Before I launch into my review, I would like to say a huge thank you to Disha Mathur, Buddoo Books, and Netgalley for the Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this title. For anyone with their eye on this title, here is my personal review of the book to help you decide whether you are interested or not. All opinions offered are my own.

I enjoyed this book and found it delivered everything it promised. Most of the illustrations are vibrant, but more than aything, the brightness and darkness of the images reflect Maya's mood and times of both joy, and reflection. The book examines self-identity through complexion really well and there are cultural elements at play that highlights a family of Asian origin.

I liked that the story portrayed a typical view of colorism/racial bias with several people warming Maya to stay out of the sun, people with her best interest at heart but probably speaking as a reflection of their own experiences and historical perception. I also liked how this view was quickly countered once Maya's mother was aware of the confusion and sadness was feeling.

I would recommend this story to parents of all young children that are interested in broaching the topic of race and skin color. It is a particularly good book for children from non-'White' ethnicities who need to feel empowered and celebrate their heritage or understand from a childish perspetives that people come in all shades. There is also a helpful section in the back that provides questions for reflection as well as suncare advice.

Overall, the story was beautifully constructed, very well illustrated, and had an additional educational summary. For these reasons and the points referenced above, I consider this book to be a 5 out of 5.

Maya loves the sun. She loves how it feels to spend time in the sun and all the things she can do. When someone comments that she's getting too dark, she feels bad. Happily, she processes her feelings and learns that it's wonderful to be herself. In the end, she is happy and back in the sun. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this adorable picture book

Wow! This book not only highlights the beauty of nature but also addresses an essential topic—skin colour.

As a mother to a biracial child, I find it crucial to teach my daughter the importance of self-love, embracing her culture, and taking pride in her identity. At the same time, I want her to appreciate the wonders of nature—the sun, stars, moon, and our planet. This book beautifully weaves these lessons together, making it a wonderful way to teach children about self-acceptance and their connection to the world around them.

Thank you so much to Buddoo Books and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Maya loves the sun, it makes her feel happy, but when her aunty and sister tell her she’s getting too dark on her skin, her spirit and happiness fade away. Then one day the sun speaks to her and helps her reignite her happiness and love she once had.

This was utterly beautiful what a stunning story of how to love yourself no matter what others say. How to continue doing something you love even when others around you tell you to stop. Her spirit was diminished in such a short time, that she became a whole different person, but she found a way to bring her spirit back and help others brighten theirs too.

I really did find this book beautiful, the illustrations were gorgeous too, seeing Maya having so much fun with her friends in the sun, the difference between her and her sister who stays inside all day, seeing her spirit change so quickly, to the beautiful sun calling her back and her birthday scene. I really loved the way all the illustrations were captured in this book.

A wonderful story that I very much recommend, it will teach so much to its younger readers about self love, about enjoy what they enjoy and to not let others comments or opinions win over their own spirit.

MAYA LOVES THE SUN is a beautiful story about feeling confident and loving your skin! Growing up as a kid who spent a lot of her time outdoors, and getting my skin darkened for being out in the sun for too long, I found this story relatable.

Disha Mathur's story is enriching and has a powerful message delivered gently. It's a wonderful read to see how Maya starts questioning the thing she loves - being out in the sun, with her friends, and how she, along with her Ma's help and the SUN, comes back to being a confident child, who loves herself as she is and brings in her family and friends to experience the same joy too.

Felishia Henditirto's illustrations are GORGEOUS, colourful and powerful! They make the text expressive and engaging!

An important story about colourism, self-love and not giving up on things which bring you joy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a super cute children's book with a very important message. Puerto Rican's come in all shades of color, my father is very dark and my mother very like. As such, I came out somewhere in the middle, but I remember a time when my grandmother was afraid of me being too dark. I get very dark every summer and I love it. I am lucky that my mother is also very supportive and never gave em the negative connotations that come with getting darker. I enjoyed this message, especially for children to learn it early.

I also really enjoyed the illustrations and use of colors.

As a mother of a biracial child, I'm always drawn to books that not only encourage my daughter to feel confident in her own skin but also help me be a better mom to her. This hits both those marks.

Our family spends a lot of time outside—we love being in the sun, exploring, and soaking up nature—so I especially appreciated the way this book captures the simple joy of playing outdoors. The illustrations are lovely, full of warmth. This story emphasizes embracing the color of your skin in every shade and season—such an important message! That said, even as an adult, it’s tough to read a story where a little girl is made to question something so beautiful about herself by a family member’s words.

The reflective moment at the end is a great touch. And I was happy to see the book include a note on sun protection—because enjoying the sun is wonderful, but so is taking care of ourselves while we do!

Thank you NetGalley and Buddoo Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book! It follows a young girl, Maya, who loves to spend time outside in the sun. She begins to question her love of the sun, when she is told she shouldn’t let her skin get darker.

This book presented such a powerful message in such an easy to understand way. The use of colors to depict Maya’s different emotions was so well done!

I really wish I had this book growing up, as colorism is also very present in Brazilian culture. I think the message of self love is so important, especially in the face of colorism and racism.

I definitely recommend this book!

A powerful message. The best moments are the interactions between sisters and mother and daughter and the beautiful illustration. I felt there was a slightly disjointed rhythm to it, perhaps reflecting the confusion the main character feels at her competing emotions and the advice offered to her. Certainly the power of the ideas will resonate with many.

A young Maya questions her love of being outside when someone tells her she should "stay fair."

In this gorgeously illustrated children's book, Disha Mathur introduces children to colorism and self-love in the face of prejudice. Simply adorable and wonderful to discuss with young ones.

Thanks to #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

<3 4.5/5

Thank you for the advanced copy! This was a great story for young readers and very well written! The pictures were entertaining!

I love it! My daughters name is Maya and she loves hearing it in books! I love the illustration and I love that it touches on sensitive subjects.

Maya is a young girl who loves spending her time out in the sun. Her excitement for the outdoors is dampened when she receives negative comments about how the sun will darken her skin. Maya, believing her tanning skin will somehow make her less beautiful, decides to begin staying inside. She spends several days isolated in her bedroom until her Ma asks her what is wrong. Upon learning what has upset Maya, Ma takes time to explain that Mayas skin is beautiful no matter what.

This story is inspiring for young girls who may have faced discrimination because of their skin color, or been led to believe that lighter skin is preferred. Skin types of all colors are beautiful!

Thank you to NetGalley, Buddoo Books, Disha Mathur and Felishia Henditirto for this lovely ARC!

To be honest, I didn’t expect this book to touch on topics like skin color and self-acceptance, but it did so gently and thoughtfully.
For me, first and foremost, it was a story about childhood—when summer feels endless, the sun is your best friend, and birthdays are the highlight of the year. The illustrations pulled me back into those carefree days. But I’m grateful to the author for showing how even casual words from loved ones can hurt, mislead, or create insecurities.
May every child have a kind adult who teaches them to love themselves—and, of course, to remember the importance of sun protection, no matter how much we adore its warmth.

I loved so many things about this book! The illustrations were gorgeous and the message was delivered well. I loved how the story was bright and happy while also conveying a very important message. The length of the story was perfect for the target age group and the variation in the page structure was eye catching and engaging. The talking sun added another component of interest for the littles which I loved.

Maya Loves the Sun has very beautiful art and touches on serious topics. My favorite part about it was that the sun itself was a character and explains all the good it does for the earth and us as people.

This was a lovely exploration into how words can have a larger impact than we realise. I thought that the ending, where Maya helps her sister into the sun, was particularly special. The illustrations also help massively to convey the message. Although there’s a section on sun safety at the back of the book, I think it would have been helpful for this to be included somewhere in the story as it’s so important.

The title Maya loves the Sun caught my attention and made me want to read the book. What an apt and lovely name chosen for the protagonist, a young girl - Maya! Maya in Sanskrit means illusion; Maya with her experiences and learnings breaks the illusion that the Sun isn't our friend, that fair skin is better and beautiful, that girls specifically need to stay indoors to ensure that they don't darken much. In Maori language, Maya means courage and confidence, Maya in the story displays just that by embracing who she is wholeheartedly, she loves her skin and complexion, accepts who she is with confidence thanks to her mother's able guidance.

Maya loves to spend time outdoors soaking up the glow and warmth of the sun. But when Neela Aunty advises her to stay indoors lest she turns darker and when Rani, her elder sis who is always holed up at home gasps at Maya's tanned skin, Maya gets anxious and fears the Sun she has always liked until her mother sets things right and clears up the confusion.

The illustrations here have a golden glow of the Sun, ooze warmth and the story in simple terms helps us appreciate every shade of brown, embrace every aspect or part of us with confidence. Just like the Sun's light keeps life going, the book asserts the need to shine from within, this will ensure our lives are beautiful.

I loved that the book has a note to the readers from the author, a brief note on what colourism/discrimination on the basis of one's skin colour is. There are even tips to keep in mind when you spend long hours in the sun.

Overall, a wholesome, important and positive read with a message that can change the way the world thinks, erase prejudices that have been passed down for years in a family, that transcends cultures and countries.

This picture book is beautiful. The illustrations are stunning and varied. My students will love the pictures and the story of how Maya relates to the sun. She learns how her skin is beautiful throughout the story and how others view their skin.

A wonderful and deeply relevant book! Every child growing up with darker skin should have the opportunity to read this powerful story. The book thoughtfully addresses how colourism often stems from within our own families - an experience that resonated personally was while we were reading, my niece revealed that an aunt had once warned her to stay out of the sun. This story creates the perfect springboard for meaningful conversations about self-acceptance and beauty. The magical illustrations transport readers into Maya's world, bringing her journey to life with enchanting detail and warmth. An essential read that tackles an important subject with grace and understanding.

Thank you NetGalley & Buddoo Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!