Sunshine Home [Hardcover]

Eve Bunting (Author), Diane de Groat (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When Timmie and his parents go to visit his grandmother in the nursing home, he can't understand why everyone acts as though nothing is wrong. A warm, touching story of a family discovering how much they need and love one another.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-A rare and perceptive book on an increasingly important topic. Nursing homes are a troubling necessity in our busy world, and Bunting tells of one family's transition with dignity, honesty, sensitivity, and just enough humor to make it bearable. Timmy is seven when his grandmother injures herself in a fall and needs full-time nursing care. On his first visit to Sunshine Home, he is afraid that Gram won't be the same and is overwhelmed by the smells and sights of the place. Mom and Gram are both outwardly "cheery and chipper," but their voices don't ring true. When the family leaves Sunshine Home, Mom begins to cry. Timmy runs back to give Gram his forgotten school picture-she too is in tears. The boy realizes it would be better for all of them to reveal their real feelings and brings his parents back for some honest sharing. The family hopes together that Gram will get well enough to come home while accepting that she may not. Bunting once again tackles the tough-and triumphs. de Groat's realistic watercolor illustrations are appropriately heavy on institutional green and poignantly support the text. A must for children's collections that should also be strongly considered for libraries serving nursing homes.
Jody McCoy, Casady School, Oklahoma City
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. About to visit his grandmother at the Sunshine Home for the first time, seven-year-old Timmie is scared but won't say so. Yet he describes the building as "barf green," his stomach hurts when he enters, and he notices his mom speaks in a "bright and sparkly" voice he's never heard before. Once inside, the visit goes well. Best of all, Gram seems the same. But as soon as Timmie and his parents leave, Timmie's mom dissolves into tears. When Timmie runs back inside to give Gram the school picture he'd forgotten, he finds her also sobbing. Gram apologizes and explains she doesn't want anyone to know she's unhappy because it's easier on everyone that way. But Timmie, remembering how his fears were allayed when he confessed them to his dad, insists, "It's better when you tell. Honest. You don't feel so scared." With that, Timmie hurriedly retrieves his parents, and the four share their feelings about missing each other. In her realistic watercolors, de Groat defines the images of Bunting's tender, true-to-life story: Timmie's face stares out at readers with apprehension before he enters the home, then registers discomfort at seeing a bib tied to Gram when she eats, and finally relaxes when he talks with Gram. Scenes in the home are painted in institutional greens, yellows, and corals culled from the floral motifs in the wallpaper and curtains. Youngsters whose families are wrestling with similar concerns over an elderly or unwell grandparent will especially relate to the dilemma conveyed here with honesty and some sadness but with a prevailing hopefulness. Ellen Mandel

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (March 21, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395633095
• ISBN-13: 978-0395633090
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,106,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars family is everything, January 6, 2009

By 

C. Ryan (Newburyport, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sunshine Home (Paperback)

Truly a wonderful book. Try reading it to your child without choking up. I have. So far I've failed every time. Eve Bunting uses simple, unsentimental language that delivers a powerful emotional wallop. A quiet and unsparing look at how one family faces -- and conquers, if only for the moment -- the fears and anxieties of aging, separation and loneliness.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sunshine Home, July 8, 2000

By 

Joan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunshine Home (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for my 2 aunts when my Grandmother passed away. It is a wonderful book about how people really feel. I found it quite therapeutic after my Grandma died. The grandma in the book reminded me of my grandmother - same sweater, liked to have her nails painted and the same hair style. I read it to my children. It is a wonderful and touching book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sunshine Home by Savannah R, March 21, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Sunshine Home (Paperback)

Have you ever been to a nursing home? This book is about Timmie and his gram. Timmie goes to visit his Gram in the nursing hme with his parents. He spends time with her learning what she does every day. This is a good book with fantastic details, like when the author said Gram was wearing a white sweater with pearls and blue earrings. The problem is that Timmie doesn't want to leave Gram because he feels bad for her because she was hurt. I would recommend this book for kids ages 8 - 11. If you ever go to a nursing home, you should read this book so you won't get scared about knowing what's inside. The theme for Sunshine Home is family is everything. Do you think that Gram will go home with them? by Savannah R