Shelf Awareness--Sun & Son

PB Review: Sun & Son

Sun & Son by Linda Joy Singleton, illus. by Richard Smythe (Amicus Ink, 32p., ages 4-8, 9781681527475)

This loving, contemplative picture book by Linda Joy Singleton, illustrated by Richard Smythe (Watersong illustrator), uses carefully chosen pairs of verbs to describe dual-yet-converging storylines about the sun's journey through the sky and a very special day for a father and son.

Early in the morning, as the sun rises, a father wakes his son, bidding him "rise." The sun "shines" and so do the boy's teeth as he brushes. It is the boy's birthday, so his dad bundles him up until he's "warm" (just like the cat dozing in the sun), and they set out for a day spent in nature. Father and son fish, play games, pitch a tent and generally enjoy each other's company. Day draws to a glorious end and both the setting sun and a candle on the boy's birthday cupcake "glow." A new day dawns and sun and son "beam..../ together."

Much like her previous book, Crane & Crane, Singleton's word pairings provide fun, reader-friendly ways to think about the nuances of language. Some takeaways are fairly straightforward, like the different depictions of "shimmer" and "hide," while others, such as "shadow" and "reflecting," invite deeper contemplation. Smythe's illustrations feature expressive faces with large eyes that show the strong bond between father and son who gaze cheerfully and lovingly at each other. Bold, vibrant colors convey excitement, as both the natural beauty and human connections sparkle with life. Sun & Son contains a wealth of meanings and is made all the more accessible by its wonderfully spare but effective word count. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

Discover: In this endearing picture book, pairs of verbs describing dual-yet-converging storylines showcase a reader-friendly way to think about language.