Book of the Day: Sunshine on My Shoulders

Sunshine on My Shoulders
Adapted and Illustrated by Christopher Canyon
Dawn Publications (2003)

Greetings from the very snowy Pacific Northwest!  Greetings from my new computer after a mysterious crash of my old one!

One of the sweet suprises of being a mom is the new friends I've made along the way.  I love the variety of friends with vastly different backgrounds from mine.  For example, Mirette's teacher just facebooked that she helped to butcher a cow.  Holy Shmogoly, I grew up in suburbia and the closest I've come to butchering is when some friends butchered a goat for me and my travelling companions while travelling in Zimbabwe years ago.  

Another friend Simon is young, friendly, warm and a self-made man--gardening, working the land, raising chickens and pigs.   I thought it was hysterical when he revealed that he LOVES John Denver, so much so that he tattoed his name on his arm.  He told me about these books illustated by Christopher Canyon that his daughter, Omi, adores.   It reminded me that I too love John Denver.   Singing I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane on the last day of camp each year ALWAYS made me weep.  

So I ran to the library to reserve the Christopher Canyon John Denver series of kids books.   I agree with Simon, they are AWESOME.  (though Steve, my music snob hubby, seems to suddenly disappear when we are singing/reading them).  There are three:  Take me Home Country Roads,  Ancient Rhymes: A Dolphin Lullaby, and my favorite Sunshine on my Shoulders. 

Each book comes with a cd.  Chirstopher Canyon is an amazing illustrator and each book is strikingly different.  Country Roads is a busy mosaic of images; Ancient Rhymes is in gorgeous peaceful blues and Sunshine on my Shoulders is pouring forth yellow and other pastel colors.  Plus, the main girl is super endearing.

The real reason I LOVE the Sunshine book is because it is very peaceful.  When Mirette gets in that hyper space before bed, it's been completely calming to her.   She sits on my lap and we sway back and forth, making me feel like we are at a campfire in the woods.   For that reason, I am going to buy the book and the cd as soon as possible.  I think it will become a part of our night time ritual.

Christopher Canyon and his wife Jeanette live in Columbus, Ohio and both illustrate children's books.   They share a great website and seem to enjoy sharing their work with kids:  http://www.jeanetteandchristophercanyon.com/OfficialWebsite/Welcome.html

The song, Sunshine on My Shoulders was written on a cold day as an ode to the beautiful sun hiding somewhere above the clouds.  It also refers to the Vietnam war and that sunshine is waiting for us during the hard times.  

Cozy reading (but only if you like John Denver)!