“Through me the power of the Sun is renewed. The spirit of life is within the people.”
“Through me the power of the Sun is renewed. The spirit of life is within the people.”
Useful for teaching about myths, Native American storytelling traditions, and symbolism. Students can also connect it to art by exploring shapes and colors that tell cultural stories.

This is a myth because it explains origins and spiritual connections between humans and the Sun. The story follows a boy, born of the Sun, who goes on a journey through trials in the kiva before returning to bring life and light to the people. Myths like this one explain natural and spiritual forces, and McDermott‘s bold geometric illustrations capture the sacred, timeless feeling of the tale.
“Saying hello to the sun, letting it know you are there.“
It is a beautiful book about how to start a day and the joy in the beginning moments of each day. This book is perfect for morning meetings or social-emotional learning, this book invites children to reflect on gratitude and mindfulness. Use it to spark discussions about daily routines, global cultures, and how we each choose to start our day with intention.
This poetic pourquoi tale explains how people around the world greet the sun with meaning. It fits the genre by showing why morning rituals matter across cultures. A calm, reflective read that celebrates nature and tradition. It is a Caldecott winner by Byrd Baylor.

The view from my back porch last night:
sunset and moonrise
view from the back porch — in awe
of nature‘s glory. 🌙
#haikuhive #haikuaday #poetry #nature