Review Detail

The Sun Never Hurries

Kids Indie 422

Slow down, you move too fast

July 04, 2024

Overall rating

4.5

Plot

5.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Charlie's Papa Joe has an hourglass, and he tells her he likes to remember that days are made up of small precious moments, just like the grains of sand. When Charlie is hungry, she asks if they can go to a restaurant, but instead, Papa Joe takes his time making a delicious soup. The two walk to the village instead of driving, and Charlie notices all of the flowers that they would have sped by in a vehicle. They have ice cream cones at a tiny ice cream shop run by Grandpa Joe's friend, who crafts her ice cream out of strawberries and patience. They go out to a small island in a boat that Grandpa rows, and find a swing that he made out of branches. As she asks her grandfather about whether or not they took their time during the day, he says it's important that they watch the sun set, because it is never in a hurry.

Good Points

I'm not a fan of being busy, so I loved Grandpa Joe's philosophy, and the effective way that he is able to share it with his granddaughter. As the comedian Steven Wright said, “Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time.”! Charlie is very accepting of this new philosophy, and spends time looking at the falling leaves and the sun shining on the water.

The illustrations are rendered in bright but warm oranges and yellows, with accents of gray and green, and are very lovely. They add to the leisurely feel of the book; it's the literary equivalent of sitting outside with the sun shining on your face! I can see this being a favorite bedtime story, especially after busy days of running around.

I love the idea of slowing down and taking in all of the small and precious moments that make up an ordinary day. After reading this book, it would be a great activity to have children write a stories about some of the things that their families do that might not be hurried affairs. Slow the world down and savor this book, along with All Around Us by González and Garcia, On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Alemagna, Tiny, Perfect Things by Clark and Kloepper, and Up The Mountain Path by Dubuc.