Top 10 Sci-Tech Books for Youth 2010, Booklist SB&F Children's Science Picture Book Finalist 2011
"In Wells's latest exploration of the natural world, he makes his complicated topic appealing with ink-and-acrylic illustrations showing both elephants and baboons among plants and trees, looking sadly at a dried-up water hole, cavorting in the rain, standing on a seesaw, even investigating a wind turbine…this is an easy, solid introduction."—Kirkus Reviews
"Wells' picture books have been all about expanding young children’s horizons. His new book, on the sun, provides an approachable introduction to the subject while laying the groundwork for understanding topics (gravity, nuclear fusion) that students will tackle in later years…This title offers an appealing introduction to the sun, as well as a solid stepping-stone toward scientific literacy."—Booklist starred review
"An appealing, easy-to-understand format. Pen and acrylic cartoon illustrations and simple diagrams strongly support and enhance the text. Information is factual and up-to-date…Wells has found a unique way to teach some otherwise difficult concepts…Overall, this is an excellent resource for budding young scientists."—School Library Journal
"Kid-friendly and fun, this new science book would be a nice addition to your natural science collection. Wells uses brightly colored illustrations and bold quirky fonts to share insight into the processes of photosynthesis and the water cycle…Wells does a fantastic job at illustrating how things in nature are interconnected and how things depend on one another for survival."—Library Media Connection
Gr 2–5—Wells presents such concepts as photosynthesis, gravity, nuclear fusion, and the sun's effect on weather conditions in an appealing, easy-to-understand format. Pen and acrylic cartoon illustrations and simple diagrams strongly support and enhance the text. Information is factual and up-to-date (Pluto is not included with the solar system diagram) and covers the purposes and uses of the sun over the years, from telling time to generating electricity. By using the elephant to relate the level of importance the sun plays in the lives of all living things, Wells has found a unique way to teach some otherwise difficult concepts. Some readers might stumble over science terms such as "nuclear fusion," "electromagnetic energy," "photosphere," etc., although they are explained in both text and illustrations. The book concludes with 10 comic-strip-style panels of "Did You Know?" interesting facts. Overall, this is an excellent resource for budding young scientists.—Cathie Bashaw Morton, Millbrook Central School District, NY
Simple explanations of photosynthesis, the water cycle, gravity, nuclear fusion and sun energy are linked together by the answer to the title question: Elephants need the sun for food, water, oxygen and their earth-bound place in space. In Wells's latest exploration (What's So Special About Planet Earth?, 2009, etc.) of the natural world, he makes his complicated topic appealing with ink-and-acrylic illustrations showing both elephants and baboons among plants and trees, looking sadly at a dried-up water hole, cavorting in the rain, standing on a seesaw, even investigating a wind turbine. Large type and the definition of many key terms in context will help emergent readers. Three spreads require turning the book sideways, emphasizing the distance from sky to ground. A series of fast-fact panels at the end offer more about the sun, including some familiar statistics. A final "Thank You Note to the World's Scientists" mentions many branches of science that relate to this topic, but the author cites no specific sources. Less demanding and less informative than Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm's Living Sunlight (2009), this is an easy, solid introduction. (Informational picture book. 5-9)
