Sunny Wants to Play

January 15, 2025
A young girl wishes she had siblings to play with, and neighborhood kids might fit the bill...or not. Sunny and her extended family of parents, grandparents, aunties, and an uncle all live together in a Chinese-speaking country, as evidenced by shop signs and street scenes. Being the only child in a big, East Asian-presenting family can be lonely, and Sunny longs for "brothers and sisters like everyone else." The adults certainly look boring as they sit around, run errands, or just nap, so Sunny entertains herself. One day, she gets a happy surprise: A neighbor child knocks at the door and brings Sunny to a nearby alley, where other kids are playing, blowing bubbles, dancing, and climbing. While Sunny is initially delighted to play with other children, a wayward ball kicked right into her face ("OUCH!") sends her heading for the safety of home ("Phew!") to snuggle up with her loving family. Maurey uses text sparingly, with only a few words or a single sentence on most pages; the gouache illustrations, which rely on bright colors with bold brush strokes and solid shapes, tell the bulk of the story. Sunny's mint green dress, matching shoes, floppy sunhat, and pageboy haircut provide visual charm. Readers may be unsure what to make of her abrupt retreat, but overall it's a charming slice-of-life tale that will especially resonate with only children. Winning and relatable.(Picture book. 3-7)

COPYRIGHT(2025) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2025
Preschool-Grade 2 An only child sometimes feels lonely living with her extended family full of grownups. Sunny sees that everyone else seems to have a buddy, from siblings walking arm-in-arm through bustling East Asian outdoor markets to ants marching in a row on the pavement. While her parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncle go about shopping, snoozing, and watching television, the little girl amuses herself on her own. A knock at the door brings an invitation to join a big group of kids having fun in a neighborhood alley. It's exciting at first, but soon all the chaotic energy, along with an errant ball that smacks her in the face, becomes overwhelming. Sunny retreats home to peace, quiet, and welcoming adult arms with a relieved "Phew." Maurey's spare, elegant text is complemented by delicate gouache illustrations that contrast languid, serene indoor scenes with frenetic hullabaloo activity on the playground. Endpapers show Sunny returning to the friendly fray in a way that suits her. A quiet celebration of stepping outside of comfort zones while still staying true to oneself.

COPYRIGHT(2025) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.