This children’s story was hilarious, impactful, and thematically strong! Front of the line for teachers of young children.

A big thank-you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for giving me a copy of this book for an unbiased review.

3/5 - Liked it.

This was a sweet story with lovely illustrations and a good message - even the smallest voice is important enough to be heard. But I suppose I had several of the same issues as other reviewers - while I can suspend disbelief for a children's story, it felt like this story was trying to aim at a higher message that was difficult to grasp. Like others, I was confused by Usha demolishing a wall to get the sun to shine through. And I wasn't sure if the wall was meant to be a political metaphor symbolizing inequality, a personal symbol of overcoming seemingly insurmountable issues, or something else.

Overall however, I think this is a nice story and worth reading, with an important message.

What a powerful story. A great way to create understanding and how dangerous a lack of it can be. This made me so sad. How cruel and unkind segregation is. How unnatural and unfair man made borders. I think this is a great tool to show children why it is important to love one another and embrace differences.

<em>Usha and the Stolen Sun</em> by Bree Galbraith and illustrated by Josée Bisaillon is one of those strong commentary children's books that takes an incredibly important issue and addresses it with compassion. It's hard to read a story about a border wall and it taking away something vital to a group of people without thinking of the state of America today. And the injustice, the inhumanity of it all is right there in this book's title: the <em>stolen</em> sun.

This book begins with Usha and her grandfather. He tells her stories of the sun, what life had been like once upon a time before the big wall that blocks it went up. Usha listens attentively, leaning many things in these moments. She begins to yearn for the sun for her grandfather, but also for herself. And she develops an understanding that the wall took it from him and their people. So, strong and determined Usha sets off to return the sun to their world.

When she arrives at the wall she begins by attacking it, kicking and screaming. Anger at what has been taken and her inability to get it back is clear in how she addresses the problem initially. But then she remembers her grandfather and tries a different approach. She tells the wall stories, she sings to it. She relays to the wall everything her grandfather told her.

And on the other side, someone is listening.

<em>Usha and the Stolen Sun</em> is a wonderfully written and illustrated children's book about compassion and humanity. It's something that this upcoming generation of children desperately need in their lives as they grow surrounded by the harmful vitriol that has come out in recent years past. There is no question that this is an excellent children's book and one I would be proud to have on my shelf.

<em>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</em

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The idea of this story is good. The message is important, working out differences, understanding others, etc. I think kids will enjoy it. It has nice illustrations and the text flows well. I wasn't blown over by it, but it was good.

This was a beautiful book, discussing important themes such as family, separation, and the importance of a sunny day.  When Usha's grandfather tells her about what life was like with the sun, she wants nothing more than for him to experience it once more.  So she sets off to find it--and instead, finds a wall.  But what's on the other side?  And how can she even tear it down?  The strength of her words, it turns out, helps her quite a lot.

With wonderful illustrations and an optimistic outlook, Usha and the Stolen Sun makes for a great anti-segregationist, pro-inclusion piece of literature.  It's great to help explain modern day politics to your little ones, or to simply just explain why it's important to share and listen to everybody.  Perfect for grades 1-3.

I don't always like politically inclined picture books. I don't like a picture book to preach at me and I often feel like they talk over the heads of small kids. I do like this one though. It's a high concept, dealing with long established prejudice and cruelty. A literal wall that keeps the sun away from a certain group of people, keeping them down. It takes a group of kids who innocently look at this behemoth as an ugly and unnecessary thing and pull it down. It's got a pretty blunt lesson but one that is important and empowering. Good for older kids.

This was such a beautiful story, from the bright and whimsical illustration style to the lessons to be gained. Bree Galbraith teaches a wonderful lesson about how even the smallest of voices can make a big impact. Highly recommended, especially poignant now when the world is so physically separated, it is important to maintain a closeness of spirit.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Owlkids books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Timeless and current all at the same time. A little girl in search of the sun which was once blocked out by a wall, built by unknown people. Once reaching the wall Usha has to figure out how to take it down. Our children are the next generation, they have to find there own path which means trying things their own way just like Usha. In a time where fear is becoming the public's motivation we need to be reminded we are all human beings.
No matter who you are your voice matters and sometimes it matters a whole lot more if it's a whisper instead of a scream. This book would be perfect as an elementary school-wide focus. Reading this book as a foundation for powerful dialogue about equality. I could already see the kindergarten drawings and hear the 5th graders reading poetry. Compassion is for everyone and Usha can help share that message. There are even discussion guides created by Owlkids Publishing floating around.

When OwlKids bring together Bree Galbraith and Josée Bisaillon, magic happens. In their new picture book Usha and the Stolen Sun they inspire readers to be advocates for change.

There is a town where the sun no longer shines. No one remembers the last time they saw the sun, no one but Usha’s Grandfather. He is a brilliant storyteller who tells Usha the most wonderful tales about when he was young and the sun shone on him every day. He tells her the story of how a wall was built to block the sun and take it away. Even though they yelled and screamed and told them to stop, the wall builders would not.

Usha is a strong and brave young person who is determined to make sure her grandfather sees the sun once again. After many days journey, she finds the wall and yells and screams to get it to move but it will not. Then she remembers that yelling and screaming didn’t work for her grandfather so she chooses a different approach. It’s a brilliant story with a strong character that demonstrates the ability for just one single person to create change.

Our children are so fortunate to have some incredible role models in the world, children who are taking up a cause and creating change first by challenging the status quo on their own then by rallying the voices of others to join the cause. Malala, Greta, Autumn, and others are showing young people how change can happen. Bree Galbraith’s fictional Usha is another change agent, inspiring children to raise their voices or quiet their voices in order to make change.

Josée Bisaillon has created the beautiful backdrop for Usha's story. Her vibrant and detailed illustrations are captivating, drawing in the reader with each spread. Her two page spreads are alive with detail leaving so many elements to discover each time you come back to the story. The illustrations and text are rich with inspiration.

Usha lives in a town where the sun has not shone for a very long time. In fact, Usha has no experience of the sun. Only her grandfather has memories of the sunlight and its warmth. He tells stories of what the sun felt like and how people built a wall to keep the sun to themselves. He longs to feel and see the sun again, so Usha sets out to find it. 

When she arrives at the wall, she yells and kicks and tries to climb over it to no avail. She remembers her grandfathers stories and after hearing voices on the other side, changes her actions. She beings to talk softly, sing songs, and tell her grandfather's stories. One by one, the brick begin to come down as the people on the other side remove them to listen to Usha. The wall eventually collapses and they realize how similar they are on both sides of the wall. 

Usha and the Stolen Sun is about having compassion and caring for others. It celebreates our differences and breaking down the barriers that sometimes divides us from one another. I feel that in today's times, it is a book that our world needs. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eArc of this book. Usha and the Stolen Sun is expected to be published on March 15, 2020.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I love the illustration in this book! This is a perfect bedtime story (especially for grandpa to tell lol ), has a very powerful, important message as well! Kids really enjoyed this!

A richly illustrated story about overcoming obstacles, believing in one’s self, and enjoying the gifts of family and friendship.

Usha has heard her grandfather's stories about the sun, but has never seen it herself. She goes off in search of the wall that has blocked out the warm light.

An inspiring and beautifully illustrated book about the power of stories to connect us.

Bree Galbraith and Josee Bisaillon have together created a lovely picture book that demonstrates the power of a single voice. Usha and the Stolen Sun tells the story of a little girl who has not seen the sun. In her grandfather's youth, a wall was constructed by the people in power in order to block out the sun. Even though the people yelled and protested, the wall was still constructed. Usha sets out to bring back the sun.

While this story has a powerful message to impart, I had a hard time identifying a central theme. The wall is blocking the sun, but it also appears to prevent communication between different cultural groups. I believe this is an important idea to share, but it was such a small part of the book that I am not sure the message came through.

The illustrations and text work together well in this book to share the challenges, and also the importance, of speaking out against injustice.

Usha and the Stolen Sun is a beautiful picture book with a powerful message.

Usha lives in a small village. For years, she has heard the stories from her grandfather. He tells of the sun. His stories reign of the sun's beauty and warmth. Usha yearns to experience what she has only ever heard her grandfather describe.

She sets off to find the sun.

From the many years of hearing her grandfather's stories about the sun, Usha knows that it became hidden after a wall was built a long time before she was even born. She sets off walking in search of the truth of the sun and its disappearance from her world.

After many days and nights, Usha comes across a wall. To her, she knows that this wall has to be what her grandfather has always talked about. Slowly, she approaches the wall only to be met by several people just on the other side.

Together, Usha and the others break down the wall. Once finished, they quickly discover that those opposite the wall are just like them. They join together to become fast friends, and Usha rejoices in the return of her grandfather's beloved sun.

Usha and the Stolen Sun tells about the beauty of caring for others. It celebrates the breaking down of the literal, and figurative, walls in the world that divide us from the joy of one and another. It is one of those children's books that our world needs in the world today.

This story about a girl who goes in search of the sun has a definite fairy-tale feel to it. It's not exactly plausible (if you have to walk for days to reach the wall, it's probably not going to be blocking the sun at your place). But I guess it's sort of a decent metaphor. The basic premise is that shouting and yelling don't do any good; calm words and wise discourse do.

I'm a little bit confused by the illustrations. Usha and her village look somewhat Pakistani. But when she finally gets the wall down, what does she find on the other side? A bunch of white kids (at least, most have fairer skin and are dressed in Western-looking clothes). Is this some sort of statement about the partition of India? Or is it a swipe at Trump's border wall, confusingly set in South Asia? I'm not sure.

Most kids will probably not pick up on those things, however, and will simply see it as a story of two sides realizing they have a lot to talk about and tearing down the one thing that prevents them from doing so. In that respect, the book works.

One thing I love about this book is how timely it is. The story is about a girl named Usha who lives in a town that did not have sunlight. Usha only knows about the sun from her grandfather's stories. The sun was blocked by a giant wall that was built many years ago. Then Usha sets out to try and find the sun. This book has such a great lesson about how walls divide us, and breaking them down can help us see that we are not that different from people on the other side.

The Wall is very much an allusion to today's "walled" politics, which also can be related to other walls in modern history and one way to break the wall is...the people communicating. I also did like the nature imagery and emotions associated with the bright happy sunshine.

Usha and the Stolen Sun by Bree Galbraith is a timely story about the value of communication in an increasingly divided world. Usha listens to her grandfather's stories of a time when he could always feel the sun on his face, something that Usha has never experienced for herself. Motivated by this vision of a better reality, Usha sets out to take down a wall that is preventing the sunlight from reaching her side of the divide. When shouting at the wall does nothing to budge it, Usha takes the alternative approach of listening to the voices of those who reside on the other side, ultimately achieving the harmonious dissolution of barriers.

This is a lovely allegorical story that is beautifully illustrated, and so timely in a divisive world that many children are struggling to comprehend. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for this ARC.