Papa’s Suns
by Kevin McNamee
Illustrated by
Samantha Bell
Kevin McNamee’s new picture book, “Papa’s Suns,” is about issues of health changes and how the challenges affect families. Jacob loves
drawing with his grandfather, Papa, who always draws just what Jacob wants.
If he wants a green sun, that’s what Papa draws.
Then one terrible day, Jacob’s dear Papa has a stroke. He’s hospitalized and has to learn to function again. When Jacob goes to visit him, he sees Papa’s lopsided face and wonders if it’s really his beloved Papa or has he changed.
Then one terrible day, Jacob’s dear Papa has a stroke. He’s hospitalized and has to learn to function again. When Jacob goes to visit him, he sees Papa’s lopsided face and wonders if it’s really his beloved Papa or has he changed.
The artwork by Samantha Bell shows the emotions that the family
experiences in this health crisis. Their close family relationships come through clearly in each
illustration. Papa has been damaged by the stroke and he doesn’t look the same. But their love for him and caring overcome how Jacob feels about and deals with such a disability.
This is a good book to introduce children to frightening
health situations that each family hopes not to have to face. What do you do
when your family member is disabled by a stroke, surgery, or an accident? It’s one
of life’s terrible ordeals. Teaching kids how to face it, how to deal with this,
is very important. This book can help open the discussion of this difficult topic. We can learn that although they may look different, talk or walk differently due to their disability, they are still our loved ones. Highly recommended
for ages 5 to 8; for school libraries, hospitals, nursing homes, and medical
offices.
Information on author Kevin McNamee is at www.kevinmcnamee.com
Information on artist Samantha Bell is at www.samanthabellbooks.com
Tags:
Papa's Suns, Kevin McNamee, Samantha Bell, Jacob, Grandfather, Papa, stroke, rehabilitation, drawing, art, sharing, helping, families, Mom, Dad
Reviewed by:
Penelope Anne Cole
Award Winning Author of Magical Matthew and Magical Mea
and Mateo Mágico (Spanish)
Award Winning Author of Magical Matthew and Magical Mea
and Mateo Mágico (Spanish)
New: Magical Mea Goes to School
For Halloween: Ten Little Tricksters
I agree this book is a helpful one. I reviewed it on my blog at http://onwordsblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/papas-suns.html a while ago.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan, Thanks for your comments and support. For some reason I didn't get a notify that I had a comment--strange virtual world stuff. Blessings, Penny
DeleteHi Penny, Thanks for this review of what looks to be an important book about an uncomfortable topic. It looks as if Kevin and Samantha have made an excellent colaboration to ease the fears of young children faced with family health problems. Congratulations to both of them.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara,
Deletethanks for your support and comments. It is very hard to deal with health issues, like stroke, Alzheimers, other disabilities. I hope the book gets wide publicity. I'm wishing them much success with this important book.