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Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life
Three-time Caldecott Honor artist Molly Bang and award-winning scientist Penny Chisholm celebrate the wonder of energy.
Living Sunlight shows children, teachers, and parents the remarkable magic of what makes us human.This informative yet dramatic book will mesmerize readers and help further a child's understanding of the energy we share with all living things in nature. We are all dancing sunlight. The book is co-authored by award-winning M.I.T. professor Penny Chisholm, a leading expert on ocean science. A perfect addition to any library!
Living Sunlight shows children, teachers, and parents the remarkable magic of what makes us human.This informative yet dramatic book will mesmerize readers and help further a child's understanding of the energy we share with all living things in nature. We are all dancing sunlight. The book is co-authored by award-winning M.I.T. professor Penny Chisholm, a leading expert on ocean science. A perfect addition to any library!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
February 5, 2013
I deliberately also read Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas the same day as I read this book. This book was published in 2009 and the ocean book was published in 2012.
Outstanding illustrations: gorgeous and wonderfully detailed.
Somewhat boring text, in my opinion.
There are so many fascinating nature children’s picture books available, and this one just isn’t as interesting (in my opinion) as many others. I wasn’t enamored of the sun as the narrator, though others might like that better than I did.
the 4 pages long illustrated text section in the back, gives further information, sophisticated enough that it’s for older elementary school students, or perhaps even kids a year or two older. The information is presented in an interesting enough manner, but while it’s not boring, it didn’t grab me either.
I’ve always been really interested in science, and I liked this book, but I’ve seen this information provided in ways I’ve found more interesting.
It’s obvious to me that this book/these books were written and illustrated with a great deal of love, passion, and work, and I admire the effort that went into it/them. Perhaps it’s my mood (I’m reading under unpleasant circumstance: loud and annoying noises, second hand smoke, etc.) as others have been more wowed than I.
Outstanding illustrations: gorgeous and wonderfully detailed.
Somewhat boring text, in my opinion.
There are so many fascinating nature children’s picture books available, and this one just isn’t as interesting (in my opinion) as many others. I wasn’t enamored of the sun as the narrator, though others might like that better than I did.
the 4 pages long illustrated text section in the back, gives further information, sophisticated enough that it’s for older elementary school students, or perhaps even kids a year or two older. The information is presented in an interesting enough manner, but while it’s not boring, it didn’t grab me either.
I’ve always been really interested in science, and I liked this book, but I’ve seen this information provided in ways I’ve found more interesting.
It’s obvious to me that this book/these books were written and illustrated with a great deal of love, passion, and work, and I admire the effort that went into it/them. Perhaps it’s my mood (I’m reading under unpleasant circumstance: loud and annoying noises, second hand smoke, etc.) as others have been more wowed than I.
April 30, 2009
If there was a prize for a book that contributes the most to basic science literacy, this should win. Most adults could learn something from "Living Sunlight," which works both as a lovely picture book for the first-grade set and as a brightly-colored science Cliff Notes for everyone else. The very lucid explanation of photosynthesis in the main text is expanded in the equally illuminating back matter, which explains what was left out of the main text, and why. (Just as I was getting cranky enough to yank a star over the omission of phytoplankton in the ocean, there it was getting due credit in the "Notes About the Book.") A beautiful piece of science writing.
February 21, 2019
A lovely picture-book examination of the process of photosynthesis, intended for the early primary school student, Living Sunlight emphasizes the importance of plants, in making life possible on our world, as well as the interconnected nature of that life, which all depends upon the energy of the sun. With simple text and bright illustrations, Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm manage to explain a fairly complex process in a straightforward and engaging manner.
I did feel, on reading through the text, that while it will increase basic science literacy among younger children - giving them an idea of what photosynthesis is, and what it does - that it is not entirely successful in explaining how it works. But then, as the authors make plain in their four-page afterword, this is a complex topic. Maybe a basic understanding is good enough, until higher grades expose students to more information?
I did feel, on reading through the text, that while it will increase basic science literacy among younger children - giving them an idea of what photosynthesis is, and what it does - that it is not entirely successful in explaining how it works. But then, as the authors make plain in their four-page afterword, this is a complex topic. Maybe a basic understanding is good enough, until higher grades expose students to more information?
October 17, 2009
The bright pictures in this book reminded me on every page of the power of the sun. I felt a glow radiating out of the illustrations. The text focused on the connections between people and plants and light and energy.
An unusual feature of this book was a note that explains the simplifications the authors made for the sake of their young audience. Interesting. I’ve never seen a note explaining what was omitted from a book.
The children liked the bright pictures and the interactive way the text began. Some of the more complicated connections between energy and plants seemed to elude them.
A Sample:
“ Without plants,
you would have no oxygen.
Without plants,
you would have no food.
Without plants,
you could not live.
Without plants,
there would be no life on Earth.”
Children’s Comments:
Jesse, 5, said, "I liked the pictures."
Ethan, 6, said, "I loved how bright the pictures are."
Ramsey, 6, said, "I liked when the sun was talking to us."
Elizabeth, 6, said, "I liked the sentences that tell what is happening in the story."
Rodrigo, 6, said, "I liked how it exploded."
Aria, 7, said, "I liked the dedication page."
Cailyn, 5, "I liked the title of the book."
Children's Ratings: 3, 5, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5, 3, 5, 5, 5, 3, 5, 5, 5, 1, 3, 5, 1
An unusual feature of this book was a note that explains the simplifications the authors made for the sake of their young audience. Interesting. I’ve never seen a note explaining what was omitted from a book.
The children liked the bright pictures and the interactive way the text began. Some of the more complicated connections between energy and plants seemed to elude them.
A Sample:
“ Without plants,
you would have no oxygen.
Without plants,
you would have no food.
Without plants,
you could not live.
Without plants,
there would be no life on Earth.”
Children’s Comments:
Jesse, 5, said, "I liked the pictures."
Ethan, 6, said, "I loved how bright the pictures are."
Ramsey, 6, said, "I liked when the sun was talking to us."
Elizabeth, 6, said, "I liked the sentences that tell what is happening in the story."
Rodrigo, 6, said, "I liked how it exploded."
Aria, 7, said, "I liked the dedication page."
Cailyn, 5, "I liked the title of the book."
Children's Ratings: 3, 5, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5, 3, 5, 5, 5, 3, 5, 5, 5, 1, 3, 5, 1
January 19, 2009
Through an amazing blend of poetry and science, children learn about the importance of the sun in our lives. There is a sense of wonder about the process of photosynthesis that elevates this book above that of a more scientific text. Here you see the beauty and glory of the sun reflected too. Bang's illustrations capture the depth of space, lacing it with waves of light, showing the same waves washing upon the earth, the plants and us.
This book's text comes in waves too. Waves of poetry that are laced with scientific facts, pinning the high floating poetry down a bit to more earthly concerns. The marriage of the two is so well done that it is hard to see where poetry ends and science begins. Pair that with the scientific yet thrilling illustrations and this book becomes transcendent.
Highly recommended, this winning scientific picture book deserves a spot in every library. If we wonder why children don't tend to become scientists, we can look at this book that will inspire each child to ask questions of their world but not stop wondering and dreaming too. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
This book's text comes in waves too. Waves of poetry that are laced with scientific facts, pinning the high floating poetry down a bit to more earthly concerns. The marriage of the two is so well done that it is hard to see where poetry ends and science begins. Pair that with the scientific yet thrilling illustrations and this book becomes transcendent.
Highly recommended, this winning scientific picture book deserves a spot in every library. If we wonder why children don't tend to become scientists, we can look at this book that will inspire each child to ask questions of their world but not stop wondering and dreaming too. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
March 19, 2013
This book offers a fascinating and enlightening look at the importance of plants to our existence on Earth. The narrative explains the chemical processes plants use to convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into sugars (energy) and oxygen.
The science isn't too overwhelming and the implications are enormous. Children can see how vitally important plants are to the Earth's ability to sustain animal life. The illustrations are wonderful and we enjoyed reading the expanded information by the authors at the end, even if it was a bit long.
Overall, this is an entertaining and informative book and we really enjoyed reading it together. Now we want to read Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas next.
The science isn't too overwhelming and the implications are enormous. Children can see how vitally important plants are to the Earth's ability to sustain animal life. The illustrations are wonderful and we enjoyed reading the expanded information by the authors at the end, even if it was a bit long.
Overall, this is an entertaining and informative book and we really enjoyed reading it together. Now we want to read Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas next.
October 30, 2010
Molly Bang's art really shines and helps to reinforce the magic of the sun. Well, I shouldn't say magic as it's really a lyrical telling of how photosynthesis works and what its benefits are to plants and all the other organisms of the world. It's hard science wrapped in poetry with detailed scientific explanations at the back of the book. Some of this is beyond my 3.5 year old son and although a 5-8 year old child may enjoy this more I feel younger kids can begin to fathom the wonder of the sun and how connected we are to our biosphere.
October 3, 2016
Wow! This book is remarkable. I really, really, really love the illustrations. I also enjoy the sun being the narrator and explaining the process of photosynthesis in child friendly terms. My (3rd grade) students were enraptured by both the text and illustrations and it was a great text to read aloud during our study of living and nonliving things. However, when I read the authors' note that goes into more depth about the details of photosynthesis as well as explaining how they illustrated these details in the book, my admiration for the text and particularly the illustrations increased even more. I also loved that they wrote about a few oversimplifications and admissions in the book. It's a great introduction into photosynthesis as well as the importance of plants to other living things. But it also provides additional details for those wanting to know more.
April 27, 2011
This books tackles the daunting task of explaining photosynthesis, which seems both complicated and dry. Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm make this process both easily comprehensible and awe-inspiring. The magic of how sunlight transforms into sugar becomes apparent and even moving. The story is told from the perspective of the sun, much like in her earlier book, "My Light". The illustrations capture the life-giving energy of sunlight in a glowing yellow, which stands in contrast to the palette of blues and greens in most of the rest of the illustrations. I loved this as a science book that reduces a complex phenomenon to its essence.
January 8, 2013
I have yet to find a book about photosynthesis that explains this process in a way that kids can understand and in a way that is relevant and interesting to them. Living Sunlight, however, does that in a nice circle-of-life way. I swear, that after reading this book I am sure my vegetable-phobic niece and nephew will start to eat more plants! After reading this book, my nephew ate a tangerine, then proudly exclaimed to his sister, "SISTER! I'M EATING A PLANT!! I'M GETTING ENERGY!" Awesome! Now. Bring on the spinach! :-)
February 16, 2017
Text-to-Teaching Connection
This book is a great science book for younger students. It explains how plants use the energy from the sun to grow and make fruit. The book explains how people need plants for food and energy and plants need CO2 to grow. We exhale CO2 and the plants use it and plants give off oxygen for us.
After reading this book I would have my class plant some seeds, maybe some lettuce seeds we could eat. I would also bring in some fruit and discuss how fruit grows on trees for us to eat.
This book is a great science book for younger students. It explains how plants use the energy from the sun to grow and make fruit. The book explains how people need plants for food and energy and plants need CO2 to grow. We exhale CO2 and the plants use it and plants give off oxygen for us.
After reading this book I would have my class plant some seeds, maybe some lettuce seeds we could eat. I would also bring in some fruit and discuss how fruit grows on trees for us to eat.
April 22, 2009
What a beautiful book! Incredible illustrations and a relatively spare yet accurate text work together to explain the process of photosynthesis. This book manages to use scientific terms and poetically explain the singular importance of photosynthesis. I love how it begins by asking the reader to feel their heart -- to feel the living sunshine inside of them. Personal, poetic, scientific and lovely -- the total package here. Great for Earth Day and for any day!
December 6, 2019
Good picture book for 1st grade and great science informational book.
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December 9, 2014This is an example of an informational book because it provides facts and information about a certain topic. The topic in this book is the importance of the sun and plants in sustaining our lives, including details and scientific facts about photosynthesis that explain the chemical processes plants use to convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into sugars (energy) and oxygen. The content is delivered in simple, poetic language. Illustrations are beautifully crafted and captivating, which is bound to peak interest with students and make complex concepts more appealing.
I would recommend this book for grades K-5. Grades 3-5 can benefit more directly from the additional scientific information provided in the back that can be used to foster content area literacy skills. Younger readers (K-2) might enjoy it as a read aloud for its picture book qualities and simple straightforward sentences. The book explains how the sun gives us the “gift of energy,” how plants give us the” gift of oxygen,” and why we should include plants in our diet. It is a good way to sneak in some early scientific concepts about photosynthesis and the environment in the early grades without going into too much detail. Young students might be fascinated to hear that “plants breathe.”
Concepts to teach with this book include content area reading strategies and comprehension. Students can discuss how illustrations help to support the content and explain concepts. Teacher can model read aloud/think aloud while reading the book to the class, and ask relevant questions to support comprehension. Students can process and summarize information using graphic organizers. They can use drama to present concepts (with roles for the sun, plants, oxygen etc.) They can make visual presentations (arts integration) of photosynthesis and other processes described.
Science integration seems mandatory with this book. Students of all ages, with teacher’s support, can plant seeds in plastic cups and observe how plants grow with the help of the sun, water and air (CO2). If they have a classroom pet, they can feed it plants (veggies) and conclude how plants help animals to live and grow. Content area writing can include reports and science journals about photosynthesis.
A literary writing extension can be writing from a different point of view. In this book the sun is the narrator. Students can choose some other “narrator” for their writing, such as the plants or oxygen (or that “packet of light energy” that is trapped by plants) and tell us why they are important.
The book has a wonderful environmental message that we all are interconnected in this world, sharing life with everything alive. By learning about the energy cycle on our planet, students can discuss why the author refers to them as “living sunlight.”
Teacher’s guides and accompanying activity sheets (versions for K-2 and grades 3-5) – free download at:
http://www.mollybang.com/Pages/lsguid...
I would recommend this book for grades K-5. Grades 3-5 can benefit more directly from the additional scientific information provided in the back that can be used to foster content area literacy skills. Younger readers (K-2) might enjoy it as a read aloud for its picture book qualities and simple straightforward sentences. The book explains how the sun gives us the “gift of energy,” how plants give us the” gift of oxygen,” and why we should include plants in our diet. It is a good way to sneak in some early scientific concepts about photosynthesis and the environment in the early grades without going into too much detail. Young students might be fascinated to hear that “plants breathe.”
Concepts to teach with this book include content area reading strategies and comprehension. Students can discuss how illustrations help to support the content and explain concepts. Teacher can model read aloud/think aloud while reading the book to the class, and ask relevant questions to support comprehension. Students can process and summarize information using graphic organizers. They can use drama to present concepts (with roles for the sun, plants, oxygen etc.) They can make visual presentations (arts integration) of photosynthesis and other processes described.
Science integration seems mandatory with this book. Students of all ages, with teacher’s support, can plant seeds in plastic cups and observe how plants grow with the help of the sun, water and air (CO2). If they have a classroom pet, they can feed it plants (veggies) and conclude how plants help animals to live and grow. Content area writing can include reports and science journals about photosynthesis.
A literary writing extension can be writing from a different point of view. In this book the sun is the narrator. Students can choose some other “narrator” for their writing, such as the plants or oxygen (or that “packet of light energy” that is trapped by plants) and tell us why they are important.
The book has a wonderful environmental message that we all are interconnected in this world, sharing life with everything alive. By learning about the energy cycle on our planet, students can discuss why the author refers to them as “living sunlight.”
Teacher’s guides and accompanying activity sheets (versions for K-2 and grades 3-5) – free download at:
http://www.mollybang.com/Pages/lsguid...
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December 6, 2012Bang, Molly & Chisholm, Penny. (2009). Living Sunlight. New York: Blue Sky Press/Scholastic. 40 pp. ISBN 978-0-545-04422-6 (Hardcover); $16.99
Folks who know me are aware of the fact that I lead a somewhat schizophrenic sort of life. During the day, I devote my life to raising future scholars, artists, and thinkers in my first grade classroom. My classroom library is large; books are essential to my teaching. I use thousands each year to help students investigate questions and become wonder struck. Consequently, when I come across a book like Living Sunlight that opens up avenues of exploration that are immediately understood by all, I feel like dancing. As adult readers should know, our life on Earth begins with the Sun. The very first words of the book provide this epiphany: “Listen to me. Do this one thing: Lay your hand over your heart, and feel. Feel your heart pump, pump, and pump. Feel how warm you are. That is my light, alive inside of you.” Explaining a concept as big and as important as the sun is so much easier when students have a way of feeling that concept within their own bodies with their own two hands! Nice! Bang’s lush artwork and this very lyrical text help young students understand a very big idea: photosynthesis! While the text and the format would lead one to place this book in an elementary school, the concepts are explained in ways that will serve as a valuable review for middle school students. English teachers and science teachers may also wish to use this excellent picture book as a model for expository writing at its finest! The endnotes include much more detailed information, which adds further incentive to see this book as one that is appropriate for much older students than my first graders who will soon be holding their hearts and thinking of the sun! I can’t wait!
Folks who know me are aware of the fact that I lead a somewhat schizophrenic sort of life. During the day, I devote my life to raising future scholars, artists, and thinkers in my first grade classroom. My classroom library is large; books are essential to my teaching. I use thousands each year to help students investigate questions and become wonder struck. Consequently, when I come across a book like Living Sunlight that opens up avenues of exploration that are immediately understood by all, I feel like dancing. As adult readers should know, our life on Earth begins with the Sun. The very first words of the book provide this epiphany: “Listen to me. Do this one thing: Lay your hand over your heart, and feel. Feel your heart pump, pump, and pump. Feel how warm you are. That is my light, alive inside of you.” Explaining a concept as big and as important as the sun is so much easier when students have a way of feeling that concept within their own bodies with their own two hands! Nice! Bang’s lush artwork and this very lyrical text help young students understand a very big idea: photosynthesis! While the text and the format would lead one to place this book in an elementary school, the concepts are explained in ways that will serve as a valuable review for middle school students. English teachers and science teachers may also wish to use this excellent picture book as a model for expository writing at its finest! The endnotes include much more detailed information, which adds further incentive to see this book as one that is appropriate for much older students than my first graders who will soon be holding their hearts and thinking of the sun! I can’t wait!
April 21, 2016
Explains photosynthesis, how sunlight stimulates photosynthesis, and how the products of photosynthesis provide oxygen and energy for other life on Earth.
This book does a fantastic job of breaking down photosynthesis in easy to understand language while not mangling the science of that complicated process. Some of the language used to describe how energy is passed on from plants to other organisms was a bit...ummm, overly-sentimental bordering on ridiculous at times (...'feel the sunlight within you as your heart beats'...). But it does convey the importance of sunlight to life on Earth. I'd definitely use the parts on photosynthesis when talking about this process in science classes. I personally might skip some of the overly-dramatic parts. There are good notes in the back of the book that should definitely be read as they clarify the simplifications made and exceptions to the general statements in this book (such as other organisms besides plants that produce energy from sunlight or other chemical reactions).
This book does a fantastic job of breaking down photosynthesis in easy to understand language while not mangling the science of that complicated process. Some of the language used to describe how energy is passed on from plants to other organisms was a bit...ummm, overly-sentimental bordering on ridiculous at times (...'feel the sunlight within you as your heart beats'...). But it does convey the importance of sunlight to life on Earth. I'd definitely use the parts on photosynthesis when talking about this process in science classes. I personally might skip some of the overly-dramatic parts. There are good notes in the back of the book that should definitely be read as they clarify the simplifications made and exceptions to the general statements in this book (such as other organisms besides plants that produce energy from sunlight or other chemical reactions).
June 30, 2012
Told from the perspective of the sun, Molly Bang and Penn Chisholm describe the role of plants on earth. They tell about photosynthesis, explain how carbon dioxide and oxygen are important to plants and animals, and describe how living things get energy. The illustrations are vibrant, interesting, and a wonderful compliment to the story. A very thorough but complete overview of the role of plants on earth.
Recommended for grades 2 - 5, though obviously with different levels of support; best when used to support the curriculum in grades 3 and 4. This text has a lot of great nonfiction read aloud value, and I liked Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas even more.
Recommended for grades 2 - 5, though obviously with different levels of support; best when used to support the curriculum in grades 3 and 4. This text has a lot of great nonfiction read aloud value, and I liked Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas even more.
December 16, 2015
Summary: Living Sunlight, by Molly Bang is a book about the process of photosynthesis. This book is unique in that it is written from the perspective of the sun and discusses photosynthesis at the molecular level in a simple way that children can understand.
Genre: Informational text
Classroom Use: I would use this in a unit on plants to help students to understand the process of photosynthesis. I would use this as a read aloud when introducing the topic of photosynthesis to help engage students in the lesson.
Writing Traits:
Voice: The author wrote this book with knowledge and passion and explains the concepts from the perspective of the sun.
Presentation: This book has a great presentation. The words and pictures are arranged nicely on the pages so the reader can make clear connections between the writing and the illustrations.
Reading Level: 2.4
Interest Level: 2nd-5th grade
Genre: Informational text
Classroom Use: I would use this in a unit on plants to help students to understand the process of photosynthesis. I would use this as a read aloud when introducing the topic of photosynthesis to help engage students in the lesson.
Writing Traits:
Voice: The author wrote this book with knowledge and passion and explains the concepts from the perspective of the sun.
Presentation: This book has a great presentation. The words and pictures are arranged nicely on the pages so the reader can make clear connections between the writing and the illustrations.
Reading Level: 2.4
Interest Level: 2nd-5th grade
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July 17, 2017I like this book, but the front will be very difficult for some children to read.
Subject: Photosynthesis -- Juvenile literature.
Sunshine -- Juvenile literature
Three-time Caldecott Honor artist Molly Bang celebrates the wonder of energy.
Here is a stunning, poetic exploration of the universal energy force within us all. Award winner Molly Bang presents the amazing story of how light from the sun is transformed into energy on Earth-and becomes YOU! Clear, accessible, and dazzling, Living Sunlight shows children, teachers, and parents alike the remarkable magic of what makes us human. This informative yet dramatic book will mesmerize readers and help further a child's understanding of the energy we share with all living things in nature. We are all living sunlight. A perfect addition to any library!
Subject: Photosynthesis -- Juvenile literature.
Sunshine -- Juvenile literature
Three-time Caldecott Honor artist Molly Bang celebrates the wonder of energy.
Here is a stunning, poetic exploration of the universal energy force within us all. Award winner Molly Bang presents the amazing story of how light from the sun is transformed into energy on Earth-and becomes YOU! Clear, accessible, and dazzling, Living Sunlight shows children, teachers, and parents alike the remarkable magic of what makes us human. This informative yet dramatic book will mesmerize readers and help further a child's understanding of the energy we share with all living things in nature. We are all living sunlight. A perfect addition to any library!
May 18, 2011
An amazingly complex tale of earth's life cycle (photosynthesis) between plants and humans/animals, told simply and powerfully for young children. Great for booktalking because the illustrations catch the eye and the text is straightforward and dynamic. The author's notes at the end give more detail, providing an apology for the over-simplification of photosynthesis, while it acknowledges other ways living things extract, split and exhale periodic elements. The notes are most appropriate for much older readers (ages 9-12), making this book a good pick for both the younger and the older set.
November 28, 2015
It is the combination of artistic illustration and poetic description of photosynthesis and the life cycle that makes this book so recommended for young readers, especially for ages 3-8 years old. My three year old understood the overarching concept and it served to expand her understanding of how plants grow and feed us. She especially enjoyed the concept that we take the energy of the sun into our bodies and it becomes part of us. I did not like how the sun portrayed as speaking in the first person, so I ended up adapting the book for me as the out loud reader to be peaking of the sun in third person.
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October 19, 2014This is a visually beautiful book and a scientific gem. Readers will be able to comprehend the complicated process of photosynthesis and gain an appreciation for the importance of plants in our world.
Of course, some parts of the explanation are overly simplified and thus not completely scientifically precise. I appreciated this, but my son who has a great mind, objected to this. I told him to read the end pages and then he felt better. The rest of us will appreciate the picture book format to understand a complex process.
Of course, some parts of the explanation are overly simplified and thus not completely scientifically precise. I appreciated this, but my son who has a great mind, objected to this. I told him to read the end pages and then he felt better. The rest of us will appreciate the picture book format to understand a complex process.
February 19, 2010
A science book for kids that explains the importance of the sun's energy, why plants and green life are so necessary for our survival and how everything is connected. We're all living sunlight. :) Explains photosynthesis in simple, easy to understand terms.
Not a big fan of the illustrations but they're bright and colourful and each page is very busy and detailed.
Not a big fan of the illustrations but they're bright and colourful and each page is very busy and detailed.
April 27, 2010
This is an absolutely wonderful book that explains how all living things on Earth exist. It really brings the topic to life and allows for text to self and text to world connections. Ask questions and really gets the students involved- has wonderful, detailed, vibrant illustrations. Would be an excellent read-aloud.
June 24, 2010
Molly Bang's bright illustrations guide the reader through this primer on photosynthesis. The narrative is written in first person in the voice of the sun who reveals the sun's role in creating the cycle of energy that continually flows through every living creature. After the poetic narrative of the body of the book, a detailed scientific explanation of photosynthesis is given.
April 12, 2016
This book explains the process of photosynthesis and how most life on earth depends on plants for food and oxygen. This gorgeously illustrated book celebrating the ability of plants to turn sunlight into energy is a joy to read. While the concept of photosynthesis can be complex, this book makes it understandable to toddlers on up to early elementary aged children.
August 22, 2009
Beautifully written and illustrated. Makes complex concepts accessible to children, even involving them physically in the understanding of the process.
Interesting notes at the end about oversimplifications and omissions in the main body of the book.
Interesting notes at the end about oversimplifications and omissions in the main body of the book.
February 5, 2010
A simplified version of photosynthesis and the life cycle that I very nearly took exception to until I read the notes at the back that explained what things were intentionally over-simplified. A good, simple beginning, with more thorough (but not overwhelming) notes at the end.
June 6, 2010
Gabriel said that this had some hard words to read in it (like chlorophyll), which is why he gave it 3 stars. I would have given it 4 or 5. The pictures are lovely and its whimsical while being informative. He's an amateur book reviewer. ;-)
November 4, 2010
A bit new age-y at times, but this book made photosynthesis completely accessible. I studied that process in Jr. High, High School, and college, and this book did a better job for me than any of my former classes. I find that pretty impressive.
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