The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal

by Nick Seluk, Nick Seluk (Illustrator)

Overview

A hilarious nonfiction picture book from the New York Times bestselling author and creator of Awkward Yeti.

Oh hey, guess what? The Sun never stops working to keep things on Earth running smoothly. (That's why it's been Employee of the Month for 4.5 billion years.) So why does the Sun get to be the center of attention? Because it's our solar system's very own star! This funny and factual picture book from Awkward Yeti creator Nick Seluk explains every part of the Sun's big job: keeping our solar system together, giving Earth day and night, keeping us warm, and more. In fact, the Sun does so much for us that we wouldn't be alive without it. That's kind of a big deal. Each spread features bite-sized text and comic-style art with sidebars sprinkled throughout. Anthropomorphized planets (and Pluto) chime in with commentary as readers learn about the Sun. For instance, Mars found someone's rover. Earth wants the Sun to do more stuff for it. And Jupiter just wants the Sun's autograph. Funny, smart, and accessible, The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal is a must-have!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338166972
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	10/09/2018
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	88,011
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	560L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Nick Seluk worked as a graphic designer before becoming a full-time illustrator. He is the creator of the popular Awkward Yeti comic and author of the New York Times bestselling Heart and Brain, and its follow-ups Gut Instincts, and Body Language. His work has appeared on CBSNews.com, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, reddit, and blogs across the internet. Nick lives in Michigan with his wife, three kids, and a very awkward dog. You can find more info on Nick at theawkwardyeti.com.

Editorial Reviews

10/08/2018
Comics artist and author Seluk (Heart and Brain) educates readers about the sun’s very important job. In bold, bright graphics, Seluk introduces the sun and planets looking a bit like chatty Gobstoppers. The sun’s star status is apparent, from its dark sunglasses to its fawning fans: “Could I have your autograph? It’s for, um, my moon, Callisto,” Jupiter requests. The sun gives light to Earth, provides warmth, and “helps bring us rain and grow plants to produce the oxygen we breathe,” Seluk explains. Using playful analogies, visual gags, and infographics, the author presents key concepts in astronomy: planets are seen moving around the sun on a racetrack, and another spread clearly shows how Earth’s temperatures range because of varying degrees of direct sunlight. It’s a playful, upbeat introduction to the galaxy, with a brief exploration of more distant planets and stars. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal:A Junior Library Guild Selection"This charming star shines bright." - Kirkus* "Readers are sure to find this picture book thoroughly enjoyable and cosmically intriguing. The lone star of the solar system takes center stage as a comics writer and illustrator [Nick Seluk] explains why the Sun is so vital to our existence." - Shelf Awareness, starred review"The silliness might be the trick to get students learning about the sun in a fun way. VERDICT An amusing treat for kids interested in space." - School Library Journal"Using playful analogies, visual gags, and infographics, the author presents key concepts in astronomy... It's a playful, upbeat introduction to the galaxy." — Publishers Weekly"The broad scope of coverage that Seluk achieves in so slim a title distinguishes this from other solar system picture books." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

07/01/2018
Gr 2–4—Replacing the standard stock photos typically found in books on celestial bodies, Seluk uses his comic-style illustrations and text to introduce the importance of the sun in our solar system. Seluk turns the sun and planets into silly characters with comical conversations. Talking bubbles, factoids, and upbeat informative text will have readers grinning. Each planet and the sun are given eyes, a mouth, and arms to hold various items. The sun wears sunglasses, Earth is its recognizable blue and green, and Mars is still red. Notes at the beginning let readers know that liberties have been taken with the sizes, though the information is otherwise accurate. The reason we have seasons, why the earth is warm at the equator and cold at the poles is covered, and how the sun plays a role in the water cycle and provides photosynthesis for plants are touched upon. End pages include a well-worded glossary, facts, and some tabloid news about various planets from the sun's perspective. Kids that know some information about the solar system will get the jokes. The silliness might be the trick to get students learning about the sun in a fun way. VERDICT An amusing treat for kids interested in space.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio

School Library Journal

2018-06-25
A humorous introduction to our sun and the solar system.Webcomic creator Seluk aquaints readers with the sun (sporting a sly grin and a cool pair of shades) and its position as both the literal and metaphorical star of the solar system. Readers are introduced to the planets' general relationships to the sun before diving deeper into the Earth's unique reliance on the sun: "It does a ton of important jobs for Earth. In fact, we wouldn't be around without the Sun!" The book explores everything from the effects of Earth's rotation on our planet's temperatures, daylight, and seasons to the water cycle and photosynthesis with clear and friendly prose. The planets' characterizations are silly and irreverent: Venus wears a visor, Saturn is a hula-hoop champ, and Jupiter desperately wants an autograph but pretends it's for one of its moons. Speech-bubble asides and simple but expressive faces and arm postures add to the celestial bodies' personalities. Bright colors, contrasting backgrounds, and bold lines are engaging but never overwhelming. Vocabulary words set in boldface are tied to a glossary in the back. Backmatter also includes a gossip-magazine-style spread ("Planets: They're Just Like Us!") and a "Did You Know" section that highlights ancient civilizations' beliefs about the sun.This charming star shines bright. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews