When the Sun Rose [Hardcover]

Barbara Helen Berger (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

An imaginative little girl spends a happy day with her playmate, who arrives with a pet lion.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As in her earlier Grandfather Twilight, Berger has created a picture book dreamscape, full of radiant colors and intriguing possibilities. Alone with her doll in a playhouse, the young narrator receives an unusual visitor who comes calling "in a carriage bright as the sun." The visitor's consort is a lemon-yellow lion who dines on blueberries and cream as the two girls play dolls and paint a rainbow. At day's end, the visitor departs into a glowing sunset, promising to return. Berger's skillful blending of the metaphysical and a child's inner life make this an inspired work of art.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3 While the action can be described in only one sentence (a friend visits a little girl for an afternoon of tea, playing dolls, and painting rainbows), many lines are needed to convey the activity in these boldly-colored illustrations. The warm glow of the yellows of a carriage made from a rose, the lion pulling it, and a dress made from yellow roses achieves luminescence on paper, heightened by the intense greens, reds, and blues of the countryside and playhouse. The yellow changes to rich gold as the sun sets. The variation in picture size, from small close-ups of the dolls to elongated spreads, adds flow to the day's happening and lends a cinematic quality. The combination of vibrant colors, strong composition, and margin motif together frame a sensation, like a daydream visualized. That the friend may be imagined only adds to the book's appeal. As with Berger's previous books, Grandfather Twilight (1984) and Donkey's Dream (1985, both Philomel) , this picture book provides a vivid showcase for a simple story. Julie Cummins, Monroe County Library System, Rochester, N.Y.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (September 22, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399213600
• ISBN-13: 978-0399213601
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,091,095 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dream-Like, Wonderful Book., November 15, 2000

By 

Nicole Flowers (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When the Sun Rose (Hardcover)

There are few books that are truly magical and can capture the essences of childhood, friendship, and beauty such as this book has. The first time I read it to my son, I was astonished at the brilliance of the illustrations, the magic in the simplicity of the story, and when we came to the end he said, "Let's read it again." And we have, again and again. This one is a treasure, and you will keep it as an heirloom.

One of the reviewers mentioned that this was a book for girls, however I think that you would be cheating a son if you didn't read this to him too. Little boys should not be denied something lovely and fine just because they are boys.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars touchingly beautiful, June 27, 2000

By 

"readertoo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Sun Rose (Hardcover)

Love at first sight is the only way that I can describe what I felt when I first opened the pages of this book. My daughter was given it for her second birthday (there is no child too young to enjoy the illustrations) and for her it was love at first sight as well. She turns the pages and says, "beautiful book, beautiful book" over and over again. This is the only book in her extensive collection that she has quite this response to. The illustrations are radiant, magical, mystical, whimsical, richly colorful and have a golden aura of childhood that immediately sweeps me back to when I was a three years old exploring my grandmothers sun splashed garden. The story is a simple one about friendship with the illustrations portraying a world where the sun rose and was a 'rose', where the little girls friend is pulled in a carriage by a golden lion, where they spend a peaceful magical day together painting rainbows and sharing with one another. As the sun sets the magical day must end and the girls part, but there is a promise of togetherness again. The story is gentle and soft and is a wonderful book to read to your child before bed. Sweet dreams are sure to follow. I love this book so much that I did a search by author for all the books by Barbara Helen Berger...and I bought them all. No kidding. I have to say that this author is a gift from heaven for every child.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readers with the sun, August 13, 2001

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When the Sun Rose (Hardcover)

Another classic tale, this time of a child who befriends a lion, arriving with a chariot each dawn. As the day goes on, the friends share dolls and blueberries and cream and paintings. And at the close of an altogether perfect time, the child asks the lion if he will come again, which he promises to do. Children soon realize that the magical lion is a metaphor for the sun. We read this book so often that it helped our children to read early. Definitely a keeper. Alyssa A. Lappen