The Sun's Asleep Behind the Hill

by Mirra Ginsburg, Paul O. Zelinsky (Illustrator)

The sun, the breeze, the leaves, the bird, the squirrel, and the child all grow tired after a long day and go to sleep.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1982

About the author

Mirra Ginsburg was a Jewish Russian-American translator of Russian literature, a collector of folk tales and a children's writer. Born in Bobruisk (then part of the Russian Empire, now part of modern-day Belarus) in 1909, she moved with her family to Latvia, then to Canada, before they settled in the United States. Although she won praise for her translations of adult literature, including the Master and Margarita (1967) by Mikhail Bulgakov and We (1972) by Yevgeny Ivanovich Zamyatin, she is perhaps most celebrated for her contributions to children's literature. She collected and translated a vast array of folktales from the Russian tradition, as well as Siberian and Central Asian traditions. Ginsburg died in 2000.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the loveliest titles I've encountered yet, reading picture books! It pleases me no end to learn that the words are adapted from an Armenian song.

Armenia is one of those noble nationalities that has endured terrible strife and, even, a diaspora. That disaspora continues to this day. I'd like to celebrate Armenian culture, in some small way, by reading-and-reviewing this book.

WHAT A LOVELY BOOK!

- Tender illustrations, by Paul O. Zelinsky -- they made this grownup feel way safe and secure.
- And the beautifully paced, picture-book-perfect placing of the song lyrics by Mirra Ginsburg.

Thank you, thank you.

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book wasn't really for me. Very disappointing.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good illustrations depicting the coming twilight and the text gives how the wind subsides, the leaves no longer move and animals begin to quiet down.