I really enjoyed this book because of the plot and illustrations. The plot as well as the language within the book was clear and descriptive. For readers, the author used simple words, and he made sure to keep a high level of description in his writing. For example, the author writes, "They walked and walked, until they reached a vegetable patch. In the middle of it was a huge head of cabbage, and on the bottom leaf sat a snail. He was large, with big horns, and he carried his house on his back" (p. 5). This descriptive language is appropriate for the targeted audience. I also like the illustrations because they matched the written text of the book. The brightly colored illustrations are simple, which match the short and simple words that are used throughout the text. This book is about friendship and helping each other. ( )

I liked this book for two reasons. First, the illustrations match the written text of the book. The brightly colored illustrations are simple, which match the short and simple words that are used throughout the text. The bright colors help emphasize the positivity the characters bring out in one another that are seen through the dialogue between the characters. The simple illustrations go well with the simple text and help the audience envision the story as they go along this journey. I also liked this book because the language in the book is clear and descriptive. For a young audience, the author must use simple words, but he makes sure to keep a high level of description in his writing. For example, the author writes, "They walked and walked, until they reached a vegetable patch. In the middle of it was a huge head of cabbage, and on the bottom leaf sat a snail. He was large, with big horns, and he carried his house on his back" (p. 5). This descriptive language is appropriate for the targeted audience. The language use is still simple, but provides an ample amount of detail about the snail and his home. The audience can visualize this because of the descriptive word choice. Overall, the big idea of this story is that friends can help you when you are lost and will always be there to help. ( )

I had mixed feelings about this book after reading it. I liked the book for the illustrations. The illustrations fits the written text and follows along with the story. For example when the chicks are speaking with animals they find along their adventure, the pictures show the chicks speaking to animals. But I didn't like the writing of the book. The story is not engaging for the students. There is a lot of text on one page. Students may loose interest due to the lengthy writing. The message of this story is to never give up in your pursuits. ( )

A brood of fluffy young chicks sets out to find the sun and bring it back to the sky in this folktale from Slovenia, published in 1975, and translated by the prolific Mirra Ginsburg, who has made so many Eastern European works available to American readers. Outfitted by the mother hen with a grain of rye and a poppy-seed each (sounds like slim rations for a long quest to me...), they wander about, asking each animal they meet whether they know where the sun lives, and picking up quite an entourage in the meantime. It falls to the local hedgehog to guide them all up to the local mountain peak, where they hop on a cloud that takes them to the moon, who in turn guides them to the sun's dwelling. Here the animal companions must convince the sun to emerge once more, all pitching in to get him ready.

Although I wouldn't describe How the Sun Was Brought Back to the Sky as a particularly scintillating read, I did find it a sweet, gentle little story, perfect for younger children who enjoy a good quest story, sans blood, guts and mayhem. The scene in which the animals clean up the sun was particularly charming! As someone with an interest in folklore, moreover, I appreciated the fact that this tale was from Slovenia, as I have not had a chance to read much from the folk tradition of that country. The colorful artwork is a little cartoon-like, but is cheerful and appealing all the same. I liked the scene in which the chicks are confronted by the magpie - it was quite charming! All in all, a solid folkloric retelling, although I do wish that Ginsburg had listed her sources, or given some information about the story. ( )