To Be Like the Sun (Hardcover)

by Susan Marie Swanson (Author), Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Hello, little seed. . . . Do you really know everything / about sunflowers? With brief, lyrical lines of poetry and exuberant, uncluttered prints, this picture book follows a young girl as she plants a sunflower seed and watches it grow through the seasons, marveling at each stage—from the planting of the seed, with instructions that are written in its heart, to the emerging bud, like hands closed tight around a treasure. Finally, the sunflower blooms, and a glorious spread shows the girl, arms stretched wide, celebrating the flower’s beauty: You’ve made your own sun / up over my head. The poem’s seasonal shifts are abrupt, and a few lines feel as if they were chosen more for their sound than their sense: a sunflower seed is smaller than a word. But the girl’s contagious curiosity about each stage in the sunflower’s growth and the sun-soaked images of summer gardens will easily engage young children, and the basic presentation of the plant’s life cycle makes this a natural for classroom sharing. Preschool-Grade 1. --Gillian Engberg

Review
"Addressing a sunflower seed, a small girl contemplates the transformation from seed to sunflower and back to seed again, from spring planting through winter snow. The poetic lines are exquisite, philosophical yet concrete. . . .Chodos-Irvine's bold illustrations, utilizing various ''nontraditional printmaking techniques and materials,'' juxtapose images of sunflower and sun and emphasize curving circular shapes that reinforce the recurring progression of life, the seasons and day and night. . . . The large, wonderfully patterned illustrations are perfect for sharing, and the ideas lend themselves to discussion and curriculum applications for young children." (starred review) (Kirkus Reviews )

"The lyrical free verse is enhanced by Chodos-Irvine''s colorful linocuts. The blocky yet realistic prints fit the mood perfectly and bring subtle layers of interpretation to the words, as when tiny sunlike fireflies are added to the dusk scene in which the flower is ''thinking about the sun/even when it has gone away.'' Younger children will enjoy the concrete imagery while older readers will appreciate the effortlessly evoked themes of seasons, life cycle, and the miracles of nature." (School Library Journal )

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015205796X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152057961
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #593,902 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, vibrant book, May 19, 2008

By	L.R. Van Cott (New Milford, PA) - See all my reviews

This book is so simple, but it has become one of my favorite picture books...and as a college age library science major, I LOVE picture books! In this story, a little girl plants a little seed, and watches it grow into a tall sunflower. The words are touching and thought-provoking. Though the little girl in the story is talking to the sunflower throughout its life cycle, from seed to flower and back into seeds, it could also easily apply to a grandparent or other family member who had passed away, ending with the words, "I remember: you were taller than everyone. When the winter sky shivers with icy stars, I remember how hard you worked to be like the sun." The two layers of meaning (the sunflower's life and the life of a loved one) make this book that much more special. The illustrations are also lovely and perfectly suited to the text. The illustrator used different printmaking techniques, creating unique, vibrant images. Overall, I would highly recommend this beautiful book!

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointing, March 22, 2009

By	Pauline S. (Indiana) - See all my reviews

The recommendations on Amazon sounded so great--I ordered two for some of my grandchildren. It did not hold their (or my) interest to even complete the book. I have been teaching young children for years, and this book was, in a word, disappointing. Pinky