Review - Hello, Sun!

Hello, Sun!
by Sarah Jane Hinder
Date: 2019
Publisher: Sounds True
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

An illustrated picture book for children that guides them through a morning sun salutation yoga flow

The latest from the illustrator of the beloved Good Night Yoga and Good Morning Yoga series, Hello, Sun! gives children a great way to connect with their bodies and calm their thoughts before jumping into the adventures of a new day.

Sarah Jane Hinder’s bright color palette and playful illustrations are filled with nature imagery and fun details for children to find. Beginning and ending with Mountain Pose, children follow along with ten classic postures as they learn to breathe, stretch, and greet the day.

For parents, grandparents, teachers, and childcare providers, Hello, Sun! is a heartwarming way to introduce children to the wonders of yoga and help set them up for a happy, mindful day.

The book includes a complete illustrated flow of poses, as well as a brief history of sun salutations and a special sunshine meditation.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm no expert on yoga, but I still found a lot to like in Hello, Sun!, a picture book that uses rhyming text and vibrant pictures to illustrate the steps involved in the Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutation. A little girl moves through the various poses, accompanied by her cute animal friends. There's plenty to look at in the pictures (insects have never been so adorable!) and the text is fairly strong. There is a bit of factual information at the back that talks about the tradition of Sun Salutations, along with a short meditation and detailed instructions (with illustrations) on the steps of the Sun Salutation.

There is mention of prayer (it's not Christian prayer), so if yoga or other practices from non-Christian religions offend you, you'll probably want to give this one a pass. But for those who are interested in yoga and would like a book that introduces the Sun Salutation to young children, this is probably a good book to try.

Recommended to fans of books like Meddy Teddy: A Mindful Journey that teach yoga to kids in an easy-to-understand way.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5