long-forgotten source of happiness.

Simple words and stunning illustrations pair to show us there is more than one way to be a boy…and remind us of the deep satisfaction of creativity.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Animals, Fantasy, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book before realizing I'd read its companion, Moon , already. The two stories are completely separate (but there's obviously a theme with the titles and overall premises). In Sun, we have a little boy named Sun who likes to play soccer. He feels something's missing, though. As he watches his little brother make art, he thinks about how he used to do the same thing. He takes his soccer ball to the beach, where he meets a fox who shows him how to make art. They spend the day doing that, until it's time for Sun to go home.

I think the problem I'm having with this one is that I don't know what it's trying to say. Soccer is bad? Foxes are adept at abstract sculpture work? We're told that Sun used to make art, but we're never really told why he stopped. Was it because of the soccer? Okay, so what if it was? What's the message here? Don't do something you enjoy (soccer) because someone else has arbitrarily decided that another pursuit (art) is better?

The reader really has to suspend disbelief when it comes to the fox, too. How is it able to do what it does without opposable thumbs? Why a fox? (In Moon, at least the wolves acted like wolves. Here, the fox is too anthropomorphized to be believable.)

I'm afraid I'm just not clicking with this author. I haven't really enjoyed either of her books I've read so far. While Sun is not as potentially problematic as Moon with the animal interactions, I still don't think it's that strong of a book.

[KC · Rating 2 out of 5]

If it weren't for the stunning illustrations, I wouldn't have bothered. Not sure why the boy began to play with the fox and not with his own brother. (something about the brother being busy and the fox was not)

[Jacki · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art is nice, but the story doesn't make sense but isn't out there enough to work as pure nonsense.

[Lynda Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sun plays soccer but feels like there’s something missing in his life. While wandering along the beach, he comes across a fox who creates art out of items washed up on the sand. And so, he discovers a new passion.

This is another delightful offering by author-illustrator Alison Oliver. This time, the illustrations feature bright orange, yellow, and blue to portray the warmth of the sun. The story conveys the message that boys can be artistic as well as sporty.

Another timely message for children and adults alike.

I received this book in return for an honest review.

Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sun was a star soccer player. He enjoyed everything about the game, but something was missing. One day Sun went for a walk along the beach, and noticed things he had forgotten about. In a burst of inspiration Sun soon discovered what was missing in his life, and he had to get it back.

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT. Engaging on the illustration and narrative levels. Kudos!

[Maeve · Rating 1 out of 5]

A young boy reconnects with his creative side with the help of a friendly fox.

Nice illustrations, but weird story.

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Brightly colored illustrations highlight this gentle reminder of the importance of nurturing our imaginative/creative side as well as our physical side. We've come to understand the role physical activity has in the overall health of our children, but what is often over-looked is how feeding their creative side is just as beneficial. We hear a lot about STEM nowadays, but what about the missing A for the arts? Creative expression, whether is be through music, movement, fine art, or crafting, opens the mind to possibilities, stretches our imagination muscles, and has been proven to have therapeutic benefits. So play those sports, study those science and math subjects, and let your creative self soar!

Btw, to those who questioned the author's use of a fox in this story, what better animal to take on reconnecting with creativity than a "crafty" fox? ;-)

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming book! Sun is a really good soccer player but he feels that something in his life is missing. When he sees his brother creating art, he remembers how much he used to love creating too. He decides to go to the beach and meets a fox who reminds him how much fun creating art is! The illustrations are gorgeous and Alison Oliver never disappoints with her magic in writing and vibrant illustrations.

[Alexis Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book it shows the difference in the siblings. Not everyone likes the same things but if you find one thing that you both like you can elaborate on it. For example, Sun made a fox with his brother out of art because Sun made a new friend at the beach. I thought this was a cute little story for younger kids.

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations. So-so plot (but we can overlook that because - the pictures!). Few words to read aloud - could be one a child flips through themselves and enjoys.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mixed media illustrations are the real star of this picture book about a boy named Sun who loves soccer but doesn’t feel fulfilled by it. After seeing his younger brother joyfully work on an art project, Sun wanders down to the beach, where he notices all sorts of interesting objects. He also comes face to face with a fox and together they create all kinds of interesting sculptures. This is a sweet ode to the power of creativity, but the text lacks punch.

[Lisa]

The art is definitely the redeeming element here, as the story is meandering in a way that I found distracting (why is he named Sun? Why is soccer introduced? And not returned to? What's his brother been up to?). I know that this type of less-linear story can be helpful to kids or reflective of their thoughts, but I found it unsatisfying.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sun loves to play soccer but he still feels like something is missing in his life. One morning he observes his brother creating art. He thinks about this as he heads to the beach. At the beach he meets a fox. Together they create art with found objects on the beach. When the day is over Sun heads home, taking his new love of art home with him to share with his brother.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this. Sun is a soccer star, but he realizes something is missing from his life. A fox at the beach shows him the thing that is missing: art! Sports are okay and all, but people in our country just go crazy over them instead of the fine arts, and it was so nice to see a book that had this message! It had three things I love: art, the beach, and a fox. 🦊 😊

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sun loved to play socceer but something else was missing from his life. Then he meets a fox at the beach who teaches him how to create.

I prefer Moon to sun, but the themes in Moon resonate more with me. This one is wonderfully done and has great representation.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sun is a boy, a boy who is a big soccer fan.
One day he meets a fox and his life experiences change - he learns that it is fun to make and create.

I love the dry brush strokes used by the illustrator.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple but gorgeously illustrated story about love for art and how it can be expressed in many different ways, including creating from recycled materials - a beautiful subtle choice for Earth day or recycling/reusing lessons, too.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sun loves soccer, his brother loves art... Sun meets a fox and explores creativity. When he returns home, he chooses to play with his brother and create art. We all grow and change, but it's nice to be creative and spend time with the people we love.

[Annese · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is meh, but I LOVE the art!!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations but not much of a story.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookaday #59. Lovely companion to Moon, what an adorable cover. Of course, a walk on the beach will bring back your creative mojo.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story and the illustrations. I would have given this 4 stars but the author had Sun climbing and walking on the dunes, which no one should do.

[Patrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my new favorite picturebooks!! the illustrations are magical!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn't really impress me. Nice illustrations, but the story was not clear.

[Y.Poston]

Love the colorful book
and art encouragement!

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an adorable book with themes of recycling garbage, making friends among the natural world, being creative and sharing those skills with younger siblings.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations pull this book up to 3 stars