As Warm As the Sun

by Kate McMullan, Jim McMullan (Illustrator)

French bulldogs Toby and Pinkie learn to live together and form a heartwarming friendship.

Toby loves basking in the morning sun, snuggling in a lap in the afternoon, and toasting his tummy by the fireside at night, but somehow his warm spots never last. What Toby wants more than anything is to find something as warm as the sun that never fades or fizzles.

Then one day, Pinkie comes along, and she starts hogging all of Toby's favorite places. Toby feels alone and forgotten, and slinks away. . . but Pinkie follows him, determined to prove that she is the something as warm as the sun Toby has been looking for all along.

From the acclaimed duo of Kate and Jim McMullan, creators of I Stink! and I'm Dirty!, comes this story about two unforgettable French bulldogs--the perfect story for parents bringing home a new sibling.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Friendship, Pets, Childrens, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 13, 2019

About the author

Kate McMullan is an American children's book author.
She is the author of the Dragon Slayers' Academy series. She is married to author and illustrator James McMullan.

She also has books published under the name: Katy Hall.

Reviews

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Toby is an adorable French bulldog who enjoys lapsits and warm spots on the rug. When a new Frenchie enters the home, Toby feels a little left out until he realizes he has something special. This is such a lovely story about two dogs learning to share a home. For anyone that has added to their fur-family, this book will hit home. The drawings were beautifully done and the story was short and sweet. This book is for anyone looking for a warm (as the sun) and fuzzy picturebook!

-Alyssa C.

[Abigail]

A little French Bulldog named Toby enjoys the warm spots - a sunny floor, a human lap, a place by the fire - but longs to find such a spot that isn't temporary. Then a new dog - Pinkie, also a Frenchie - moves in, and it seems that he is out in the cold for good. Fortunately, it turns out that Pinkie may be just what Toby has been looking for...

A sweet story about a little dog who finds just what he is looking for, in the very figure he at first thought was the last thing he wanted, As Warm As the Sun pairs a simple but engaging text from Kate McMullan with charming illustrations from Jim McMullan. This husband and wife team are better known for their humorous vehicle stories - I Am Brave (about a fire truck), I am Stinky (about a garbage truck) - so it's nice to see them branching out. Recommended to all young dog lovers, and to any child who longs for a companion of their own.

[Shaye Miller]

This lovely picture book is a precious story about learning how to share. It's about a little French Bulldog named Toby who loves the warm spots in his home -- the sunlight on the floor, the fireplace, the cozy lap of his owner. But one day a new little dog named Pinkie comes along and begins invading all his favorite spots. Toby hides in a cold corner all by himself until he learns that you can find warmth in a new friend. The artwork for this book was made with watercolor.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Barbara]

This picture book does a fine job of capturing how the arrival of a new animal in a household can cause problems and make one animal feel displaced. Toby, a French bulldog, who loves basking in his favorite warm spots. It could be that he's getting older, but things that used to please him just don't work anymore. But with the arrival of Pinky, they get even worse. Even though he lets her know that he was there first, she takes over everything, even his favorite spots for napping. No matter what he does, that dog won't go away. Toby banishes himself to the basement and curls up in a lonely corner. But Pinky turns out to be a very good dog. She follows him and provides the warmth he's seeking with her presence as she curls up next to him. As most youngsters know, love and affection from a friend or family member can make us feel as warm as the son. I liked how the illustrations fill up almost the entire page in each spread. They capture the unhappiness of grumpy Toby.

[Anthony]

Toby, a French bulldog loves basking in the morning sun, lazing on a lap in the afternoon, and toasting by the blazing fire in the evenings, but all that has changed since Pinkie came along. She has taken all of his spots, and he retreats to the cold damp basement. Toby soon realizes he's found a spot as warm as the sun, and it will last forever.

[Beverly]

Endearing and heartwarming; adorable French bulldogs.

[Abby D]

Title: Warm as the Sun
Author: Kate and Jim McMullan
Copyright: 2019
Format: Picture book

This children's picture book will truly make your heart "as warm as the sun"! This book follows Toby, a lovable French bulldog who enjoys basking in the warmth of the sun. One day, all the warmth that he has grown to love has disappeared. He dreams of finding the warmth again but remains unable to find it. One cold day, he meets Pinkie. Pinkie soon makes herself at home in all of Toby's favorite warm places. Toby began to feel as if his place in the home had been replaced by Pinkie. He hides away to forget that he is lonely and his followed by Pinkie. When Pinkie finds him and sits with him, he feels warmth coming from her. He learns that the warmth that he feels with his new friend Pinkie will always be with him.

The reason that I chose this book for this age group is because of the story of friendship in the book. I love how Toby learns to accept Pinkie and understand that Pinkie is meant to be his friend rather than his replacement. I think that young children will enjoy the adorable artwork of the two French bulldogs and their home. This heartwarming book is appropriate and appealing to young readers.

[Kate]

This is a wonderful book about how a new & established pet learn to live together.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

As Warm as the Sun by Kate and Jim McMullin. PICTURE BOOK. Neal Proter (Holiday House), 2019. $19. 9780823443277

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Toby was always the king of the warm spots around the house. But when Pinkie arrives, it takes over al the warm spots. Is there any place for Toby in the house any more?

The best thing going for this book is that it can help a young child empathize twith an older dog who might feel replaced by a younger version – or even extend it to an older child getting a sibling. The illustrations are dreamy, but I don’t see this being reread and reread.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Teresa Bateman]

Toby is a dog who loves his comforts--the sunny spot on the carpet, a warm lap, a place by the fire. His biggest concern is that these things don't last forever. The warmth goes away. Then one day another dog is added to the family--a dog who takes over the sunny spot, the place by the fire, and the lap! Poor Toby feels all alone, until the new dog cuddles up next to him. Now it looks like Toby has something warm that's going to stick around. This gently sweet story is nice for dog-lovers, but would also serve for those children who will be welcoming a new sibling.

[Veronica]

Toby is an adorable dog that enjoys the commodity of his home. He loves basking in the morning sun, snuggling in a lap in the afternoon, and toasting his tummy by the fireside at night. But, apparently that is not enough. One day, a new dog arrives at the house and steals Toby's best spots. He feels invaded, alone, and left out. Pinkie, the new dog, does not care and wants to be friend with Toby anyway. That is how Toby realizes that Pinkie may be his new friend as warm as the sun.
I love the story of this book. It is simple and warm enough to win the child's heart over.

[June]

This simple story spoke to me. The importance of others in your life vs. comforts.

A bulldog loves his creature comforts: the morning sun puddle, laps, fires. However, the all go away after a while. One morning there is another dog. whos seems to take over the sun puddle, laps and fire. Feeling displaced Toby goes and hides in the basement. However, Pinkie joins him and Toby discovers Pinkie is as warm as the sun.

[Kaitlyn Shoemaker]

I think this book is great for primary grades and is contemporary realistic fiction. I think anyone who loves animals, or pets would really love this book. I have a dog and I thought this book was very relatable and very cute. It gets you thinking about what you think your pets do when you are gone and how they get along with other pets in your house. Such a great read!

[Dana Storytime Account]

This is a cute newer story about a dog who has to adjust when another dog comes to live with them. It's a cute story on it's own but also would work well as a metaphor for younger siblings or step families merging in to one household as well.

[Mae Dragoni]

Really heartwarming, had good flow and I enjoyed the artwork

[Kate]

I liked the story more than the artwork. Good friendship and new sibling story.

[Kelly]

Sweet and charming.

[Gail]

Lovely, delightful!

[Jason]

DANGIT THIS IS TOO HEART-WARMING! It's not an unfamiliar kind of story, but the writing makes it feel fresh and the illustrations really add to the warmth of the story.

[Stefanie Foard]

This might be a good one to share with older siblings when a new baby comes.

[Allie]

As dog picture books go, it's fine?

[Miss Sarah]

A dog feels he is being pushed out of his spots all over the house by a new dog and feels very lonely and cold. Preschool and up

[Maeve]

Storytime:
Dogs
Pets

[Peacegal]

Aww, this is a cute one. The arrival of a new dog in the household causes jealousy and disruption for Toby, until he realizes what a dear friend she could be.

[Kim Crawshaw]

Such a sweet story. This could be a good choice for new sibling issues.

[Jesse]

Puppy friends warm my heart.

[Tania]

Sun thoughts on a chilly winter night. The best read

[Katie]

Cute book about two bulldogs and their hunt for someplace warm to lie. This could be used in a unit on friendship or dogs; it was okay in a unit on the sun even though the sun was not a big emphasis.

[BookTrib.com]

Sometimes it’s hard to find your place in the world. We seek out and create spaces that make us feel safe, comfortable and warm, but it can be difficult to adapt to changes in our environment.

Such is the case for French bulldog Toby in As Warm as the Sun (Neal Porter Books) by Kate and Jim McMullan. Toby lives for basking in the warmth of his favorite places – his spot in his owner’s lap, his spot by the fireplace, his spot in the morning sun. He dreams of discovering a sense of warmth that never dissipates or goes away.

But all that changes with the arrival of newcomer Pinkie, another French bulldog with a penchant for warmth. Suddenly Pinkie is the one hogging all of Toby’s favorite spots. Even when Toby barks up a storm, Pinkie won’t budge. Before, Toby was top dog; now, he’s not so sure where he stands. Upset and discouraged, Toby slinks off to the basement and curls up all alone in a cold corner.

Lo and behold, Pinkie abandons the warm places and follows Toby, cuddling up next to him in the basement. Together, they create their own pool of warmth, as warm as the sun. This small act of kindness finally convinces Toby that long-lasting warmth comes not from a specific location but from opening yourself up to love.

The rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/07/a-playfu...

[Sarah Hoppe]

A heartwarming book with characters I fell in love with immediately. All Toby the dog wants is to feel as warm as the sun. When Pinkie shows up, she hogs all his warm spots. Toby realizes Pinkie may be the warmth he’s been looking for. Adorable illustrations that made me scoop up my dogs and give them a squeeze.