Sunrise, Sunset [Library Binding]

Sheldon Harnick (Author), Ian Schoenherr (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

The first picture-book adaptation of the beloved song "Sunrise, Sunset" from the musical Friddler on the Roof follows a little girl as she grows up, falls in love, marries, and has a little one of her own. Ian Schoenherr's beautifully rendered illustrations lovingly depict growing up in a caring family and a supportive community.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Schoenherr's stunning artwork done in colored pencil, ink, and acrylic beautifully illustrates this song from Fiddler on the Roof. Jewish life in the shtetls of Eastern Europe is portrayed through the story of Tzeitel, Tevye's oldest daughter, as she grows up, falls in love, marries the tailor, and has a child of her own. The lyrics appear in large font on each page and the musical score is appended. However, with no introduction, background note, or explanatory text, only readers well-versed in the plot of the musical and familiar with the song will understand, appreciate, and enjoy this magnificently illustrated book.–Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Perhaps Broadway's high-profile revival of Fiddler on the Roof sparked the creation of this attractive but strained visual interpretation of the musical's ballad "Sunrise, Sunset." Schoenherr's delicately brushed paintings go a long way toward rescuing lyrics pried infelicitously from their musical context; touching double-page spreads unfold the courtship and marriage of a young man and woman, occasionally interrupted by images of the couple as playful children. Unfortunately, it's hard not to notice the odd juxtaposition between the consistently joyful images and the song's bittersweet undertones ("One season following another, / Laden with happiness and tears"), and the shtetl setting comes without any discussion that might contextualize the imagery for readers unfamiliar with traditional Jewish culture. Still, music instructors eager for books with tie-ins to familiar songs may appreciate this effort, as will libraries serving large Jewish communities, whose Orthodox members will see many of their own traditions reflected here. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (October 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060515279
• ISBN-13: 978-0060515270
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,207,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your child will love this book., January 16, 2009

By 

Bostonian Reader (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunrise, Sunset (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my family day care. My little 3 year olds learned the entire song by heart in just a couple weeks. From the first time I opened it they were mesmerized with the colorfully illustrated pictures of a little boy and a little girl who grow up to be beautiful and tall. They love the page with the sunflowers and bride under the canopy. And of course the last page with their baby. Even though I've seen the movie and heard the songs a million times I'm always blown away with the words to this song. Life in Day Care is certainly ladened with happiness and sometimes tears. I highly recommend this very thoughtful book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sunrise, Sunset, January 3, 2007

By 

Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunrise, Sunset (Hardcover)

This delightful picture book adaptation of the beloved song, "Sunrise, Sunset" from the famous musical Fiddler on the Roof, would be a wonderful gift item for any wedding, birth, Bar Mitzvah or graduation. For those who have trouble keeping a dry eye when this song is played at weddings, good luck getting through this book! While the reader is transported to a small Jewish village of old through gorgeous, golden-tinged illustrations, the song's lyrics dance across the page, begging to be sung with a wistful smile. Ian Schoenherr's vibrant illustrations follow a young girl's journey through life as she matures, falls in love with a childhood friend, gets married and, by the last page, has her own child. The characters look a lot like the actors from the movie version, including the skinny horse and village rooftops, but one doesn't have to know the story of Tzeitel and Motel to enjoy this tribute to the Jewish cycle of life. One particularly clever theme is the use of bright yellow sunflowers ("seedlings turn overnight to sunflow'rs") that follow the children as they grow and mature. The final double page spread celebrates the joys of a loving family when the young couple observes their baby's first steps as he reaches to embrace a golden sunflower held out before him. This book would be understood by children, of course, but the adults are the ones who will be moved by its meaning. Intended for ages 6 - 8 and appropriate for all ages.
Reviewed by Lisa Silverman

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, August 17, 2010

By 

AMM (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunrise, Sunset (Hardcover)

We got this as part of PJ Library and LOVE it. After 10 readings I can finally finish the book without sobbing, which is good since my son had me read it twice today. A beautifully-illustrated book that does justice to a lovely song.