Review by Booklist Review
Most people would complain about trudging to school on a rainy day. But not Sunny, who enjoys using her yellow umbrella . . . until the wind lifts her high into the air and out to sea. Most people would consider that awful. But not Sunny, who likes watching the waves . . . until she falls into a small boat without oars. Dreadful, right? Not for Sunny, who prefers it to swimming. And when her boat becomes stranded on rocks and her seagull companion flies away? Well, even Sunny cries a little then . . . until it returns with more birds, who lift the boat, carry it inland, and lower it beside the school. Sunny smiles and walks right in. Similar in concept to Remy Charlip's classic Fortunately, this engaging picture book is fun for reading aloud. The story's understated humor is amplified in the attractive illustrations, where Sunny's bright yellow rain gear and the white boat stand out clearly against of muted shades of green representing the sea and sky. A promising picture-book debut for this Canadian illustrator.--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2020 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In her solo debut, Krampien (My Family Four Floors Up) presents an uplifting tale about the power of positivity. Trudging to school in the rain, Sunny, the only child smiling in a group, thinks it's "the perfect day to use her big yellow umbrella." The girl's grin grows as the wind lifts the umbrella into the air, carrying her out to sea. In wryly understated prose, the author reasons that "most people would agree" that this "was a very bad sort of situation. But not Sunny, who liked watching the white-capped waves rolling and tumbling over one another." Plunging toward the ocean after her umbrella inverts, the girl lands in a small dinghy, rationalizing that "she preferred boating just now to swimming." Just when her optimism finally begins to flag, Sunny--pleasingly literally--gets the lift she needs and, her cheery outlook restored, isn't at all worried that she's late for school. Krampien's minimalist matte illustrations contrast the butterscotch hues of Sunny's umbrella and slicker with variegated teal tones of sky and sea. A whimsical take on the upside of a rainy day--and a sanguine attitude. Ages 4--8. Agents: Andrea Morrison and Steven Malk, Writers House. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Sunny is the name of a little girl and an apt description of her disposition. It seems that even when Sunny is in a bad situation, her attitude can help her look at it as a positive experience. For example, "most people would say there is nothing good about trudging to school on a rainy day," but Sunny sees it as a great opportunity to try out her new umbrella. That is, until a gust of wind lifts her off her feet and over her town. Most folks would consider that a terrible state of affairs, whereas Sunny admires the view from above and enjoys flying like a bird--until the wind dies down and she's about to be deposited in "a stormy sea." Sunny's day continues in this vein, from the child being presented with a potentially dismal predicament to her attitude (and a little help from outside sources) helping her find the joy in her adventures. Graphic-style spreads illustrated in teals and oranges add details to his amusing narrative. VERDICT Use this title along with Remy Charlip's Fortunately for an entertaining storytime and as an introduction to a lively discussion about attitude.--Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI
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Review by Horn Book Review
Most people do not like rainy days, but Sunny, the smiling heroine of Krampiens authorial debut, is not one of those people. For Sunny, rain is welcome because it creates the perfect opportunity for using her big yellow umbrella. When a gust of wind sweeps Sunny up and away, its her ability to see the positive in all situations that keeps her afloat. The wind carries her over the ocean and drops her in a boat, and Sunny decides that she preferred boating just now to swimming. As more seemingly unfortunate events keep occurring (indeed, the books structure recalls Remy Charlips classic Fortunately), Sunny keeps her positive outlook, starting to cry only when she finds herself all alone in the middle of the sea. Her tears dont last long, for soon a group of friendly birds arrives to carry her back to shore. The illustrations, with backgrounds in shades of teal and with Sunnys umbrella, boots, and raincoat providing bright patches of yellow, have a vintage feel. Occasional panels mix with double-page spreads to keep the action moving forward. An effective vertically oriented panel spread emphasizes Sunnys descent from the sky into the stormy sea (Down, down, down she fell into the boat). A bright and cheery story reminding readers to look beyond the dismal and toward the good in challenging situations. Cynthia K. Ritter March/April 2020 p.62(c) Copyright 2020. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Sunny finds silver linings in the darkest clouds."Most people would say there is nothing good" about walking to school on a dreary, rainy morning, "but not Sunny." She thinks it is the perfect day to use her big yellow umbrella. When a big gust carries her away, she continues to maintain her positive outlook and soars with a sea gull. Soon, the wind takes her over the sea and drops her into a small boat on rolling waves. Optimistic Sunny thinks how glad she is to be boating, not swimming. Terrible situations keep being thrust at Sunny, but only when she finds herself alone in the middle of the sea does she cry. Following a "most people would saybut not Sunny" pattern, Krampien creates a story around one character's ability to find the bright sides of bleak situations. She shows that it is OK to cry and that when things get too bad, others will help lift us when we are down. The illustrations are mainly rendered in shades of teal, with Sunny a bright spot with her yellow raincoat, boots, umbrella, and, later, her white-and-yellow boat. Sunny has black hair and light skin, and the other characters have diverse skin and hair colors.Sweet and bright, like the sun on a stormy day. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
