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Rivers of Sunlight: How the Sun Moves Water Around the Earth
In this brightly illustrated narrative, readers will learn about the constant movement of water as it flows around the Earth and the sun's important role as water changes between liquid, vapor, and ice. From sea to sky, the sun both heats and cools water, ensuring that life can exist on Earth. How does the sun keep ocean currents moving, and lift fresh water from the seas? And what can we do to conserve one of our planet's most precious resources?
48 pages, Hardcover
Published January 31, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 31, 2017
Rivers of Sunlight: How the Sun Moves Water Around the Earth by Molly Bang is a book for children that teaches about the water cycle.
I liked the book and all the information it gives. It helps readers see how integral our sun is to the water cycle and without it, life would be nonexistent. The book illustrates how our ancestors collected water and the importance of using water sparingly.
What I didn't like about the book was the layout. The illustrations were good and easy to understand, but the yellow and white text scattered around the pages makes it a little confusing. It's not easy for young readers to follow without adult help.
We still liked it. 3***
I liked the book and all the information it gives. It helps readers see how integral our sun is to the water cycle and without it, life would be nonexistent. The book illustrates how our ancestors collected water and the importance of using water sparingly.
What I didn't like about the book was the layout. The illustrations were good and easy to understand, but the yellow and white text scattered around the pages makes it a little confusing. It's not easy for young readers to follow without adult help.
We still liked it. 3***
November 25, 2016
Another fabulous book in the series, explaining the ways the sun moves water around the earth in water cycles and by the heating and cooling of the oceans. As with the others, there is s strong message of conservation and environmentalism in the closing.
February 6, 2017
Beautiful illustrations, important message, and excellent information about the water cycle. However, the display of text is agitating and ruins the gorgeous pictures. The information also runs on the dry side (no pun intended, but yay puns!).
February 1, 2017
Another in the series and as stellar as the others. Gorgeous illustrations and science of energy and water cycles explained clearly and written perfectly for a young reader.
March 18, 2017
Relying on her trademark sun-drenched illustrations and lively text, Molly Bang is joined by her frequent collaborator Penny Chisholm as they explore the water cycle. But they chiefly focus on how Earth is unique not just because it has water but because that water is always moving. even when we can't see it happening. I loved the visuals showing how much water fills our planet versus the size of the entire planet as well as the amount of fresh water and then the actual amount of fresh water that we can access. The amount is quite startling. The book also covers the importance of the Gulf Stream and the Ocean Conveyor Belt in moving water across the planet. Although the authors point out that the amount of water on the planet won't change, the planet itself is changing due to global warming and increasing population and as aquifers are being depleted of their water contents. The book encourages young readers to conserve and protect the available water resources, putting the onus on humans to make sure water remains plentiful. Back matter includes additional notes on water, even interesting snippets about the importance of beavers to the environment, and observations about dams and allowing some rivers to return to their nature paths. Readers may be startled to consider how sea water than contains less saline due to melting ice sheets may slow down the ocean conveyor belt and have long-term effects on the Earth's warmth. It's all quite informative and fascinating at the same time. While a handful of reviewers considered the text to be dry, I did not. In fact, I found it quite engaging as it quickly draws readers into the story of water. As was the case with the other four books in this series, this one is an essential title for today's science classroom, no matter the level. It does a great job of simplifying several sophisticated concepts and issues related to Earth and its water supply.
April 6, 2017
Told from the viewpoint of the sun, this was a very informative book, and the illustrations helped to make the information clear. There was much use of thick yellow outlines, and lots of blues and greens. To sum up, I liked the illustrations and thought that they very much enhanced the information.
September 25, 2017
A fascinating look at how the sun’s light powers the water cycle. My only quibble is the conceit of having the sun tell the story in first-person narration, which may dampen the enthusiasm of older readers.
Read
August 2, 2017Very informative with engaging text. Kids will love learning about ocean conveyor belt and the sun's role in water's movement.
February 10, 2019
Bang and Chisholm's text is from the first-person point of view of the Sun, a literary device that could help some young readers follow a description of the water cycle AND weather patterns AND the Earth's ecosystem - the global balance of water. (...for others, it could just be confusing and unnecessary.)
It is strongest at the very end, when the personified Sun outright accuses humans of polluting water and using fresh water faster than the cycle can replenish it. Then the Sun promises; "I, your sun, will do my part to keep Earth's water clean and flowing. Will you do your part? Will you find ways to use water sparingly and keep it clean?" However, I'm not sure young readers will know how to keep water clean, since there haven't been any examples differentiating between the ways we use water that can be returned to the water cycle, and the ways we use water that can't.
So, in fact even at that point, I wished the first-person voice of the sun would get out of the way, so we could have a factual description using terms that are specific and not poetic or evocative. Some terms and processes are explained clearly, others are skimmed over.
Moreover, the white and yellow text on very dark blue images was visually annoying and blunt, as were the yellow outlines on the figures.
The combination of diagrammatic images and realistic images was likewise confusing - an adult may be able to tell which dots are enlarged molecules and which are schematic drops of rain, but I doubt that a child would. For example, in one image, a person (in yellow outline) is holding a magnifying glass that is larger than the person's whole body, and in it we see what is probably meant to be the molecular-level enlargement of water evaporating from a leaf during photosynthesis. There are very few children in the age range that is the most likely target for this book (kindergarten to 3rd grade?) who will understand this image.
Still, it's better than nothing, and we do need books on the water cycle.
It is strongest at the very end, when the personified Sun outright accuses humans of polluting water and using fresh water faster than the cycle can replenish it. Then the Sun promises; "I, your sun, will do my part to keep Earth's water clean and flowing. Will you do your part? Will you find ways to use water sparingly and keep it clean?" However, I'm not sure young readers will know how to keep water clean, since there haven't been any examples differentiating between the ways we use water that can be returned to the water cycle, and the ways we use water that can't.
So, in fact even at that point, I wished the first-person voice of the sun would get out of the way, so we could have a factual description using terms that are specific and not poetic or evocative. Some terms and processes are explained clearly, others are skimmed over.
Moreover, the white and yellow text on very dark blue images was visually annoying and blunt, as were the yellow outlines on the figures.
The combination of diagrammatic images and realistic images was likewise confusing - an adult may be able to tell which dots are enlarged molecules and which are schematic drops of rain, but I doubt that a child would. For example, in one image, a person (in yellow outline) is holding a magnifying glass that is larger than the person's whole body, and in it we see what is probably meant to be the molecular-level enlargement of water evaporating from a leaf during photosynthesis. There are very few children in the age range that is the most likely target for this book (kindergarten to 3rd grade?) who will understand this image.
Still, it's better than nothing, and we do need books on the water cycle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2018
This book is about how the water of our planet is a tiny and precious commodity, and how the tiny amount of fresh water on the planet is able to sustain the all the life on Earth by cycling in and out of different ecosystems with the help of the sun. This entire book looks like a child's version of Starry Night by Van Gogh except that on each page a small child is drawn into the scene as if it were the child who is reading the book, which is why the child is neither distinctly boy or girl, it's appealing to all readers. The illustrations have the same shade of blue and yellow used in that famous painting, while every page also contains yellow and white 'stars' that represent actual stars and water vapor depending on the context. The book describes (as it's narrated by the Sun), in a very understandable child friendly way, how such complicated things like aquifers, the ocean conveyor belt (deep ocean current) and the gulf stream function are sustained. After the book establishes that water cycles and that it's due to the sun it describes how the amount of water on the planet is constant, but that the population of people keeps rising and the climate keeps changing. The book ends with the the Sun promising to keep cycling the water on the planet as it asks the reader "Will you do your part"? The last illustration is of the child as a water guardian, holding a large drop of water in her/his hands, eyes closed and smiling slightly drawn as big as the earth. Overall I'd say this is a very well done picture book that conveys complicated information in an easily understandable way all while being very visually appealing and conveying an important environmental lesson.
November 8, 2017
Note: The font is very difficult to read.
HCPL Juv Nonfiction 551.48 Ban
Suggest Gr 1-3
A stunning, accessible explanation of the Earth's water cycle and its global effects.
In this brightly illustrated narrative, readers will learn about the constant movement of water as it flows around the Earth and the sun's important role as water changes between liquid, vapor, and ice. From sea to sky, the sun both heats and cools water, ensuring that life can exist on Earth. How does the sun keep ocean currents moving, and lift fresh water from the seas? And what can we do to conserve one of our planet's most precious resources?
Perfect for any young reader eager to learn more about his or her world, this is an invaluable addition to any classroom, library, or at-home collection. With stunning artwork and compelling scientific explanation, Bang and Chisholm have brought forth a masterpiece that is critically relevant in this environmentally tumultuous time. The newest book in the award-winning Sunlight Series is an important and beautiful exploration one of our planet's delicate geological cycles, clearly and simply presented for young readers.
Series Title: The sunlight series
Subject: Hydrologic cycle -- Juvenile literature.
Sunshine -- Juvenile literature.
Geographic Term:
Sun -- Juvenile literature.
Added Author:
Chisholm, Penny,
HCPL Juv Nonfiction 551.48 Ban
Suggest Gr 1-3
A stunning, accessible explanation of the Earth's water cycle and its global effects.
In this brightly illustrated narrative, readers will learn about the constant movement of water as it flows around the Earth and the sun's important role as water changes between liquid, vapor, and ice. From sea to sky, the sun both heats and cools water, ensuring that life can exist on Earth. How does the sun keep ocean currents moving, and lift fresh water from the seas? And what can we do to conserve one of our planet's most precious resources?
Perfect for any young reader eager to learn more about his or her world, this is an invaluable addition to any classroom, library, or at-home collection. With stunning artwork and compelling scientific explanation, Bang and Chisholm have brought forth a masterpiece that is critically relevant in this environmentally tumultuous time. The newest book in the award-winning Sunlight Series is an important and beautiful exploration one of our planet's delicate geological cycles, clearly and simply presented for young readers.
Series Title: The sunlight series
Subject: Hydrologic cycle -- Juvenile literature.
Sunshine -- Juvenile literature.
Geographic Term:
Sun -- Juvenile literature.
Added Author:
Chisholm, Penny,
January 15, 2017
Bang, Molly Rivers of Sunlight 20 pgs. Blue Sky Press (Scholastic), 2017. $18.99 NON-FICTION
This large picture book focuses on the sun’s place in the water cycle from the point of view of the sun. It features large illustrations with lots of movement. The last part of the story focuses on helping to conserve water and climate change.
To show the movement of water in its various states, the illustrations are quite busy, then the text is placed directly on top of the action which results in both a challenge to read the text and a bit uncomfortable to look at. I am not sure what age the author intended this book to be for, but it seems too challenging for our first graders who learn about this topic (even as teacher read-aloud) and wouldn’t appeal to older readers. Also the title is a bit misleading, it made me think this book was about the sun itself, not its place in the water cycle, though that is listed at the bottom in smaller text.
EL (K-3) –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.
This large picture book focuses on the sun’s place in the water cycle from the point of view of the sun. It features large illustrations with lots of movement. The last part of the story focuses on helping to conserve water and climate change.
To show the movement of water in its various states, the illustrations are quite busy, then the text is placed directly on top of the action which results in both a challenge to read the text and a bit uncomfortable to look at. I am not sure what age the author intended this book to be for, but it seems too challenging for our first graders who learn about this topic (even as teacher read-aloud) and wouldn’t appeal to older readers. Also the title is a bit misleading, it made me think this book was about the sun itself, not its place in the water cycle, though that is listed at the bottom in smaller text.
EL (K-3) –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.
May 18, 2017
As powerful a read as the sun itself. Each page is filled with lots of raindrops, ocean currents, rivers of water, and the sun. A must read for everyone! Packed with lots of important information and interesting illustrations.
The book is told by the sun. The sun promises to keep the Earth's water clean and flowing. In an ingenious way throughout the book, the sun ask that we, too, find ways to use water sparingly and keep it clean. The global warming discussion is well illustrated on the final two pages of the picture book. In the back are accompanying notes by the author, Molly Bang, and ecologist and science professor, Penny Chisholm. They have made a difficult subject as clear as pure water!
The book is told by the sun. The sun promises to keep the Earth's water clean and flowing. In an ingenious way throughout the book, the sun ask that we, too, find ways to use water sparingly and keep it clean. The global warming discussion is well illustrated on the final two pages of the picture book. In the back are accompanying notes by the author, Molly Bang, and ecologist and science professor, Penny Chisholm. They have made a difficult subject as clear as pure water!
July 15, 2017
Loads of great information on the water cycle, aquifers, the Gulf Stream, the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt, and more. The illustrations are gorgeous, but in addition to being overwhelming, the text doesn't look good on the page. Students would need some help unpacking all the wonderful information presented in this book. I personally didn't like the personification of the sun speaking to me about all that she does. I did appreciate the page that illustrates how much of the earth is made up of water, and how much of that is made of fresh water, and how much of that fresh water is not buried underground or locked into ice. The book does a beautiful job of portraying the interconnectedness of life and our need to make wise decisions.
December 17, 2017
This book was definitely in my top five for my class's mock Caldecott because, well, just LOOK at those illustrations.Ìý The squiggly lines and use of bright yellow serve to highlight how everything is connected in what appears to be a truly spiritual sense.Ìý This is just beautiful and a wonderful way to teach children with a wonderful and factual narrative and vivacious drawings.ÌýÌý
I've actually read Bang'sÌýPicture This, but hadn't read any of her picturebooks yet, so I was really glad that this was my first introduction to her for-children books--this one certainly showcases her talents in the best ways possible.ÌýÌý
Review cross-listed !
I've actually read Bang'sÌýPicture This, but hadn't read any of her picturebooks yet, so I was really glad that this was my first introduction to her for-children books--this one certainly showcases her talents in the best ways possible.ÌýÌý
Review cross-listed !
May 30, 2017
Kids were bored. M more disinterested than c because the content was beyond her.
I really liked that this book about how water cycles around the earth went beyond evaporation, condensation, precipitation. I feel like this cycle is overdone among texts. I did like that the book discusses runoff and aquifers. But!! The book goes even further to talk about how sun cycles the water in the ocean with currents and undersea rivers. It's got it all in one source.
We read this book from Mock Caldecott list otherwise I would have never gone looking for this nonfiction text better suited to upper elementary.
I really liked that this book about how water cycles around the earth went beyond evaporation, condensation, precipitation. I feel like this cycle is overdone among texts. I did like that the book discusses runoff and aquifers. But!! The book goes even further to talk about how sun cycles the water in the ocean with currents and undersea rivers. It's got it all in one source.
We read this book from Mock Caldecott list otherwise I would have never gone looking for this nonfiction text better suited to upper elementary.
August 1, 2017
Another book in the clever Light Series by Molly Bang and MIT professor, Penny Chisholm. This one focuses on how water is moved around the earth-a great introduction to the water cycle, the Gulf Stream and the Ocean Conveyor Belt. Could be used as a springboard into a water unit for elementary school teachers. Six pages of back matter get deeper into these topics and just touches the surface of others that couldn't quite fit in the text. (Remember, this is a picture book!) Recommended to teachers and kids who love learning about their world!
February 11, 2018
Rivers of Sunlight is an excellent resource on how the water cycle works and what part the sun plays in that cycle. It is chock full of information and told in an interesting way that kids will appreciate. The illustrations are gorgeous and really enhance the text. The backmatter is awesome and full of additional information and further details to add to what is in the book. I liked the details and the message of this book. It offers an critical and timely message on how and why water is important to not just the earth but the people who inhabit it.
August 30, 2017
Water! Always changing, from liquid to solid to vapor, water keeps ALL LIFE alive.
I liked how the story was told in the voice of the Sun. Everything one would want to know about water was in Rivers of Sunlight How The Sun Moves Water Around The Earth. The illustrations were so realistic I was under the impression the illustrations were texture and that made me want to touch them.
I liked how the story was told in the voice of the Sun. Everything one would want to know about water was in Rivers of Sunlight How The Sun Moves Water Around The Earth. The illustrations were so realistic I was under the impression the illustrations were texture and that made me want to touch them.
May 16, 2017
Really informative in a kid-friendly way. I love, LOVE, the illustrations. I agree with several other reviewers who mentioned that the text formatting bothered them. It seemed oddly laid out and jarring at times where the text overlapped with the illustrations. Overall a nice addition to science collections. I definitely learned some things! Bang does a great job explaining complex topics for young readers.
January 27, 2021
"I am you sun. My energy warms your days. I light up your world." So begins a lovely book about how the entire Earth's water system works. The illustrations are the sort you can sink into and perseverate over. This book is so beautiful, in fact, that you will absorb the complexity of our Earth's hydrology without even realizing it. Check out Rivers of Sunlight and pour yourself into knowledge and beauty.
March 13, 2017
Full of valuable information, but the way the text looks against the pages is distracting and even a little off-putting. Also, the text is...well.... dry. (Sorry!) I found my attention wandering several times as I read.
There are notes in the back giving some extra details, but no further reading suggestions.
There are notes in the back giving some extra details, but no further reading suggestions.
April 29, 2017
A great book from which both kids and adults will learn about the sun and water. Written from the sun's point of view, the book takes the reader on a journey about "how the sun moves water around the earth."
The drawings are sumptuous and gorgeous - I could easily see them hanging in my apartment :)
The drawings are sumptuous and gorgeous - I could easily see them hanging in my apartment :)
May 6, 2017
I love the colors, but with that much going on in the graphics when the print is white and yellow, two colors used a lot it makes it extremely difficult to read. It's a great book for teaching children reliable sources. I just think it's a lot of information packed into a children's book. It's going to be hard to hold a child's attention to finish this book.
June 10, 2017
This picture book packs an amazing amount of information about the water cycle (told from the POV of the sun) in yellow and white letters, accompanied by darkly vivid paintings reminiscent of van Gogh's "Starry Night". Endnotes give even more information about water flows, such as the influence of beavers, water molecules, water as a greenhouse gas, and more
August 24, 2017
An elementary and up book about picture book style nonfiction book about water and it's movement around the world. This was very informative and easy to follow but got a little long. clear bright text in one or two sentence bursts. A lot of information in the afterword but not needed to grasp the concept.
January 29, 2018
1/27/2018 ~~ Visually stunning; look at the patterns made by the water droplets rising above the ocean (whale tails?).
This series had been totally off my radar. I definitely plan to look at the others. Also, I think it's fascinating to think of Molly Bang's early artwork (i.e. 10, 9, 8) and compare it to the detail and rich coloring in this book.
This series had been totally off my radar. I definitely plan to look at the others. Also, I think it's fascinating to think of Molly Bang's early artwork (i.e. 10, 9, 8) and compare it to the detail and rich coloring in this book.
February 13, 2017
This fourth collaboration about the sun and all its wonders is superb. The entire set should be in every school library and all the science teachers should know they have this resource available. Elegant writing, brilliant illustrations and great back matter make this a first purchase!
May 6, 2017
A very accessible look at the complex water patterns around our planet. I have some of the other books in The Sunlight Series in my library, I will be making sure I have all of them. Very well done text and the illustrations add to the understanding.
May 20, 2017
Wonderfully, simple explanation of giant ocean currents--how they sustain life in oceans and are central in redistributing heat around the globe. Six pages, more in-depth at the end are handy for older readers and helpful background for the adult sharing with children.
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