Summer Sun Risin’

AUTHOR: William Nikola
ILLUSTRATOR: Don Tate

From the Publisher:

From sunrise to sunset, an African American boy spends an activity-filled summer day helping his family on their farm.

Set on a Texas farm in the 1950s and told in Nikola-Lisa’s distinctive and catchy style, this loving tribute to childhood, farm life, and family togetherness will resonate with readers of all backgrounds today. Sun-drenched paintings by Don Tate mirror the family’s daily activities and trace the sun as it travels across the sky from sunrise to sunset. The story also subtly introduces young readers to the subject of African American farmers.

Leah’s Thoughts:

A snapshot of a summer day on a farm. The rhyming text moves along smoothly, and the bright illustrations pull kids right in. It’s a great read for early summer mornings, and I love how it highlights the rhythm of a hardworking day in a warm, cheerful way.