THE SUN IS KIND OF A BIG DEAL written and illustrated by Nick Seluk is an imaginative picture book introduction to the Sun and all of its marvels. The book cover, picturing the sun wearing sunglasses and a bow tie as he gets ready to meet his fans, sets the tone for this fact-packed book.
The narration is friendly and funny and talks to young children about the Sun being the biggest thing in our solar system ----- “over a million times bigger than the Earth!” It also describes how the planets revolve around the Sun and stay in their positions “like a big race track in space.”
The process of photosynthesis is well explained as are the coming of the seasons and why we have day and night.
A colorful glossary defines such terms as asteroid, comet, galaxy, meteor, star, moon, orbit, solar eclipse, condensation, precipitation, evaporation and dwarf planet. There’s a nifty interview with the Sun that young readers will enjoy. And a bonus of fun can be found on the poster of the solar system located inside the back cover. Here Mars asks if someone has lost a rover, Saturn, with rings in motion, declares she’s the hula hoop champion, Uranus reveals he spins sideways and little Pluto says from afar, “I’m still here, Guys.”
The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal cleverly written and illustrated in a classy cartoon fashion by Nick Seluk is a sure way to get children 4-8 years of age interested in the milky way and just why the Sun is a big deal (Orchard Books/ Scholastic, 2018).
Questions and activities for The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal
Study the interview of the Sun that appears on the last page of this book. If you were selected to interview Mr. Sun what would you ask him? Make a list of your questions. Ask a parent or sibling to play the part of Mr. Sun while you play the part of a journalist. Go ahead and try out your skills as an interviewer. Have fun!
On the first double page illustration there is a picture of the Sun and the eight planets and one dwarf planet that make up our solar system. Take a look. Also study the second double page illustration that shows the positions of the planets and one dwarf planet in relation to the Sun. Answer the following questions based on your visual study of these two illustrations: Why is Pluto called a dwarf planet? Why is Neptune wearing a cap? Which planet spins differently from all the rest? Which planet is closest to the Sun? Which planet is the furthest away from the Sun? Which planet is the biggest in size? Which of three planets has the most rings? Which of the eight planets is the smallest?
In this book the Sun wears sunglasses and a bow tie. How would you dress one of the eight planets? Think up a costume that reveals the personality of that planet. Draw a picture of your well-dressed planet!
