REVIEW and GIVEAWAY
Colors of the Sun and Moon
by Talia Aikens-Nuñez
Colors of the Sun and Moon, a multilingual children's book by Talia Aikens-Nuñez, is currently on tour with I Am A Reader. The tour stops here today for my review, an excerpt, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
Colors of the Sun and Moon is an English/Spanish STEM book which featuring an inquisitive young girl and her grandmother. The bright illustrations engage children and illuminate the science of the horizon with vibrant colors.
An inquisitive young girl questions her grandmother about the science behind the colors of the sun and moon. With a forward by Spencer Christian. Colors of the Sun and Moon is the second book from the new multicultural, multilingual children’s press, SundanceKid Press. The mission of SundanceKid Press is to promote cultural, ethnic/racial and linguistic diversity in children’s literature. Each page includes the English text along with the Spanish translation.
Excerpt
Forward
As a young child, I was much like the little girl in this book – intensely curious about the wonders of the natural world – asking questions such as those put forth by young Gabriela, "Why is the sky blue; why are leaves green?" My search for answers took me on a fascinating path of discovery, which eventually led me to become a national TV weather forecaster.
If the child in you – or a child you know – finds the world to be a wondrous place, your path to discovery can be found in the pages of Colors of the Sun and Moon. Colors of the Sun and Moon is the story of 8-year-old Gabriela and her wise and loving grandmother – a grandmother who has the answers to all of her precious granddaughter’s questions about the world of wonders they see around them. While Abuela’s answers are simple enough for a young child to understand, they are factual and scientifically sound.
I applaud author Talia Aikens-Nuñez for giving her readers a story that is appealing on so many levels: it is educational, entertaining, and family-focused. What a rare combination of elements! As I read Colors of the Sun and Moon, images from my own childhood flashed in my mind, and I found myself smiling in amusement and amazement. I feel certain that the young reader and the not-so-young reader in your home will enjoy this book as much as I did.
– Spencer Christian, Weather Anchor for ABC 7/KGO-TV, San Francisco
My Review
By Lynda Dickson
Gabriela is a curious girl who always asks her Abuela (Grandmother) many questions. Abuela always seems to know the answers. Today, Gabriela asks her about the changing colors of the sun and the moon. Of course Abuela has all the answers.
The story's text is presented in both English and Spanish, providing young readers with an opportunity to learn to read the story in both languages. Other educational opportunities include teaching your child the different colors, as well as the science behind the changing colors of the sun and the moon. The illustrations by Amy Caringella are full of color and texture. The sequence of images showing the sunset and moonrise is particularly lovely. While the text is interesting, it ends abruptly, leaving the reader hoping for at least one more page. At some points in the text, Spanish is mixed in with English, which may lead to confusion. For example, Gabriela's grandmother is sometimes referred to as "Grandmother" and sometimes as "Abuela". This book could be improved by providing a summary of the facts learned in the story, as well as a list of some of the words (e.g., the colors) and their Spanish translations.
About the Author
Talia Aikens-Nuñez wanted to be a meteorologist, a politician and a lawyer. She never thought she would be a writer. It was the birth of her daughter that caused her to start writing. Raising a bilingual child inspired Talia to write lyrical children’s books. Talia’s family loves nature so much that she and her husband vowed that they will always try to live close to water. They live on a river in Connecticut with their kids.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash.
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