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My Love for You is the Sun
"This book belongs on the shelf right between GOODNIGHT MOON and GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU." -- NYT-Bestselling Author Emma Walton Hamilton
With soothing verses evoking the beauty and wonder of the natural world, combined with stunning, hand-sculpted clay illustrations, parents and children will cuddle up with this book and read it again and again.
With soothing verses evoking the beauty and wonder of the natural world, combined with stunning, hand-sculpted clay illustrations, parents and children will cuddle up with this book and read it again and again.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
24 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2014
1 person is currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
Julie Hedlund
6 books213 followersJulie Hedlund is an award-winning children's book author. Her latest book is OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? (Philomel, 2021). SONG AFTER SONG: THE MUSICAL LIFE OF JULIE ANDREWS (Little Bee Books, 2023) releases September 5, 2023. She is also the author of, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN, and A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS. reading, writing, or traveling, Julie is busy writing more books and visiting with the kids who read them at schools and libraries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
October 10, 2014
I helped back this book on Kickstarter! I can't wait to get my copy!
This book was everything I hoped for and more. I cried when I read it. It's beautiful. All my favorite kids will be getting a copy for Christmas.
This book was everything I hoped for and more. I cried when I read it. It's beautiful. All my favorite kids will be getting a copy for Christmas.
August 24, 2014
"My Love for You is the Sun" by Julie Hedlund is a beautiful book that my children all loved, and I was more than happy to read it to them. Reading the words of the story to my children was like telling my kids, in yet another way, how much I love them.
The language is beautiful and I have a real soft-spot for rhyming picture books.
The illustrations by Susan Eaddy were wonderful! The art was done in a combination of styles, and, I think, polymer clay was used for some of it. I'm not sure how it was created, but the effect had an almost 3D effect on the images. The colors were vivid and the animals (both parent and baby ones) were adorable.
Even my children who are old enough now that they are reading chapter books and middle grade books were fascinated by the art in "My Love for You is the Sun."
(I received a free pdf copy in exchange for my honest review. I can honestly say that I will be buying this book in print for my children.)
The language is beautiful and I have a real soft-spot for rhyming picture books.
The illustrations by Susan Eaddy were wonderful! The art was done in a combination of styles, and, I think, polymer clay was used for some of it. I'm not sure how it was created, but the effect had an almost 3D effect on the images. The colors were vivid and the animals (both parent and baby ones) were adorable.
Even my children who are old enough now that they are reading chapter books and middle grade books were fascinated by the art in "My Love for You is the Sun."
(I received a free pdf copy in exchange for my honest review. I can honestly say that I will be buying this book in print for my children.)
August 24, 2014
MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN by Julie Hedlund... Warms the heart and soothes the mind.
A wonderful illustration on the love of a parent to a child. Julie Hedlund's words interweave the heart of the story with nature. While Susan Eaddy's clay illustrations mold to the story meshing it into the heart of the reader.
5 PB&Js from this reader!
A wonderful illustration on the love of a parent to a child. Julie Hedlund's words interweave the heart of the story with nature. While Susan Eaddy's clay illustrations mold to the story meshing it into the heart of the reader.
5 PB&Js from this reader!
August 24, 2014
I LOVE THIS BOOK!
The lyrical text and brilliant visuals combine to create a story that parent and child will want to read over and over again.
Author and illustrator were definitely on the same page with this project.
As a parent, grandparent and teacher, I highly recommend this book for every young child - it will sit proudly on the shelf next to 'Goodnight Moon'. But I doubt it will spend much time on the shelf because this is a book that children will want to pore over and hold close.
The lyrical text and brilliant visuals combine to create a story that parent and child will want to read over and over again.
Author and illustrator were definitely on the same page with this project.
As a parent, grandparent and teacher, I highly recommend this book for every young child - it will sit proudly on the shelf next to 'Goodnight Moon'. But I doubt it will spend much time on the shelf because this is a book that children will want to pore over and hold close.
August 28, 2014
If you're looking for a sweet, quiet bedtime story that conveys a mother's deep and ever-present love for her child, then buy this book. The title drew me in right away since I've always called my daughters "sunshine" (and one's now in college!). At first I was surprised that the story strayed from the sunshine theme almost immediately, then I quickly realized that the central thread is love, woven through the natural world, beginning with the warm morning sunlight and ending with moonbeams and dreams. The text has a poetic, lullaby feel and is illustrated with colorful clay artwork made of layers that gives each page a 3-D effect. Some of the language used feels advanced for tiny tots, yet you'll find simple words too, and the overall rhythm combined with cuddly animal pictures will delight young and old alike.
September 9, 2014
Yes, I very much enjoyed My Love For You Is The Sun, a delightful new picture book by Julie Hedlund, with fabulous artwork by Susan Eaddy, and yes, I think it is destined to become a classic, because parents are always looking for special ways to tell their own children how much they love them, the artwork's tangibly inspiring and most children adore animals. But there is another reason I think you should buy this book: Julie's poetry doesn't intrude on itself. It hugs the shadows, where it belongs, speaking just enough to keep a child's interest piqued, the heart lulled, and satisfied with a parent's affection. At first, I wanted more from the book, a surprising ending, or something, but then I remembered that what an adult wants in a book is often very different from what a child craves, and I am glad, now, that the book simply celebrates the most important thing: Love.
October 23, 2014
So this book came to me as a Goodreads Giveaway and it is GORGEOUS. Not many kids books these days have illustrations as painstakingly beautiful as these. The images are formed from hand-sculpted clay and are so fun to look at. I have a six-year-old and a four-year-old and this book has just enough rhyming text to keep them interested. It's at a level where my older child might even be able to read much of the text on his own. It could work well for a baby storytime too. Overall, this book has a very sweet sentiment and is visually arresting. "My love for you is the sun. Rising in your tender heart, It shines on you when we're apart."
October 31, 2021
My Love for You is the Sun is a lovely poem for children and parents alike. Sweet text paired with vibrant images of animals and nature scenes will make this a favorite for bedtime and the perfect gift for new parents. I look forward to reading this with my son. Every time I read it, I have a new favorite scene — the polar bears or the raccoons. The clay images and words are lovely. (*I received an advance copy of this for my honest review)
May 11, 2017
My LOVE for You is the Sun by Julie Hedlund is a joy to read. Every page is full of sweetness and eye candy. Julie Hedlund‘s words and Susan Eaddy‘s illustrations combine to make this a book to treasure. With Mother’s Day coming up in three days this seemed an appropriate book to review today.
The first thing you’ll notice is the size of the book. It’s produced with the pages wider, which gives the reader a more wide view to enjoy. Next is the cheerful face of the sun and then you see that the illustrations were made from clay.
My LOVE for You is the Sun is written in rhyme. Each beautiful two-page spread has three lines of verse, the first line makes a statement, the next two lines rhyme and expound upon the first. The exception is the last verse which has four lines with the second and fourth rhyming. Example: My love for you is the sun. Rising in your tender heart, It shines on you when we’re apart. From there with each page turn you discover more about what a parent’s (or guardian’s) love is: a tree, a river, the rain, the wind, the snow, the ocean, a star – each bringing comfort and reassurance to the child.
This is a smartly written story. With no extra words, no words missing, the nature setting makes very clear the love for the child. The detail in the illustrations is amazing.
The first thing you’ll notice is the size of the book. It’s produced with the pages wider, which gives the reader a more wide view to enjoy. Next is the cheerful face of the sun and then you see that the illustrations were made from clay.
My LOVE for You is the Sun is written in rhyme. Each beautiful two-page spread has three lines of verse, the first line makes a statement, the next two lines rhyme and expound upon the first. The exception is the last verse which has four lines with the second and fourth rhyming. Example: My love for you is the sun. Rising in your tender heart, It shines on you when we’re apart. From there with each page turn you discover more about what a parent’s (or guardian’s) love is: a tree, a river, the rain, the wind, the snow, the ocean, a star – each bringing comfort and reassurance to the child.
This is a smartly written story. With no extra words, no words missing, the nature setting makes very clear the love for the child. The detail in the illustrations is amazing.
February 1, 2015
Julie Hedlund's 24-page picture book contains 9-1/2 beautiful 2-page spreads of the most exquisite sculpted clay scenes I've ever seen. Absolutely gorgeous! Susan Eaddy's illustrations not only complimented the poetic text, it carried it to a new level that warms the heart. It is not so much a story, but a love note from Mom to child.
Even if the book is short on the traditional 32- page picture book, the lyrical text and exquisite illustrations pulls you in. You can't help but absorb and savor every word and every detail of the book, making it last through the night.
This would make a perfect gift for new mothers. In fact, I'm going to give my copy to a friend as a baby shower gift and purchase another for my own keepsake.
My love For you is the Sun is a treasure that can be passed on from generation to generation.
Even if the book is short on the traditional 32- page picture book, the lyrical text and exquisite illustrations pulls you in. You can't help but absorb and savor every word and every detail of the book, making it last through the night.
This would make a perfect gift for new mothers. In fact, I'm going to give my copy to a friend as a baby shower gift and purchase another for my own keepsake.
My love For you is the Sun is a treasure that can be passed on from generation to generation.
August 26, 2014
Beautiful and tender--this is a book I'd keep handy for bedtime reading as well as in the classroom if I were still teaching. The clay illustrations are visual treats. I have a feeling a box of colored clay will come in handy because this book can be the perfect umbrella book for teaching not only unconditional love a parent has for an offspring, but also for lessons on animals and their babies, nature, and art!
The last page's lines seem to be a bit off-kilter and I did have to read it out loud a few times to put the words into a rhythm that the previous pages had but based on my experience, children are very forgiving about such things. I think the delight they'll find in reading the book or having it read to them will not be clouded at all.
The last page's lines seem to be a bit off-kilter and I did have to read it out loud a few times to put the words into a rhythm that the previous pages had but based on my experience, children are very forgiving about such things. I think the delight they'll find in reading the book or having it read to them will not be clouded at all.
August 25, 2014
My Love For You is the Sun is one of the loveliest books I have read in a very long time. Julie Hedlund has evoked the feelings I had a little girl when wondering about the love my parents had for me. The words are calming and the rhyme is beautifully done. It covers all the things in nature that as children we look up to and love. The sun, the tree, the river, etc. It shows the strength of a parent's love and care. I had one misstep with the rhyme on the last page. The rhyme seems off. But other than that, the pacing was wonderful! The clay illustrations done by Susan Eaddy are beautifully done. Sure to become a classic. It already is with our family.
August 25, 2014
There is so much to love about My Love for You is the Sun. Julie Hedlund's gentle rhyming text was a pleasure to read with gorgeous descriptions of sheltering tree-tops to glimmering oceans and as each group of text was in three lines, the third line grabbed me and held me. I could not imagine more perfect illustrations as the 3D style clay pictures by Susan Eaddy were truly delightful in all their brilliant colors and as works of art can be viewed over and over by all ages. This book is sure to be loved by anyone who reads it.
August 24, 2014
What a sweet story. This is a story that not only I would enjoy reading to my son over and over, he would enjoy listening to over and over, as well as looking at the illustrations. Speaking of illustrations, the clay art work is simply amazing. The story and illustrations work very well together.
This is a story for the ages, that our children's children will be reading to their little ones.
Definitely a keeper!
This is a story for the ages, that our children's children will be reading to their little ones.
Definitely a keeper!
August 25, 2014
I met the illustrator at the Bologna Children's Book Fair and saw the clay sculptures of the animals that were then photographed to create the pictures for this book. What a novel approach! It's exciting to now see this book finished.
"My Love for You is the Sun" is a short rhyming story, it's a a mother's declaration of love to her child. It can be read to your little one in about two minutes and the illustrations will definitely attract the kids' attention.
"My Love for You is the Sun" is a short rhyming story, it's a a mother's declaration of love to her child. It can be read to your little one in about two minutes and the illustrations will definitely attract the kids' attention.
August 25, 2014
Julie Hedlund's MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN belongs on the shelf with all of your evergreen "goodnight" books. The rhyming text, along with the gorgeous illustrations by Susan Eaddy, is the perfect lullaby story for little ones. Each metaphor provides a visual as well as textual treat, and that lovely "ahhh" feeling at the end.
MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN is a bedtime hug, sure to become a cozy favorite with children!
MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN is a bedtime hug, sure to become a cozy favorite with children!
September 17, 2014
Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous illustrations.
This is a beautiful, quiet, soothing book. This is a perfect baby shower gift.
It captures everything a parent feels for a child.
In a crowded market of soon-to-be parents, this book shines brightly.
Disclosure: I reviewed a PDF version from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is a beautiful, quiet, soothing book. This is a perfect baby shower gift.
It captures everything a parent feels for a child.
In a crowded market of soon-to-be parents, this book shines brightly.
Disclosure: I reviewed a PDF version from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 28, 2014
Sculpted clay illustrations with depth and feeling and words to match.
This is a sweet story, perfect for new parents or parents to be. Simple stanzas show heart and the texture of the illustrations shows you new things each time you look at the page. I was so taken by the art I had to read it multiple times.
This is a sweet story, perfect for new parents or parents to be. Simple stanzas show heart and the texture of the illustrations shows you new things each time you look at the page. I was so taken by the art I had to read it multiple times.
August 29, 2014
This book is stunningly beautiful. The rhyming narrative is soothing, melodic and heartwarming; the artwork is spectacular. The language is simple, but the messages are not. This book will be a source of comfort for many children. It's so much more than a simple bedtime story. Superb. Don't pass this one up!
August 26, 2014
A great example of how illustrations tell just as much of the story as the words in a picture book. The words by themselves would have made a lovely poem but with the illustrations added it becomes a very charming book.
August 24, 2014
I read this story to my 4 and 6 year old and all three of us were impressed. The rhyming words are lyrical and touching. The illustrations are unique and stunning. This is the kind of book you will want to read to your child over and over again!!!
August 24, 2014
A new RUNAWAY BUNNY!
This bedtime book is sweet. A parent would love reading it to his/her child. The poetic language may be a bit too complex for the young children, but the illustrations will captivate the children.
This bedtime book is sweet. A parent would love reading it to his/her child. The poetic language may be a bit too complex for the young children, but the illustrations will captivate the children.
August 24, 2014
Though this is a quieter book, it is a lovely expression of a parent's love; I'd read it as our last book before lights out. It would also make a lovely baby shower gift. I really liked the 3 dimensional clay art illustrations as well.
August 28, 2014
What a sweet book! The verses send a gentle message filled with love and comfort, and the illustrations, vibrant clay sculptures of animal parents cuddling their children, are amazing! Snuggle up next to your little ones and enjoy My Love for You Is the Sun. It is definitely a keeper!
August 29, 2014
This is one of the most beautiful children's books I have read. Reading it out loud to my son felt almost as though I was singing him a song. The illustrations are so enchanting I could stare at them for hours. We absolutely loved everything about it!
August 25, 2014
This heart warming story is beautifully written and the illustrations are fantastic. Any child who is lucky enough to be read this book by a caring adult is sure to feel he/she is loved.
September 2, 2014
Susan's artwork is absolutely stunning. I would have stared at this book for hours at a time as a kid, wondering how she did it. Mesmerizing!
December 2, 2020
The artwork is sweet, though some of the animals on the spreads didn't match the text in my opinion. The poem is also sweet, but something about it felt contrived, like the words sounded good together, but when you really look at them, they don't make sense. For example, "My love for you is a river. Constant, flowing, sapphire blue, It guides the path ahead of you." Pretty imagery, nice meter and rhyme, but does a river really guide someone's path? I know, it's picky of me, but if this just happened once, I'd let it go. There were too many examples like this that took me out of the story and forced me to analyze, which is not what I want to do when I'm reading a book like this. It's a nice bedtime story for very little ones, just not my favorite.
August 6, 2017
I won a collection of picture books and this was among the lot. I was looking forward to reading it but I was unprepared for the impact it would have on me. What a lovely book! The rhyming text is both soothing and encouraging while the hand colored clay illustrations are breathtaking! I can't wait to share this treasure with my kindergartners. I know they will be as delighted as I am.
August 26, 2014
"My Love for You is the Sun" was a pleasure to read.
The full-spread photographs of bas-relief clay sculptures provide a lively, colorful background that supplements the verse well. The intense colors help the apparent three-dimensionality pop out of the page and along with the rich detail made me want to spend time discovering the illustrations.
The poetry on all but one of the pages is structured identically: an introductory line like "My love for you is the sun" followed by two rhyming lines that explain why. The rhyming lines follow a clear meter and are easy to read out loud, but the introductory line doesn't fit the meter of the rhyming lines, which bothered me. That juxtaposition made me feel like I was constantly shifting gears between meters - even more so on the last page, where I couldn't discern a meter and thus found reading the rhyming text uncomfortable. A stricter adherence to meter would have bumped the book up to five stars.
I appreciate the vocabulary, which doesn't shy away from longer words like "glimmering." My little kids may not always understand those words, but they can hear the tone and feel the atmosphere they create. This atmosphere matches the subject matter and the illustrations well. A minor quibble is that some consonant juxtapositions didn't roll off my tongue on first reading - perhaps further readings will fix that.
In sum, a charming book that stands out from other "warm fuzzy" picture books with a clear concept, delightful illustrations, and well-crafted verse.
Disclosure: I received a PDF of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The full-spread photographs of bas-relief clay sculptures provide a lively, colorful background that supplements the verse well. The intense colors help the apparent three-dimensionality pop out of the page and along with the rich detail made me want to spend time discovering the illustrations.
The poetry on all but one of the pages is structured identically: an introductory line like "My love for you is the sun" followed by two rhyming lines that explain why. The rhyming lines follow a clear meter and are easy to read out loud, but the introductory line doesn't fit the meter of the rhyming lines, which bothered me. That juxtaposition made me feel like I was constantly shifting gears between meters - even more so on the last page, where I couldn't discern a meter and thus found reading the rhyming text uncomfortable. A stricter adherence to meter would have bumped the book up to five stars.
I appreciate the vocabulary, which doesn't shy away from longer words like "glimmering." My little kids may not always understand those words, but they can hear the tone and feel the atmosphere they create. This atmosphere matches the subject matter and the illustrations well. A minor quibble is that some consonant juxtapositions didn't roll off my tongue on first reading - perhaps further readings will fix that.
In sum, a charming book that stands out from other "warm fuzzy" picture books with a clear concept, delightful illustrations, and well-crafted verse.
Disclosure: I received a PDF of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews