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The Sun Is Late and So Is the Farmer
On a peculiarly long night, three farm animals set off on a daring quest to bring the sunrise.
A mule,
A milk cow,
A miniature horse,
Standing in a barn door,
Waiting for the sun to rise.
As this trio rests in their comfortable barn, a realization slowly dawns on them. . . the sun is late to rise. After consulting barn owl (who always knows what to do), they take Rooster and set off on an epic journey further than they've ever gone before; through the acre of tall corn, past the sleeping giant, all the way to the edge of the world.
Fans of Erin and Philip C. Stead's books will instantly love this quirky barnyard trio's magical quest to bring the sunrise, in the style of their previous animal books A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Bear Has a Story to Tell.
A mule,
A milk cow,
A miniature horse,
Standing in a barn door,
Waiting for the sun to rise.
As this trio rests in their comfortable barn, a realization slowly dawns on them. . . the sun is late to rise. After consulting barn owl (who always knows what to do), they take Rooster and set off on an epic journey further than they've ever gone before; through the acre of tall corn, past the sleeping giant, all the way to the edge of the world.
Fans of Erin and Philip C. Stead's books will instantly love this quirky barnyard trio's magical quest to bring the sunrise, in the style of their previous animal books A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Bear Has a Story to Tell.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 29, 2022
199 people want to read
About the author
Philip C. Stead
30 books229 followersPhilip C. Stead is the author of the Caldecott Medal winning book A Sick Day for Amos McGee, also named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2010 and a Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of 2010, illustrated by his wife, Erin E. Stead. Together with Erin, he also created Bear Has a Story to Tell, an E.B. White Read-Aloud Award honor book. Philip, also an artist, has written and illustrated several of his own books including Hello, My Name is Ruby, Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat, A Home for Bird, and his debut Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast, which was applauded by School Library Journal for “its wry humor and illustrations worthy of a Roald Dahl creation.” Philip lives with Erin and their dog, Wednesday, in a 100-year-old barn in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
January 21, 2023
I know the pain of this farmer.
One particularly long night, the animals awake and realize the sun is late...and so is the farmer. Worried about things, they leave the barn and the barnyard and wander until they find the home of the farmer to let her know what's going on.
The look on that farmer's face as she leads the animals back where they belong...
I don't know why it is the animals always get out at night. They just do for some reason. At least these were wise enough to bring the rooster with to wake the farmer properly. Just to do things right.
(Don't tell my horses...they might get ideas).
One particularly long night, the animals awake and realize the sun is late...and so is the farmer. Worried about things, they leave the barn and the barnyard and wander until they find the home of the farmer to let her know what's going on.
The look on that farmer's face as she leads the animals back where they belong...
I don't know why it is the animals always get out at night. They just do for some reason. At least these were wise enough to bring the rooster with to wake the farmer properly. Just to do things right.
(Don't tell my horses...they might get ideas).
January 31, 2023
The illustrations were cute and their motivation was relatable.
January 9, 2023
At the farm the sun is late to rise which concerns the mule, the milk cow, and a miniature horse. Determined to discover the delay so that the farmer can awaken, these barnyard companions set off on a journey with the rooster to find the sun. Gentle watercolor illustrations washed in the blue glow of early morning slowly transform to greens and golds as the brave friends travel to the "edge of the world." The illustrations and writing of Stead and Stead continue with trademark nostalgic appeal. This makes for a lovely read at any time of day, but is especially suitable for quiet moments and settling down (even though it's about the sunrise).
- Reviewed by Vanessa M.
- Reviewed by Vanessa M.
January 21, 2023
Like all of the Steads' tales, this is beautiful to see and special to read. Three animals, a mule,
a milk cow, and a miniature horse, stand at a barn door waiting for the sun. They eventually realize that the faithful sun is late, not rising as it should have. Readers know those animals must be hungry! They go to ask Barn Owl what they should do and he sends them off on a journey to places they have not been before, to the edge of the world! Owl tells them to take Rooster along, and the magic, along with some fun questions about dreaming, happen along the way. What fun it will be to read with young children! It was fun for me, too!
a milk cow, and a miniature horse, stand at a barn door waiting for the sun. They eventually realize that the faithful sun is late, not rising as it should have. Readers know those animals must be hungry! They go to ask Barn Owl what they should do and he sends them off on a journey to places they have not been before, to the edge of the world! Owl tells them to take Rooster along, and the magic, along with some fun questions about dreaming, happen along the way. What fun it will be to read with young children! It was fun for me, too!
December 21, 2022
This is a gentle, quiet book, set in a fantasy barnyard, featuring a group of animals who make a journey to wake up the sleepy sun and by default, the farmer. With its soft colors and illustrations, as well as lulling, repetitive cadence, I could see this one making a nice bedtime story.
Vegan parents note: Unfortunately, the cow in this story is referred to as a "milk cow," and this name is repeated on nearly every page.
Vegan parents note: Unfortunately, the cow in this story is referred to as a "milk cow," and this name is repeated on nearly every page.
December 8, 2022
Another gorgeous offering from the Steads: heartfelt, contemplative, melancholy and a little absurd, and yet somehow a delightfully appealing readaloud. Delicious.
January 7, 2023
Really lovely illustrations not much story.
July 18, 2023
Lovely illustrations, but this book was way too abstract for a picture book.
March 27, 2023
It's hard to go wrong with a book from the Steads, and this is no exception. All the usual charm and whimsy are here.
December 19, 2022
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Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
The Sun is Late and So Is the Farmer by Phillip Stead tells a short story of a group of farm animals who are lounging in their barn. They realize that the sun is late to rise and on the advice of the barn owl, the animals slowly make their way across the farm, past the sleeping monster (a piece of farm equipment), and to the end of the world (the farmhouse where the Farmer sleeps.)
Because both the sun and the Farmer are late the animals begin to worry. They decide to work together and come up with a plan to investigate. Each animal becomes braver as the book progresses, carefully moving quietly across the farm to discover why the sun is so late to rise.
The Sun is Late and So Is the Farmer is filled with beautiful watercolor-like illustrations. Lots of blues and yellows illustrate the animals on their short journey across their farm. Erin E. Stead’s illustrations have subtle details, like different shades of yellow and gold to distinguish different leaves. There also are slight changes in the blue background which signifies the sun slowly rising as the animals gather to discuss the strange occurrence.
Simple prose and pretty illustrations make this book a thoughtful story for children who love animals.
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
The Sun is Late and So Is the Farmer by Phillip Stead tells a short story of a group of farm animals who are lounging in their barn. They realize that the sun is late to rise and on the advice of the barn owl, the animals slowly make their way across the farm, past the sleeping monster (a piece of farm equipment), and to the end of the world (the farmhouse where the Farmer sleeps.)
Because both the sun and the Farmer are late the animals begin to worry. They decide to work together and come up with a plan to investigate. Each animal becomes braver as the book progresses, carefully moving quietly across the farm to discover why the sun is so late to rise.
The Sun is Late and So Is the Farmer is filled with beautiful watercolor-like illustrations. Lots of blues and yellows illustrate the animals on their short journey across their farm. Erin E. Stead’s illustrations have subtle details, like different shades of yellow and gold to distinguish different leaves. There also are slight changes in the blue background which signifies the sun slowly rising as the animals gather to discuss the strange occurrence.
Simple prose and pretty illustrations make this book a thoughtful story for children who love animals.
January 11, 2023
It's the kind of picture book that slows down time. The gentle text and the absolutely glorious illustrations are so intertwined that I want to walk into the book and live there.
If I had to compare, I'd say a combination of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and a calmer Henny Penny. Subtly providing a life lesson you didn't know you needed (and you take away what your lived/life experience is), readers are treated to the pre-dawn watercolors with three fantastic animals: the mule, the milk cow, and the miniature horse (before also meeting a few other animals too) and their anxiousness at the sun not coming up and therefore the farmer not getting up and then not being fed.
It warms my heart. This is the kind of picture book I would OWN.
If I had to compare, I'd say a combination of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and a calmer Henny Penny. Subtly providing a life lesson you didn't know you needed (and you take away what your lived/life experience is), readers are treated to the pre-dawn watercolors with three fantastic animals: the mule, the milk cow, and the miniature horse (before also meeting a few other animals too) and their anxiousness at the sun not coming up and therefore the farmer not getting up and then not being fed.
It warms my heart. This is the kind of picture book I would OWN.
January 8, 2023
Oh dear. Mule, Cow, and Miniature Horse notice that the sun is late. Which means that the rooster won't crow and the farmer will not wake up to give them their breakfast! What should they do? They decide to consult barn owl, who will surely know what to do. And barn owl does! Our trio must be very brave and make a quest to the end of the world to wake up the sun! Past sleeping sheep and corn fields and giants. To ponder the things that are dreamt of - including breakfast!
Lovely. The book has such a dreamlike quality to it - the whole book is spectacular. The sleeping giant was such a lovely surprise. And the rooster is simply splendid. I think the farmer must be Amos McGee's sister, though. What do you think?
Lovely. The book has such a dreamlike quality to it - the whole book is spectacular. The sleeping giant was such a lovely surprise. And the rooster is simply splendid. I think the farmer must be Amos McGee's sister, though. What do you think?
July 18, 2023
Hmmm. I'm not sure why, but this story simply wasn't for me. The story was fine, the artwork was good. I enjoyed the quiet of the story. For some reason, I felt nothing for it. I wasn't interested in the three animals and the story never pulled me in.
The whole giant thing was cute and I appreciate that. Rooster seemed to be a big part of this and yet he's not part of the story. I think that is the problem, we never really get drawn in to any character. Just a mule, a cow and a miniature horse. Barn Owl has the most personality and he's the side character, the sender on a quest. Rooster was the waker and we don't even see him invited. Yep, the issue is the characters. There is no one to be the main character. We have three shadows. Anyway.
The whole giant thing was cute and I appreciate that. Rooster seemed to be a big part of this and yet he's not part of the story. I think that is the problem, we never really get drawn in to any character. Just a mule, a cow and a miniature horse. Barn Owl has the most personality and he's the side character, the sender on a quest. Rooster was the waker and we don't even see him invited. Yep, the issue is the characters. There is no one to be the main character. We have three shadows. Anyway.
January 31, 2023
Beautiful book. The illustrations replicate the experience of changing light in those strange early hours of the morning that English doesn't have a word for...the opposite of twilight.
The text matches that changing light...it is so quiet and still and yet poignant. I love the way Stead talks about the silence inside the weathervane. I love that the farmer challenges our stereotypes, that the mood of the animals echo our own trepidation about the changing climate, and, most of all, the penultimate spread, that gently and without shame, suggests that the edge of our understanding is so much closer than we realize. A great read-aloud for families.
The text matches that changing light...it is so quiet and still and yet poignant. I love the way Stead talks about the silence inside the weathervane. I love that the farmer challenges our stereotypes, that the mood of the animals echo our own trepidation about the changing climate, and, most of all, the penultimate spread, that gently and without shame, suggests that the edge of our understanding is so much closer than we realize. A great read-aloud for families.
March 22, 2023
A mule, a milk cow, and a miniature horse are forced to leave the barnyard to find the sun who is late to rise and thus not awakened the farmer. Never having left the barnyard, they call on the barn owl for advice. Barn owl suggests they travel beyond the field to where the sun rises. "And bring rooster along." Brilliant use of white space heighten tension on their journey. On the way the 3 barnyard animals experience new sounds, unfamiliar sights, as they eventually reach the farmhouse, waking the farmer. In the end, the 3 barnyard animals ponder the sun ~~ "what does she dream of?" at the edge of the world.
September 18, 2022
A perfect book in so many ways, the quiet illustrations as the animals go to find out what to do when the sun is late and so is the farmer and they are hungry, we see the vague outlines of their bodies in the dark, puzzling over a problem. And on their journey together (the most important part of any journey) they do what for them is extraordinary things like leaving the barnyard.
This is a story about friendship and courage and how problems can get solved together. The happy sunshine ending is well deserved.
This is a story about friendship and courage and how problems can get solved together. The happy sunshine ending is well deserved.
December 11, 2022
This talented pair of creators has produced a gentle, rhythmic picture book that ends at sunrise but reads nearly like a bedtime book. The shrewd and lyrical repetion of text patterns, the subdued and misty colors, tones, and edges, the repeated wonderings about dreaming characters combine to invite calm and reflection, despite the concern about a potential day without sunrise and, thus, without food.
It is a joy to read, presenting an invitation for close examination of the visual narrative, engagement with the poetic language, and also mental meanderings through this dreamy landscape.
It is a joy to read, presenting an invitation for close examination of the visual narrative, engagement with the poetic language, and also mental meanderings through this dreamy landscape.
December 9, 2022
The Steads use their signature style to create a folktale-esque farm story. Three animals are wondering where the sun - and the farmer - is one morning. They ask some other animals and eventually are told to travel outside of the barnyard to the edge of the world to find the sun. This is a cute folksy tale, but the ending just felt rushed and abrupt, like there was a page or two missing. Still, Erin Stead's art is warm and welcoming as always.
December 13, 2022
Lovely, sleepy blue tinged illustrations. Three farm animals (a mule, a milk cow, and a miniature horse) are hungry for their breakfasts, but the sun and the farmer are late and they don't know what to do. They ask a barn owl for help and follow its advice and the day (but more importantly their meal) eventually makes its appearance. A repetitive framing of the characters as they attempt to solve their breakfast dilemma.
December 22, 2022
A mule a cow and a miniature horse are worried that the sun is late and that the farmer will not get up to feed them. So, they ask the owl who gives them advice on waking the sun.
Some books have a quiet rhythm and beautiful illustrations that lend themselves perfectly to a bedtime story. The Sun is Late and so is the Farmer is one of those. Great repetition, perspective changes, and oh, Erin Stead's illustrations!
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
Some books have a quiet rhythm and beautiful illustrations that lend themselves perfectly to a bedtime story. The Sun is Late and so is the Farmer is one of those. Great repetition, perspective changes, and oh, Erin Stead's illustrations!
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
January 4, 2023
This is a gentle rhythmic story that reads like a classic folktale and would make for a great bedtime read aloud for young children. The story is thoughtful and charming with themes that young children will recognize and latch onto. I love the soft illustrations which pair nicely with the narrative and overall tone of the book. This is one of those books that has the feel of a classic.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Holiday House. Opinions are my own.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Holiday House. Opinions are my own.
January 30, 2023
The sleeping thoughts of giants and sheep, the edge of the world, and the power to wake the sun are all treated with equal importance in Stead's beautiful new book. I have grown to love his quiet sense of whimsy and the intensity he imbues in small moments. This could be an ordinary picture book about a farm and farm animals and yet, Stead's careful telling brings the story in a wonderfully different direction that is always slightly unexpected and wonderful.
March 20, 2023
In this quiet story, a mule, a milk cow, and a miniature horse go out to wake the sun so the farmer wakes up and feeds them. The switch about 2/3 of the way through makes you wonder who is really telling the story. The repeating lines almost lull the reader to sleep but it's a good morning story that should be read to children still fully waking up for their days. Everyone will be ready to shout cock-a-doodle-doo!
November 2, 2023
Beautifully classic and a sweet story about the rooster and the rising of the sun. Love the use of colors and the country scenes.
Read as a nomination in the 2023 Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
The illustrations are more lovely than the story, which was a little tediously written than I wanted it to be.
Read as a nomination in the 2023 Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
The illustrations are more lovely than the story, which was a little tediously written than I wanted it to be.
September 21, 2025
A mule, a cow, and miniature horse are worried because they think that the sun is late rising and the farmer is late feeding the livestock.
This story reminded me of Peep and the Big Wide World Season 1 Episode 5 "Night Light" in which Quack wakes up early and panics because he thinks that the sun has forgotten to rise.
The illustrations were done in watercolor, pencil, and colored pencil.
This story reminded me of Peep and the Big Wide World Season 1 Episode 5 "Night Light" in which Quack wakes up early and panics because he thinks that the sun has forgotten to rise.
The illustrations were done in watercolor, pencil, and colored pencil.
December 30, 2022
I love this duo and the classic picture books they create together – my favorite having to be “A Sick Day for Amos McGee”. While it won’t usurp that title for me, the sweet drawings as a mule, a milk cow, and a miniature horse traverse the farm during the night wondering about the sun makes it a delightful book.
January 12, 2023
If you liked the classic The Animals of Farmer Jones, you will like this barnyard story by the winners of the 2011 Caldecott Medal (and husband & wife), Philip C and Erin E. Stead.
April 22, 2023
A quiet barnyard picture book about a mule, a milk cow, and a miniature horse who determine that the sun is late which ultimately means they don't get breakfast. Fortunately, they consult an owl who leads them to a rooster. The dreamy illustrations and gently paced text make this a cozy, sleepy time read until the "COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!' A comforting, albeit predictable story.
August 12, 2023
I try to rate books from the perspective of what I think children will love and relate to. While I enjoyed this gentle tale about 3 animals on a quest to wake the sun and get their breakfast, I personally didn't find a big appeal for children. It's one of those "adult" picture books. I'm not saying ever child wouldn't like this but overall, I don't see the book being engaging for children.
October 31, 2023
CHE COSA SOGNA IL SOLE? di Philip C. Stead e Erin E. Stead. Un viaggio poetico tra sogno e realtà scandito da momenti di pura magia perfetto per parlare di amicizia, curiosità e coraggio. Con onomatopee, ripetizioni e dettagli sensoriali. Da 4 anni <3 https://ilmondodichri.com/che-cosa-so...
#checosasognailsole #babalibri
#checosasognailsole #babalibri
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews