Sun - Story Snug

Sun by Sam Usher

The sun has been shining for several days now – hooray! Summer is hopefully here to stay and Sun is the perfect picture book to enjoy in this beautiful weather! Its sparkly, predominantly yellow cover invites you in whether you’re also basking in the sunshine or looking to add sunshine to your life on a gloomier day.

The Story: On the hottest day of the year a boy and his grandfather decide to go on an adventure. They pack provisions and set off to find the perfect picnic spot. It gets hotter and hotter so they try and find a shady spot with a cool breeze. Eventually they find the perfect picnic place but somebody has got there first!

The sunshine sizzles off every page in Sun which celebrates the relationship between a boy and his grandfather and their enjoyment of a day out together. They delight in each others’ company and Sam Usher has effortlessly managed to show the fact that despite their age differences, while grandpa stops several time for a rest the boy enthusiastically navigates, the two can both enjoy their day of adventure. A wonderful surprise awaits them when they find a cave full of pirates to picnic with and we love the double spread which shows Grandpa and the boy joining the pirates on their ship.

Written in the first person the text is easy to read and features simple repetition. The cover mirrors the covers from Sam Usher’sย Snow, Storm and Rain stories which show the boy yearning to go outside, all of the picture books are celebrations of the simple pleasures that can be gained from being outside during different weather. Sam’s illustrations are beautiful and I love the full spreads showing grandpa and the boy walking for miles, the colour of the sky changes as the day gets hotter, my favourite shows a burning red sky. My daughter loves the spread showing the provisions, there are lots of snacks, useful items like a torch and compass as well as soft toys dressed as pirates which provide a hint of the adventure to come and add to the fantasy – did the boy and grandpa really meet pirates or have they both got really great imaginations?

We hope that this wonderful story will inspire children and their grandfathers to have their own adventures!

Sam Usher visited Story Snug to tell us how he created the pirate ship illustration. It’s a fascinating blogpost which shows just how much time and work goes into just one picture book double spread!

Age Range: 3+

Author / Illustrator: Sam Usher

Thank you to Templar Publishing for sending us a copy of Sun. It’s a perfect summer picture book โ˜€๏ธ


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26 responses to “Sun by Sam Usher”


  1. Debbie Roberts avatar

    …….. OooOooooooo just realised I typed Carol & not Catherine! A huge apology! In my defence, I have yet to finish my first coffee of the day & it is Monday morning! x


    1. Catherine avatar

      No worries. Enjoy your coffee, just about to have my first of the week ๐Ÿ™‚


  2. Debbie Roberts avatar

    Hi Carol, part of the joy of reading children’s books are the illustrations. A good illustration really adds to the story and makes it more fun. This book sounds perfect for getting imaginations working overtime, in both children and adults.

    xx


    1. Catherine avatar

      It is a really universal story that both adults and children can relate to. It’s fascinating to see how the illustrations were created ๐Ÿ™‚


  3. Kate Eccles avatar

    These look so beautiful – Rain is certainly more appropriate today though, we got absolutely drenched! #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      Yes, we’ve had a (hopefully!) temporary reprieve from summer but the garden is very happy to have had such a good drink ๐Ÿ™‚


  4. Yet Another Blogging Mummy avatar

    This sounds a delightful book and I always love that style of illustration, very classic


    1. Catherine avatar

      The illustrations are beautiful, lots of amazing double page spreads full of little details ๐Ÿ™‚


  5. Sarah MumofThree World avatar

    This sounds beautiful. Would be a great one for my nephew as he has a lovely relationship with my dad.


    1. Catherine avatar

      Sounds like it would make a great next birthday present for your nephew or your dad ๐Ÿ™‚


  6. Acorn Books avatar

    We love this book too! My 4yo was really happy to see that this one had pirates in it! #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      The pirates are a great addition to the story ๐Ÿ™‚


  7. BookBairn avatar

    Such a beautiful book! I just picked up Rain recently and now I want the whole collection! They need to do one about gale force wind for us in Scotland! #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      They’re all lovely books. My favourite is Snow ๐Ÿ™‚


  8. Rachel@TheDaisyPages avatar

    This sounds like a lovely book to share with young children. Super special for a grandpa and grandson to read together, too

    #ReadWithMe


    1. Catherine avatar

      It’s the perfect picture book present for a grandfather ๐Ÿ™‚


  9. Chantelle Hazelden avatar
    Chantelle Hazelden

    I haven’t read any of these stories but they sound/look like real classics. Thanks for sharing with #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      I think that their simplicity will appeal to readers from generations to come ๐Ÿ™‚


  10. Meals and Makes avatar

    This looks like a lovely book. It sounds like it has a beautiful story and lovely illustrations.


    1. Catherine avatar

      The illustrations are gorgeous, the heat radiates out of the book :o)


  11. mummy here and there avatar

    This is a perfect read for right now with this sunshine we have got X #triedtested


    1. Catherine avatar

      It is! You can feel the warmth of the sunshine as you read the book ๐Ÿ™‚


  12. Louisa avatar

    What an appropriate title considering the current weather! I have never heard of this series of books but know my littlest daughter would love them. I think it’s something her grandad would love to read with her too #mmbc


    1. Catherine avatar

      It would be a lovely book for your daughter to give her grandad as a present ๐Ÿ™‚


  13. Carol avatar

    Sounds like a fun book. It would be a great one to read to kids. #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      Children with grandfathers will hopefully be able to relate to the story and may even be inspired to have their own adventures!