God Made the Sun

A child reflects on the sun’s presence from morning (“I see the sun begin to climb./ The stars have disappeared./ God’s great big light bulb in the sky/ tells me a new day’s here”) to evening (“Then when the sun starts sliding down/ and carries off the light,/ I’m sure that God, who made the sun,/ will stay with me tonight”). Die-cut circles let a yellow sun shine through each page, and Walkley’s cartoons easily evoke the cheery warmth of a sunny day. Simon keeps the religious content of the book light, instead focusing on the joyful activities—jumping rope, swimming, picnicking, etc.—that fill the boy’s day. Simultaneously available: God Made the Moon. Ages 2–5. (Sept.)