When the Sun Rose

by Barbara Helen Berger

An imaginative little girl spends a happy day with her playmate, who arrives with a pet lion.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fantasy, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 1986

About the author

Barbara Helen Berger grew up loving to draw and paint. She studied Art at the University of Washington in Seattle, her home town, where she earned a BFA degree in Painting. During her five years of study, she also went to Yale Summer School of Music & Art, and to Tyler School of Art in Rome, Italy. In Italy she saw the art she had loved from childhood, seen in her father's art books at home.

For ten years after college, she worked as a painter with gallery shows in Seattle. Then beginning in 1980 she turned her focus to children's books. She says, “All along, I loved writing too. My secret wish was to bring art and words together in my own books.”

Her first was Animalia, inspired by illuminated manuscripts (Celestial Arts, 1982, re-issued by Tricycle Press, 1999). Then she went on to create the picture books she is known for, including Grandfather Twilight, considered a bedtime classic, The Donkey's Dream, and A Lot of Otters, (all from Philomel Books). She also wrote and illustrated Gwinna, a fairytale in chapters (Philomel, 1990). In All the Way to Lhasa: a Tale from Tibet, she blended her style with the influence of Tibetan art (Philomel, 2002). And in Thunder Bunny, her newest book, she blends her style with the medium of collage (Philomel, 2007).

Berger's books have won awards for both the art and writing: the Golden Kite Award for Picture-Illustration, Parents' Choice Foundation Award for Illustration, the Children's Book Award from Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, and twice a Washington State Governor's Writers Award. Original paintings from her books have been exhibited around the country. She says, “From beginning to end, the process of creating is still my biggest joy.”

Ms. Berger lives on Bainbridge Island, in the Pacific Northwest. She received the honor of an Island Treasure Award in 2006 from the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council.

Reviews

[Qt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite. It's still a favorite, with its gorgeous paintings.

[Christiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life early on. Now all of my art and my entire definition of beauty comes from this book.

[Amelia Bouffard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most memorable book from my childhood and the pictures have always stayed so clear in my mind. It is so simple and beautiful and encapsulates being a little girl in ways I can only understand now as an adult.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl has a play date with a friend who (actually) shines like the sun.

[Elana Sadlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and illustrated book, simple yet profound, the colors and art have you soaking up every square inch of the page. The imagery is nostalgic, magical, and beautiful. I acquired this book as a child and loved it; still have my copy with me. True art.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and sweet story that my children loved.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations with pleasant story.

[Emylly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, good for figurative language/ similes, very simple story describing the sun rising and setting

[Erik Akre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berger's stories are endearing in their enigmatic simplicity, and the illustrations are truly unforgettable. My daughters would just stare at the pages and point to details in fascination. I was staring right along with them: Berger's is a fully developed vision of imagination, the aura of calm and peace, rich saturated color, and a story moving in a simple but undeniable direction...

Any Berger book has all of this. This is the first of hers that we came across, and I will always remember these pictures and the intrigue they brought to us, reading aloud to our girls when they were young. The colors are so warm, fiery even, yet set with a golden lion and a golden rose (both of them so peaceful), which ground the story visually and in mood. The girl in the story exudes a similar aura of peace. And the whole story is so mysterious and beautiful...

Very highly recommended. Own a copy if you can.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why this book is out of print is beyond my understanding. It is the perfect companion to Grandfather Twilight (also by Berger) and the two together would make a lovely "special boxed set edition". Berger's drawings glow in ways that many other illustrators fail to capture. That is my favorite thing about this book -- the glowing pictures.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love all of Barbara Helen Berger's books but especially this one because my son had it memorized when he was a toddler. We read it so many times that he remembered the words just by looking at the pictures. I'll have to pull it out of storage and see if this is a signed copy because I have a couple of her books that are signed.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has gorgeous paintings and has an imaginative story about a little girl and her doll, and her imaginary playmate who also has a doll and a pet lion as well. The sun is depicted as a yellow rose and there are yellow roses on the dress of the playmate.

[Alexandra Chauran · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lovely book involving a play date with a little girl who represents the sun and roses. It pretty much blew my three year old's mind that the word "rose" could be the name of a person, the action of the sun and also a flower.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite childhood books! My parents saved it and I stumbled upon it at home a few months ago. Sadly, it is out of print now.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child's playmate arrives in a golden rose carriage pulled by a lion.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child, and I still love it today. It is a wonderful way to show the bond of friends and that even imaginary friends are good.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite children's book. Seriously gives you the warm and fuzzies.

[Carri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story with beautiful illustrations.

[Paris Henderson]

A childhood favorite.

[Jill Pickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so sad I sold my childhood copy of this book. I can still see it in my mind's eye.