The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal

Gr 2–4—Replacing the standard stock photos typically found in books on celestial bodies, Seluk uses his comic-style illustrations and text to introduce the importance of the sun in our solar system. Seluk turns the sun and planets into silly characters with comical conversations. Talking bubbles, factoids, and upbeat informative text will have readers grinning. Each planet and the sun are given eyes, a mouth, and arms to hold various items. The sun wears sunglasses, Earth is its recognizable blue and green, and Mars is still red. Notes at the beginning let readers know that liberties have been taken with the sizes, though the information is otherwise accurate. The reason we have seasons, why the earth is warm at the equator and cold at the poles is covered, and how the sun plays a role in the water cycle and provides photosynthesis for plants are touched upon. End pages include a well-worded glossary, facts, and some tabloid news about various planets from the sun's perspective. Kids that know some information about the solar system will get the jokes. The silliness might be the trick to get students learning about the sun in a fun way.