The Sun Is Late And So Is The Farmer, hello to a new classic

Quirky is an interesting adjective and depending on specifically how it’s used could mean subtle, but different things. The Sun Is Late And So Is The Farmer is a quirky story in all of the right ways. The book is aimed at those pre-k through second-grade kids, and because they’re most likely not reading this review I’ll call the book a word that could cause derision and mockery in those circles. This is a charming book. That sounds like a word that you’d use when you don’t know how to describe something, but you’re implying that it’s a cute book for babies.

The Sun Is Late And So Is The Farmer is an illustrated book for those younger ages, and babies might enjoy it also, but it’s not specifically for them. Instead, the book has more of a timeless and ageless appeal. One could read it in 2035 and the book would be just as excellent then, as it is now. It’s a patient, loving, fun tale about animal friends who are on a quest on a day that’s not starting out as others do.

The mule, cow, and miniature horse are waiting for the sun to rise. Granted, you could’ve inferred that from the book’s title, but normally the sun is up by this time and the three friends are concerned, and hungry. If the sun isn’t out, then the farmer won’t get out of bed and the animals don’t get fed. They decide that Barn Owl is someone who can advise them on what to do.

Barn Owl likes to perch on top of the chicken coop at night. Barn Owl agrees that the sun is late and tells them about the long, arduous trek that they have to go on in order to wake up the sun. It’s also very important to bring Rooster along.

One of the great things that audiences will love about The Sun Is Late is its perspective. To the farm animals, the field is a massive landscape that encompasses their world. The inactive farm equipment is akin to sleeping giants. As they pass the sheep, who are all sleeping, they wonder about what they dream about while they’re sleeping. The Mule is very wise and answers all of these questions, even if they’re not completely sure if it’s true.

For a relatively short illustrated book, it tells so much. The three animals feel like old friends to the reader after just a couple of pages. Once Rooster joins their quest, the group of four has the chemistry and banter that most movies lack. This is a very patient journey and a very simple quest. They just want the sun to rise on this night which seems to be taking longer than usual.

The art in The Sun Is Late is the other part of the equation that is perfectly balanced with the story’s mood. It’s by Erin E. Stead and looks as if it’s pencils and watercolor. The illustrations are realistic and crisp, when it comes to the foreground subjects, but has a massive, dreamy quality in the background. The panels in the book might be smaller than other books, but they feel gargantuan as if it would take you days to traverse from the barn to the coop and all the way to the edge of the world.

The Sun Is Late And So Is The Farmer is a read-along book that those in pre-k through second grade will willfully get lost in. Those older audiences will play along with the perspective joke, while the younger readers will enjoy the metaphors, personalities, and atmosphere that the book provides. If this book is in your classroom or library, it’ll be one that’s read year after year, as new audiences discover it. If it’s in your home library then it’s highly probable that it’ll remain in your forever library until a new generation of small people visits you.

The Sun Is Late And So Is The Farmer is by Philip C. Stead with illustrations by Erin E. Stead and is available on Neal Porter Books, an imprint of Holiday House Publishing.

There are affiliate links in this post.