Starred Review If a good picture book does what it sets out to do, a great one sets out to do something huge and succeeds. Living Sunlight talks to young children about photosynthesis (a vital process that most adults would be hard put to explain) in a way that tells what is actually happening at the molecular level. It also tells children why this process matters and leads them into a broad understanding of their personal connection with plant life and energy from the sun. The simple yet precise description of photosynthesis is admirable, but the broad explanation of its significance is exceptional. As in Bang's picture book My Light (2004), the amiable, well-informed narrator is the sun. Alight with unusual intensity, the artwork fills the pages with vibrant images, whether showing a child on a swing surrounded by and infused with the sun's energy or a rolling meadow teeming with diverse plants and animals. Visual themes such as waves of light, floating molecules, and the curving forms of trees, animals, and the earth itself recur on many pages, yet each double-page spread illustrates its lines of text with intelligence and originality. An outstanding book to read and absorb. Four pages of appended notes not available.

Through wry narration, readers hear gopher snake Crusher's view of "lower life form" Gunnar (the kid who catches her) and his puzzling world. Crusher's adventures and her gradual development of compassion for mouse Breakfast (and even for Gunnar) work with Jennings's satire on American life to give this story terrific child appeal but also a lot of room for discussion.

Mirroring the format of Bang's more energy-focused My Light (2006), this one is in part dedicated to Ben, "who felt it was more important that the sun's energy fuels life than that it can change into electricity." Here, too, the sun speaks in a meditative first-person voice: "All living things— / including YOU— / pulse with my light / and keep it circling / round and round on Earth." Elsewhere, the style and cadence evoke an awestruck child on the playground, excitedly sharing newfound knowledge: "Without plants, / you would have no oxygen. / Without plants, / you would have no food. / Without plants, / you could not live. / Without plants, / there would be no life on Earth." Sunlight is represented visually throughout by tiny yellow dots that travel in and out of Earth's lush blue and green landscapes, often to gorgeous effect. Photosynthesis is thrilling to ponder, and Bang and Chisholm shout their enthusiasm for the process—and for the interconnectedness of all living things—from the (probably solar-paneled) rooftops. (notes) (Informational picture book. 6-10)

Gr 1-4 In this sequel to My Light (Scholastic, 2004), the focus is photosynthesis and its connection to all living things. The sun continues to be the "star" of the show, narrating the lyrical text. The verse is a mix of fun and fact, explaining that "My light becomes the energy/for all life on Earth." Although the text goes on to connect the sun's energy to plants and then to animals and people, the explanations are quite a leap for the intended audience. Beautiful illustrations light up the pages and swirl across the spreads. Bright yellow outlines large green leaves, landscapes, and animals, radiating against the dark electric blue sky. Magnified close-ups of plant cells offer visual explanations of the process. However, they are more decorative than informative. Fans of the earlier work will find this book equally satisfying. Overall, a worthy general purchase. Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH