What do you think?
Rate this book
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
Sun and his wife, the moon, lived on Earth and built a large house so that the water people could visit. But so many poured in that they were forced to move to the sky.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
14 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Blair Lent
24 books15 followersBlair Lent was an American author and illustrator of mostly Chinese-themed books, including the popular 1968 children's book Tikki Tikki Tembo. In 1973 he was awarded the Caldecott Medal for his illustrations of The Funny Little Woman, by Arlene Mosel. He also illustrated the book House of Stairs. Lent used a wide range of techniques in his illustrations, including acrylic painting, cardboard cutouts, colored pencil and ink and wash.
Born in Boston, Lent attended the Boston Museum School where he graduated with a degree in art in 1953, after which he went to Italy and Switzerland on a study grant. He worked for the Container Corporation of America designing labels for cans and worked for the Bresnick Advertising Company where he designed bank advertisements.
After receiving positive feedback from a juvenile-books editor at Atlantic Monthly Press, he put out Pistachio, a story published in 1964 about a green cow and a circus that he wrote and illustrated. Under the pen name of Ernest Small, he wrote the 1966 books Baba Yaga about a witch, and John Tabor's Ride, a fanciful yarn about a sailor from New England. Other works written and illustrated by Lent include 1987's Bayberry Bluff, Molasses Flood published in 1992 and his 2000 book Ruby and Fred.
Lent also did illustrations for other authors, some of which became his best-known works, such as the 1964 book The Wave by Margaret Hodges that adapted a story by Lafcadio Hearn, Arlene Mosel's 1968 Chinese folk tale Tikki Tikki Tembo, the 1968 book Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky based on an African folk tale as told by Elphinstone Dayrell, a 1968 retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl and Mosel's 1973 retelling of a Japanese folk tale The Funny Little Woman that won that year's Caldecott Medal. In 1997, Tikki Tikki Tembo was selected by The New York Times on its list of the 50 best children's books of the previous 50 years.
Lent's artwork had been contributed to the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota and the Mazza Museum at the University of Findlay, in Findlay, Ohio.
Lent was a resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts and died at age 79 on January 27, 2009 of pneumonia in Medford, Massachusetts.
Born in Boston, Lent attended the Boston Museum School where he graduated with a degree in art in 1953, after which he went to Italy and Switzerland on a study grant. He worked for the Container Corporation of America designing labels for cans and worked for the Bresnick Advertising Company where he designed bank advertisements.
After receiving positive feedback from a juvenile-books editor at Atlantic Monthly Press, he put out Pistachio, a story published in 1964 about a green cow and a circus that he wrote and illustrated. Under the pen name of Ernest Small, he wrote the 1966 books Baba Yaga about a witch, and John Tabor's Ride, a fanciful yarn about a sailor from New England. Other works written and illustrated by Lent include 1987's Bayberry Bluff, Molasses Flood published in 1992 and his 2000 book Ruby and Fred.
Lent also did illustrations for other authors, some of which became his best-known works, such as the 1964 book The Wave by Margaret Hodges that adapted a story by Lafcadio Hearn, Arlene Mosel's 1968 Chinese folk tale Tikki Tikki Tembo, the 1968 book Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky based on an African folk tale as told by Elphinstone Dayrell, a 1968 retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl and Mosel's 1973 retelling of a Japanese folk tale The Funny Little Woman that won that year's Caldecott Medal. In 1997, Tikki Tikki Tembo was selected by The New York Times on its list of the 50 best children's books of the previous 50 years.
Lent's artwork had been contributed to the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota and the Mazza Museum at the University of Findlay, in Findlay, Ohio.
Lent was a resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts and died at age 79 on January 27, 2009 of pneumonia in Medford, Massachusetts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
March 28, 2019
I enjoy how this is told like you might see a village play acting out the story. The players all wear amazing headgear as the characters of the Sun, Moon and Water. It is a simple and straight forward telling of this legend of the Sun and Moon in the Sky.
Sun and Water are friends and Sun always goes to visit water. Sun wants water to come visit him and water warns sun that he has to build an extra big house. Sun does this and invites water over and water brings all his family with him. He keeps asking if it’s ok to let more family in and the Sun says yes. Eventually water floods the home and the Sun and Moon must go up in the sky as there is no room left. It’s another world story about the great flood. Every culture has them.
The niece thought this story was ok. It didn’t make much sense to her. She gave it 2 stars. The nephew liked the masks they wore. He thought this story was ok too, not funny, but a little weird too. He gave this 3 stars.
Sun and Water are friends and Sun always goes to visit water. Sun wants water to come visit him and water warns sun that he has to build an extra big house. Sun does this and invites water over and water brings all his family with him. He keeps asking if it’s ok to let more family in and the Sun says yes. Eventually water floods the home and the Sun and Moon must go up in the sky as there is no room left. It’s another world story about the great flood. Every culture has them.
The niece thought this story was ok. It didn’t make much sense to her. She gave it 2 stars. The nephew liked the masks they wore. He thought this story was ok too, not funny, but a little weird too. He gave this 3 stars.
April 12, 2011
Very simply told, with great illustrations. I particularly liked all of the fish and water animals. The note at the end says, "The story of how the sun and the moon came to live in the sky is told here as it might have been with African tribesmen dressed to represent the elements and the creatures of the sea." Since the illustrations depict people dressed as the sun, the moon, the water, fish, and various water animals, it makes me think it would be a fun story for students to dress up and act out. This would work great in a library or classroom studying Africa or African folktales and is a great addition to any library's folktale collection. This won a Caldecott Honor in 1969.
June 14, 2018
There's not a lot to this story, which is based on a folktale told by the Efik-Ibibio peoples of Southeastern Nigeria, but I did really like the author's illustrations.
July 14, 2015
The masks give a feeling of dance and movement to the classic story of how Sun and Moon were forced up into the sky. I can almost see the story being acted out, and watched with delight as the inevitable conclusion came to be. I wish the colors would have been a bit more vivid as the actual masks would be, but overall it's a good book and one I enjoyed reading.
December 4, 2017
Title: Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
Author: Elphinstone Dayrell
Illustrator: Blair Lent
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme: Generosity
Opening Line/sentence: “Many years ago, the sun and water were great friends, and they both lived on the earth together, the sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned the visits”.
Brief Book Summary: The sun and water are friends, but sun is upset because water never visits. So the sun asks why, and water says its because anywhere water goes it takes up the whole place, and the sun does not have enough room. So the sun builds a very large house to accommodate water. When water arrives, it begins to fill up the house, forcing the sun, and his wife, the moon to sit on the roof of the house. Water asks if it can continue to come in, and they continue to say yes, until they are forced to go into the sky.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
This Nigerian folk tale posits a previous sharing of earth by sun, moon and water until water visits the house of the sun. Water has warned the sun that his retinue is too large but the sun argues otherwise; sun and moon grow increasingly uncomfortable as water fills the house until they are forced out on the roof, eventually into their permanent places in the sky. As told to Mr. Dayrell by the Efik-Ibibio peoples, it's a difficult concept to picture, a problem the artist handles by depicting African tribesmen appropriately and skillfully dressed as sun, waning-faced moon and water. Mr. Lent's precise contours contain the abstraction by suggesting a dramatic reenactment, admirably represent generalized African motifs. An original approach to a traditional belief, and seeing may be believing.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Publisher’s Weekly
Striking primitive illustrations aid in the retelling of this African folktale about the consequences of an overwhelming visit from Water and his people.
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-...
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I agree that the usage of the unique tribesmen to depict the sun, moon, and water was a good touch to articulate imagery that can be difficult to depict. It created a fun story to read.
Evaluation of Literacy Elements: African folktales can be difficult because they can take elemental objects and personify them. This resulted in illustrations that were largely sparse outside of the detailed depictions of the components mentioned in the story. This allows the focus to be maintained on the dynamics between the elements.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This Nigerian folktales could be a useful tool to deviate from a euro-centric approach to early childhood literature, in favor of more multicultural texts. I could also do a unit on personification, using this texts depictions of the sun, moon, and earth as examples.
Author: Elphinstone Dayrell
Illustrator: Blair Lent
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme: Generosity
Opening Line/sentence: “Many years ago, the sun and water were great friends, and they both lived on the earth together, the sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned the visits”.
Brief Book Summary: The sun and water are friends, but sun is upset because water never visits. So the sun asks why, and water says its because anywhere water goes it takes up the whole place, and the sun does not have enough room. So the sun builds a very large house to accommodate water. When water arrives, it begins to fill up the house, forcing the sun, and his wife, the moon to sit on the roof of the house. Water asks if it can continue to come in, and they continue to say yes, until they are forced to go into the sky.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
This Nigerian folk tale posits a previous sharing of earth by sun, moon and water until water visits the house of the sun. Water has warned the sun that his retinue is too large but the sun argues otherwise; sun and moon grow increasingly uncomfortable as water fills the house until they are forced out on the roof, eventually into their permanent places in the sky. As told to Mr. Dayrell by the Efik-Ibibio peoples, it's a difficult concept to picture, a problem the artist handles by depicting African tribesmen appropriately and skillfully dressed as sun, waning-faced moon and water. Mr. Lent's precise contours contain the abstraction by suggesting a dramatic reenactment, admirably represent generalized African motifs. An original approach to a traditional belief, and seeing may be believing.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Publisher’s Weekly
Striking primitive illustrations aid in the retelling of this African folktale about the consequences of an overwhelming visit from Water and his people.
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-...
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I agree that the usage of the unique tribesmen to depict the sun, moon, and water was a good touch to articulate imagery that can be difficult to depict. It created a fun story to read.
Evaluation of Literacy Elements: African folktales can be difficult because they can take elemental objects and personify them. This resulted in illustrations that were largely sparse outside of the detailed depictions of the components mentioned in the story. This allows the focus to be maintained on the dynamics between the elements.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This Nigerian folktales could be a useful tool to deviate from a euro-centric approach to early childhood literature, in favor of more multicultural texts. I could also do a unit on personification, using this texts depictions of the sun, moon, and earth as examples.
November 7, 2019
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky is an African folktale originally told by the southeastern people of Nigeria. It begins with the Sun and The Water as great friends living on land. The Sun loved to visit to The Water and became upset that The Water never returned the visit. The Water did not visit The sun for fear that there would not be enough room for he and his people. The Sun plans to build a large house to accommodate The Water. The Sun and his wife, The Moon, build the best house they can...but will it be enough to hold The Water and his people? Based on the title, I’m sure you can predict the ending.
I love reading folklore, such as this one, to my students. It encourages them to think creatively and challenge the things that they take as fact. It also provides a first hand look into the values of other cultures. The would be a great mentor text to stem off of when encouraging students to write their own folklore tales or creative narratives. It is also a great read a-loud to spark post reading predictions and deeper conversations.
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky is a WOW book for me for its beautiful illustrations and use of dialogue and problem solving. My students are captivated by this story whenever we read it. I would recommend this book for all aged readers, though it may need scaffolding for younger children.
I love reading folklore, such as this one, to my students. It encourages them to think creatively and challenge the things that they take as fact. It also provides a first hand look into the values of other cultures. The would be a great mentor text to stem off of when encouraging students to write their own folklore tales or creative narratives. It is also a great read a-loud to spark post reading predictions and deeper conversations.
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky is a WOW book for me for its beautiful illustrations and use of dialogue and problem solving. My students are captivated by this story whenever we read it. I would recommend this book for all aged readers, though it may need scaffolding for younger children.
August 20, 2011
At any given moment I probably have 3 or 4 children's books on my "to-read" shelf. Given that the shelf currently has 541 books on it, I'd say the children's books are a little under-represented.
I also generally don't review them unless they've been reviewed by another goodreads friend of mine and they're the reason I got the book - as in Luann's review of this one, or I've been forced to read it a dozen times to one or both of my kids...
This was a decent book. I guess I don't have to review it since it was spoiled by the goodreads info on it. One sentence... that's it, and Elphinstone's work was spoiled... well, not spoiled spoiled... because it was still pretty good.
I also generally don't review them unless they've been reviewed by another goodreads friend of mine and they're the reason I got the book - as in Luann's review of this one, or I've been forced to read it a dozen times to one or both of my kids...
This was a decent book. I guess I don't have to review it since it was spoiled by the goodreads info on it. One sentence... that's it, and Elphinstone's work was spoiled... well, not spoiled spoiled... because it was still pretty good.
February 7, 2020
This story is an Eastern Nigerian pour quoi story. The story is very simple and short, however the concept is a little difficult to understand and imagine, so the artist drew pictures that depict the Sun and Moon as African Tribes people who lived on earth. The Sun and Water used to be good friends, so the Sun invites water into the house of the Sun, but the water quickly fills up the house forcing the sun and the moon to live in the sky.
-Observation: The pictures in this book are really unique.
-Connection: I have never heard of this folktale, so it was hard to connect, but (QUESTION) I wonder how commonly known this story is around the world?
-I am surprised it is not a more common story, because as a kid I would have loved to have a reason behind why the sun and was in the sky. I never questioned why, but in different countries many people experience different theories.
-Opinion: I enjoyed this book because it is a unique story with a little bit of multicultural diversity.
-Observation: The pictures in this book are really unique.
-Connection: I have never heard of this folktale, so it was hard to connect, but (QUESTION) I wonder how commonly known this story is around the world?
-I am surprised it is not a more common story, because as a kid I would have loved to have a reason behind why the sun and was in the sky. I never questioned why, but in different countries many people experience different theories.
-Opinion: I enjoyed this book because it is a unique story with a little bit of multicultural diversity.
March 17, 2018
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky, written by Elphinstone Dayrell and illustrated by Blair Lent, is an African folktale depicting how our celestial elements came to be in the sky. The sun always visits the water in his house, and offers for the water to visit his home instead. The water warns the sun that his house must be very large to fit all of his being and creatures. The sun tells his wife, the moon, and after building a larger house the water finally comes to visit, pouring his ocean and all of its inhabitants in with him. With no room left for the sun and the moon, they are forced up into the sky, where they still stay. This folktale is a fun interpretation for children to read, since they know at young ages that the ocean is vast and the sun and moon are always in the sky. The illustrations are of people dressed in African masks and wardrobes to look like the characters they are portraying, as if they are acting out the scenes on the page, which is a different twist on illustrating a story. There is a note in the back of the book that explains this, stating, "The story is told here as it might have been with African tribesmen dressed to represent the elements and the creatures of the sea." This African folktale relates to I Am La Luna, How Music Came to the World, and The Three Little Dassies through its rich use of multicultural influences in the story and illustrations, as well as to The Three Little Dassies as an African tale and I Am La Luna and How Music Came to the World through its similar characters. Recommended for ages 4-8 as a read aloud, as these ages will enjoy the simple story plot and personification of easily recognizable worldly elements. Winner of the Caldecott in 1969.
August 5, 2018
This is a Nigerian traditional story about the Sun and the Water. The Sun would regularly visit the Water at his house, but the Sun's house was not big enough for the Water to visit. The Sun decided to build him and his wife, the Moon, a bigger home to host his friend. When Water came to visit with his friends and family, the Sun and Moon have to move to the sky to make room for Water. The illustrations are meant to represent all of Africa and received a Caldecott Honor. The illustrations are beautiful but the story itself left me wanting more detail.
This would be a wonderful book for Black History Month or for a multicultural unit. It would also be amazing as part of a text set on different origin stories from around the world. Comparing how different groups of people from around the world explain the Sun and the Moon. This could be used at any grade level, in middle and high school, I would have students research different creation myths and even have them write their own creation stories for the natural phenomena in the region where they live. It would also be great to have them research local creation stories from the indigenous people in their area. Lots of wonderful extension activities are available for this story.
This would be a wonderful book for Black History Month or for a multicultural unit. It would also be amazing as part of a text set on different origin stories from around the world. Comparing how different groups of people from around the world explain the Sun and the Moon. This could be used at any grade level, in middle and high school, I would have students research different creation myths and even have them write their own creation stories for the natural phenomena in the region where they live. It would also be great to have them research local creation stories from the indigenous people in their area. Lots of wonderful extension activities are available for this story.
February 5, 2018
Elphinstone Dayrell’s folktale “Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky” provides an imaginative explanation for a natural phenomenon in a way that appeals to young children. Dayrell’s personification of the sun, water, and the moon make this book an engaging read for elementary aged children. I think Dayrell’s folktale makes for a fun and interesting introduction to a lesson on the forces of nature, such as the properties of water, the moon cycle, and more.
Additionally, the illustrations depicted in “Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky” can help to start a dialogue about the similarities and differences between art in literature among different cultures. The illustrations in Dayrell’s book can spark a discussion about art and culture and how they shape our lens on the world we live in.
I can envision this book being used in the classroom as a tool to start a conversation about nature or culture. I think it would be interesting to link this story to a literacy assignment where students could write and illustrate their own folktales based on something they like to imagine to be true in their own lives.
Additionally, the illustrations depicted in “Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky” can help to start a dialogue about the similarities and differences between art in literature among different cultures. The illustrations in Dayrell’s book can spark a discussion about art and culture and how they shape our lens on the world we live in.
I can envision this book being used in the classroom as a tool to start a conversation about nature or culture. I think it would be interesting to link this story to a literacy assignment where students could write and illustrate their own folktales based on something they like to imagine to be true in their own lives.
March 13, 2018
Why the Sun and the Moon live in the sky (1968). A folktale about how the Sun and Moon came to be part of the sky. In this story the Sun and Sea are good friends, the Sun asked the Sea to visit his home. The Sea said that Sun’s house was not big enough. With the help of Sun’s wife, the Moon, they made a bigger home for the Sea to come visit. Unfortunately, the Sea and company were not able to fit in the home of Sun and Sea. Thus, the Sun and Moon end up living in the sky. This folktale is one that is similarly told in Africa. The story flows beautifully with the simple plot and number of characters. In addition, the illustrations and colors capture the culture of Africa and easily help resemble the characters. For example, African tribesmen apparel help identify the sun, the moon, animals and the Sea. I found the story to be interesting with the minimal number of sentences and various amount of colors on every page. I highly recommend this book to read by all children. This book won the Caldecott Honor Book Award (1969); Target audience: children from ages 5-10 years old.
October 13, 2017
Summary: This myth tells the story of why the sun and moon stay in the sky.
Evaluation: Using personification when telling the story of the sun, moon, and the ocean, the story is very simply written and has quality illustrations. The author's note in the back of the text said that he compiled all African culture when creating this story. Overall it is an interesting book to read to the class.
Teaching Idea: There are two teaching ideas that come to mind when I think of this book. 1: Using this book to teach about who different cultures have different views and beliefs (Social Studies) 2: Reading this book in a science context to introduce a solar system unit. Reading this book and then asking why it's different from the real reasons the sun and moon are in the sky is a great discussion and brainstorming idea for students and can get them prepped for the content that is about to be taught.
Evaluation: Using personification when telling the story of the sun, moon, and the ocean, the story is very simply written and has quality illustrations. The author's note in the back of the text said that he compiled all African culture when creating this story. Overall it is an interesting book to read to the class.
Teaching Idea: There are two teaching ideas that come to mind when I think of this book. 1: Using this book to teach about who different cultures have different views and beliefs (Social Studies) 2: Reading this book in a science context to introduce a solar system unit. Reading this book and then asking why it's different from the real reasons the sun and moon are in the sky is a great discussion and brainstorming idea for students and can get them prepped for the content that is about to be taught.
October 17, 2017
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Appropriate grade level(s):preschool-1st grade
Summary: This is the story of the sun and the water who were friends. The sun convinces the water to come over to his new big house, but the water keeps brining all his people, who eventually overflow the house. The moon and the sun had no choice but to go into the sky where they have stayed ever since.
Review: I think this was a very interesting book telling the legend of how the moon and the sun got into the sky. The book is based off of an old African folktale and the illustrations in this book really show the African influence. I think children would be very entertained by this story since the water, sun and moon are something they see and encounter every single day- the can make their own connections to it.
Possible in-class uses:
-What is a folktale?
-Kids can make up their own story about the sun, the moon and the water and draw pictures to go along with it.
Appropriate grade level(s):preschool-1st grade
Summary: This is the story of the sun and the water who were friends. The sun convinces the water to come over to his new big house, but the water keeps brining all his people, who eventually overflow the house. The moon and the sun had no choice but to go into the sky where they have stayed ever since.
Review: I think this was a very interesting book telling the legend of how the moon and the sun got into the sky. The book is based off of an old African folktale and the illustrations in this book really show the African influence. I think children would be very entertained by this story since the water, sun and moon are something they see and encounter every single day- the can make their own connections to it.
Possible in-class uses:
-What is a folktale?
-Kids can make up their own story about the sun, the moon and the water and draw pictures to go along with it.
October 5, 2017
This story is very direct and comes to an abrupt end once all the information has been delivered. I tend to think folk tales that explain natural phenomena like this are silly and far-fetched, and this wasn’t really any exception. I liked the patterns in the costumes on the figures, and the blues of the water people’s outfits in particular. I am also intrigued by the idea of the sun and moon as husband and wife.
March 14, 2015
**** Caldecott Honor (1969) ****
Interesting pictures highlight this African inspired tale about how the Sun and the Moon came to be in the sky.
Interesting pictures highlight this African inspired tale about how the Sun and the Moon came to be in the sky.
April 6, 2025
The reason for the sun and moon living in the sky is set out in this picture book retelling of a traditional pourquoi story from Nigeria. Despite being good friends, Sun is unable to host his friend Water, because he does not possess a structure large enough to do so. Deciding to rectify this, Sun and his wife Moon build a large house, and invite their friend over, insisting that more and more of his people enter their house. As the house fills with water, Sun and Moon must climb higher and higher, eventually ending up on the roof, and then in the sky...
Published in 1968, Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky pairs a story from Elphinstone Dayrell's 1910 collection, Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria, West Africa , with artwork from American children's book illustrator Blair Lent. A British civil servant who was the District Commissioner of southern Nigeria in the early 20th century, Dayrell apparently gathered traditional tales in the region, and had two collections published in his lifetime. The story presented here was taken from the Efik-Ibibio people. The text in this picture book presentation is almost exactly that of the 1910 collection, and is brief and to the point. Although I also enjoy more textually complex tales, I appreciated the brevity and matter-of-factness of this story, as I suspect it reflects the way in which it was originally related to Dayrell. True folktales, particularly those taken from oral tradition, are not always as polished as literary fairy-tales, and may reflect the storytelling traditions and methods from which they spring.
While enjoyable, this title would not have been such a stand-out for me, without the artwork from Lent, who was awarded a Caldecott Honor for the book, in 1969. Lent would go on to win a Caldecott Medal in 1973, for Arlene Mosel's The Funny Little Woman . In any case, I thought the artwork here was striking, and appreciated the way in which the figures of the Sun, Moon and Water were anthropomorphized, depicted as humans wearing traditional masks. I also appreciated the brief note at the end, indicating that the visual motifs used were inspired by various African traditions, rather than reflecting a specific Nigerian or Efik-Ibibio aesthetic. While the latter would have been interesting, I appreciate the transparency of the artist, in noting that his work was not taken from that tradition specifically.
All in all, this was an engaging read, and is a book I would recommend to young folklore enthusiasts. For my part, I hope to track down and reader Elphinstone Dayrell's larger collection of tales.
Published in 1968, Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky pairs a story from Elphinstone Dayrell's 1910 collection, Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria, West Africa , with artwork from American children's book illustrator Blair Lent. A British civil servant who was the District Commissioner of southern Nigeria in the early 20th century, Dayrell apparently gathered traditional tales in the region, and had two collections published in his lifetime. The story presented here was taken from the Efik-Ibibio people. The text in this picture book presentation is almost exactly that of the 1910 collection, and is brief and to the point. Although I also enjoy more textually complex tales, I appreciated the brevity and matter-of-factness of this story, as I suspect it reflects the way in which it was originally related to Dayrell. True folktales, particularly those taken from oral tradition, are not always as polished as literary fairy-tales, and may reflect the storytelling traditions and methods from which they spring.
While enjoyable, this title would not have been such a stand-out for me, without the artwork from Lent, who was awarded a Caldecott Honor for the book, in 1969. Lent would go on to win a Caldecott Medal in 1973, for Arlene Mosel's The Funny Little Woman . In any case, I thought the artwork here was striking, and appreciated the way in which the figures of the Sun, Moon and Water were anthropomorphized, depicted as humans wearing traditional masks. I also appreciated the brief note at the end, indicating that the visual motifs used were inspired by various African traditions, rather than reflecting a specific Nigerian or Efik-Ibibio aesthetic. While the latter would have been interesting, I appreciate the transparency of the artist, in noting that his work was not taken from that tradition specifically.
All in all, this was an engaging read, and is a book I would recommend to young folklore enthusiasts. For my part, I hope to track down and reader Elphinstone Dayrell's larger collection of tales.
February 22, 2023
"Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky" by Elphinstone Dayrell, illustrated by Blair Lent. The book was cute but could confuse young kids, as I found it a bit hard to understand.
The book was like a village tale. It is a legend of how the Sun and moon became part of the sky and not on the same level as the water. The moon, Sun, and water all had beautiful headwear.
The Sun decided to visit the water. The Sun wants his friend water to visit more, but the water people are large in number. The water tells the Sun to build a bigger house. The Sun does this and invites the water people into his home. The water continues to ask if he can invite more people into the Sun's home, and the Sun agrees. Eventually, there are so many water people in the Sun's house that the Sun and the Moon have to sit on the roof of their home. It's a different tale of the great flood; every culture has a different rendition of this historic event.
This book is for older elementary kids and the genre is fiction.
The book was like a village tale. It is a legend of how the Sun and moon became part of the sky and not on the same level as the water. The moon, Sun, and water all had beautiful headwear.
The Sun decided to visit the water. The Sun wants his friend water to visit more, but the water people are large in number. The water tells the Sun to build a bigger house. The Sun does this and invites the water people into his home. The water continues to ask if he can invite more people into the Sun's home, and the Sun agrees. Eventually, there are so many water people in the Sun's house that the Sun and the Moon have to sit on the roof of their home. It's a different tale of the great flood; every culture has a different rendition of this historic event.
This book is for older elementary kids and the genre is fiction.
December 11, 2023
This is a picture book by Elphinstone Dayrell with illustrations by Blair Lent has won the Caldecott Medal of Honor and is intended for readers ages four to eight. The story divulges a mythical story about the relationship between the Sun, Moon, and Water, and how the people of water eventually pushed the Sun, and Moon out of their house and into the sky, where they have remained ever since.
Firstly, the story is filled with exemplar illustrations which despite the lack of a defined background, instead the story brings attention in by the white space of the the page against the very detailed and interesting designs of the characters of the Water, Sun, all of the Water’s people each which engaging and brilliant design, and the Moon. The story is fable sounding in nature, and expands beyond the white space its page floats on– which is brilliantly well-fitting for a story about a pre-conception of the world we know and perceive today: Where the married Sun and Moon stay so far away from the Water they are so connected to.
Firstly, the story is filled with exemplar illustrations which despite the lack of a defined background, instead the story brings attention in by the white space of the the page against the very detailed and interesting designs of the characters of the Water, Sun, all of the Water’s people each which engaging and brilliant design, and the Moon. The story is fable sounding in nature, and expands beyond the white space its page floats on– which is brilliantly well-fitting for a story about a pre-conception of the world we know and perceive today: Where the married Sun and Moon stay so far away from the Water they are so connected to.
April 22, 2020
WHY THE SUN AND THE MOON LIVE IN THE SKY By: Blair Lent
Traditional Literature-Folktale
Caldecott Honor Book 1969
Audience: PreK-3rd
- In this African Folktale, the main characters are the Sun (in a round, orange mask) and the Moon (in a purple, rhombus-shaped mask). The Sun and the Moon once lived as husband and wife in a hut on land. After inviting too many people and other creatures to their parties, they gradually got pushed up from their little hut and into the sky.
- I am not familiar with any other Folk Tale that comes to being as special as The Sun the Moon and the Sky. This book was unique and I enjoyed reading it because I haven’t read anything like this before. After completing the reading I can understand why it has gotten awards.
- I would 100% read this book to a child or group of children during story time. This book is unique, engaging, and different from any book that I have ever read. I think children would thoroughly enjoy this book.
Traditional Literature-Folktale
Caldecott Honor Book 1969
Audience: PreK-3rd
- In this African Folktale, the main characters are the Sun (in a round, orange mask) and the Moon (in a purple, rhombus-shaped mask). The Sun and the Moon once lived as husband and wife in a hut on land. After inviting too many people and other creatures to their parties, they gradually got pushed up from their little hut and into the sky.
- I am not familiar with any other Folk Tale that comes to being as special as The Sun the Moon and the Sky. This book was unique and I enjoyed reading it because I haven’t read anything like this before. After completing the reading I can understand why it has gotten awards.
- I would 100% read this book to a child or group of children during story time. This book is unique, engaging, and different from any book that I have ever read. I think children would thoroughly enjoy this book.
June 20, 2024
Origin stories are endlessly fascinating, to certain readers of all ages.
I am not one of those readers. Right now I'm more fascinated to discover from this book that the story is based on a folktale from Africa. Not, for instance, from the inventive pen of Blair Lent.
I'm especially fascinated that the actual author of this book isn't Blair Lent at all. Blair just did the pictures. Did them nicely.
However, the author is Elphinstone Dayrell. As an author myself, I am not crazy about having the author of a book not credited here on Goodreads.
As for the story itself, it provides some ideas about the Sun, the Moon, and the Water. (Not just the Sun and the Moon, but also the Water.)
How did they come to be where they are? That's what this story aims to explain.
RATING THIS BOOK
In honor of the likely readership of this book, I'll give it FIVE STARS. As an origin story it works as well as any other.
I am not one of those readers. Right now I'm more fascinated to discover from this book that the story is based on a folktale from Africa. Not, for instance, from the inventive pen of Blair Lent.
I'm especially fascinated that the actual author of this book isn't Blair Lent at all. Blair just did the pictures. Did them nicely.
However, the author is Elphinstone Dayrell. As an author myself, I am not crazy about having the author of a book not credited here on Goodreads.
As for the story itself, it provides some ideas about the Sun, the Moon, and the Water. (Not just the Sun and the Moon, but also the Water.)
How did they come to be where they are? That's what this story aims to explain.
RATING THIS BOOK
In honor of the likely readership of this book, I'll give it FIVE STARS. As an origin story it works as well as any other.
September 16, 2017
This folktale explains how the sun and moon came to live in the sky. One day the sun asked ocean why he never came over to visit him in his house. The ocean told the sun that his house was not big enough for him and all his people. So the sun and his wife, the moon built a bigger house. The ocean and his people then came over. There were so many ocean people that the sun and the moon had to sit in the sky to give the ocean people room. They never came back and that is why the sun and the moon live in the sky.
I love this story because it is a folk story from the Southern Nigerian West Africa tribes. It is a great multicultural book and it is a Caldecott Honor Book.
This would be a great book to use for a lesson about folktales and how folktales were created to explain natural phenomenons in the world.
October 30, 2021
The book is an African Folk Tale as depicted in the pictures. The illustrator uses intricate illustrations of Indeginous head pieces and clothing. The book also allows for the reader to have an insight of what water, the moon, friends and family are important in the African cultures. The author portrays a character that is not willing to visit his friends home because it is too small for his family. The Sun builds a new big home to invite Water. When the home is built he invites Water and Water invites all his family and friends, eventually pushing Water and Sun into the sky. It also gives insight to people who may take too much when given an opportunity. The book did win the Caldecott award in 1969.
February 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this folktale. The last page of the book explains that this book is a story from southern Nigeria and the illustration is based on all African tribes and not just one tribe. I found that interesting because the first page mentions that the book is African folklore, not Nigerian folklore. The Sun and Moon build a bigger house for Water to come and visit, however by the time the Water had come to the house the Sun and Moon were driven into the sky. This book also got a Caldecott Honor Book award in 1969. If this book were to be made now in 2023, I think the illustrations might expose more of the Nigerian culture to the book.
September 19, 2017
This book surprised me because it outlines a new and creative way to answer the question, why does the sun and moon live in the sky? There are many suggestions and everyone has an opinion as to why, but this book shares a harmless idea of how the sun just wanted to invite his friend water over to his house. There was so much water, the sun and moon had to keep going up and up that they ended up in the sky and that's where they stayed. This was a neat idea to answer that question. That question could be used as a topic for students to write about.
November 11, 2018
I like this book because the Sun wants the Water to come to his house, but he doesn't have a big enough house, so they start building a big enough house and the water starts flowing in and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of creatures like water bulls flow in the house. And then the roof comes off and then the Sun and the Moon need to sit on the roof and then they float in the sky.
The End.
The End.
June 6, 2019
2.5 overall. 5 stars for the story and 1 star for the illustrations. I am not sure why this won a Caldecott as the illustrations are a mix of African cultures which is pretty insulting. It would have been more appropriate for them to have matched those of Southeastern Nigeria instead.
Makes for a good flannel board if you modify the story to call out each individual animal, and have the kids bring them up.
Makes for a good flannel board if you modify the story to call out each individual animal, and have the kids bring them up.
December 19, 2023
I was reading this story for my daughter. it was fun for her and kind imaginary.
For me, it highlighting the cautionary lesson about inviting significant changes into one's life without anticipating the potential for major transformations, even to the extent of being displaced from one's own home—resonates deeply with me.
I am not inviting people to my life and I don't feel it. This explains it well.
For me, it highlighting the cautionary lesson about inviting significant changes into one's life without anticipating the potential for major transformations, even to the extent of being displaced from one's own home—resonates deeply with me.
I am not inviting people to my life and I don't feel it. This explains it well.
October 1, 2017
This story explains why the sun and the moon live in the sky. I love the illustrations throughout this book! The illustrator really incorporated the tribal culture with the colors and the shapes in the characters. I love how they have a tribal look to them. This would be a cute story to share with young children. I think they would really like the illustrations and the story.
November 11, 2017
• 1969 Caldecott Honor Book •
I loved the ending - great book! I really enjoyed reading this - just a really simple, straightforward story. The illustrations are great and I especially enjoyed the masks of the water people. I love the colors too! Five stars all the way!
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
I loved the ending - great book! I really enjoyed reading this - just a really simple, straightforward story. The illustrations are great and I especially enjoyed the masks of the water people. I love the colors too! Five stars all the way!
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews