By Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Neal Porter Books, 2022
Picture book, 40 pages, ages 4-8
A mule, a milk cow, and a miniature horse are waiting for the sun to rise. “The sun is late,” says the mule. The cow replies, “And so is the farmer.” A sleeping farmer means no breakfast, so they decide to talk to the barn owl, who will know what to do. The barn owl says that they need to journey to the edge of the world to wake the sun, which will wake up the farmer. It’s a worrying prospect, but they decide to go. “We will have to be braver than we ever thought possible,” says the miniature horse. And of course, they are.
A gorgeously illustrated, imaginative journey.
This husband-and-wife author-and-illustrator team has done it again, created another picture book gem. The story is exquisitely paced, building a world where adventure and being brave feel safe and comforting. Philip C. Stead’s words read like poetry. He says so much with few words, masterful storytelling. Erin E. Stead’s art sets the stage, using panel illustrations with wide margins to zoom in on the characters, making the story more intimate, and then zooming out to two-page spread illustrations that expand their world. Her characters are endearing and approachable.
While there are lessons to be found (being brave, facing challenges, working together), at its heart, this is just a good, old-fashioned story. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
Will kids like this book? As a kid, I would have loved it and read it until the pages were worn and dogeared. As a kid at heart, I’ll keep coming back to this one when I’m in the mood for a cozy read or to enjoy some seriously good illustrations. It’s a quiet, slow read, perfect for snuggly story times, bedtime, or rainy days.
The Sun Is Late And So Is The Farmer, by Neal Porter, receives 5 stars from this reviewer.