Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story
Jayme Sandberg, Author
Kathleen Gadeken, Illustrator
It’s All Stories LLC, Nonfiction, Jul. 14, 2023
Suitable for ages: 5-8
Themes: Solar eclipse, Astronomy, Friendship, Emotions
Jayme Sandberg, Author
Kathleen Gadeken, Illustrator
It’s All Stories LLC, Nonfiction, Jul. 14, 2023
Suitable for ages: 5-8
Themes: Solar eclipse, Astronomy, Friendship, Emotions
Synopsis:
Sun is seriously out of sorts about the upcoming total solar eclipse. Will Earthlings go blind watching it? What will they think when Sun’s dependable light suddenly vanishes in the middle of the day? How could Moon betray their stellar friendship?
When totality finally arrives and Moon completely hides our brightest star from millions of Earthlings in its shadow, no one is more surprised than Sun to find Moon helped it shine in a totally different way.
What I think:
Jayme Sandberg introduces children to the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse on Monday, April, in a fun and creative way. The first part of the story focuses on the importance of safety and the necessity of wearing special protective eyeware. She also talks about the science of the eclipse in an age-appropriate manner. It is also a story about the complex relationship and friendship between sun and moon. The sun is out of sorts with the moon being in the spotlight. So this is a heartfelt story about working together. Kathleen Gadeken’s illustrations are vibrant and will draw kids into the story.
Resources: Make sure you check out the Sun’s letter to Earthlings on the back of the book and the Memory Keeper page at the end where readers can’t document their own experiences about the event and day!
I live in Ohio and am very lucky to be in the direct path of the eclipse, There is a lot of excitement here. So this book is going to the grandchildren!. It also belongs in classroom and school libraries.
Jayme Sandberg, APR, is a born storyteller and trained communications expert. Her work has appeared in places ranging from national television PSAs and Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater, to top-tier national television, print and digital media. Her company, It’s All Stories LLC, helps people and businesses share their best stories with the audiences who need them most. This is Jayme’s first children’s picture book, Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
*Reviewed from a puchased copy.