Good Golden Sun
by Brendan Wenzel; illus. by the author
Preschool, Primary    Little, Brown    40 pp.
2/25    9780316512633    $19.99

This picture book offers an enchanting reflection on the interconnectedness of Earth’s living things and the sun’s vital energy. The story in the illustrations unfolds through a cyclical sequence: the sun rises, illuminating a flower, which attracts a bee. The bee makes honey, enjoyed by a bear; a mosquito bites the bear and is eaten by a bird; the bird’s egg falls and is taken by a mouse, who is chased by a fox; the fox’s excrement feeds the soil and creatures below; and the pattern continues through various animals and natural elements. At the end of the day, the sun sets and the child narrator sings a song—illustrated as radiant stardust—to the sun as night approaches and the moon appears. The well-paced, rhythmic, and question-filled text evokes a sense of wonder and immediacy. It also connects to and extends the visual narrative. For example, on the page reading, “Good golden sun, does your belly ever ache? All the world is filled with sweetness. Would you like a little taste?” a bear is shown enjoying golden honey dripping from a hive. The vibrant, collage-like illustrations are digitally enhanced to create glowing, illuminated effects. Light, shadow, and perspective are thoughtfully employed, emphasizing the transfer of energy from one living being to another. A memorable contribution for readers pondering the universe and their place in it.

From the ">January/February 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.