Reviews for Sunrise, sunset
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
Gr. 2-4. Perhaps Broadway's high-profile revival of Fiddler on the Roof sparked the creation of this attractive but strained visual interpretation of the musical's ballad Sunrise, Sunset. Schoenherr's delicately brushed paintings go a long way toward rescuing lyrics pried infelicitously from their musical context; touching double-page spreads unfold the courtship and marriage of a young man and woman, occasionally interrupted by images of the couple as playful children. Unfortunately, it's hard not to notice the odd juxtaposition between the consistently joyful images and the song's bittersweet undertones (One season following another, / Laden with happiness and tears ), and the shtetl setting comes without any discussion that might contextualize the imagery for readers unfamiliar with traditional Jewish culture. Still, music instructors eager for books with tie-ins to familiar songs may appreciate this effort, as will libraries serving large Jewish communities, whose Orthodox members will see many of their own traditions reflected here. --Jennifer Mattson Copyright 2005 Booklist
School Library Journal
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PreS-Gr 2-Schoenherr's stunning artwork done in colored pencil, ink, and acrylic beautifully illustrates this song from Fiddler on the Roof. Jewish life in the shtetls of Eastern Europe is portrayed through the story of Tzeitel, Tevye's oldest daughter, as she grows up, falls in love, marries the tailor, and has a child of her own. The lyrics appear in large font on each page and the musical score is appended. However, with no introduction, background note, or explanatory text, only readers well-versed in the plot of the musical and familiar with the song will understand, appreciate, and enjoy this magnificently illustrated book.-Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Sentimental but vibrant illustrations depict the youth and courtship of a boy and girl in a small Jewish community to accompany the lyrics of the song from the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof. While the book is an exercise in nostalgia, some parents and grandparents may enjoy sharing it with children. The musical score is included at book's end. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Schoenherr uses the original setting for the renowned song's first appearance in this format, capturing its wistful tone with light-drenched scenes that basically reproduce the sets for Fiddler on the Roof, and people in shtetl garb who sometimes resemble the play's cast members. The lyric is voiced by an adult, and though children won't find the theme of time's too-quick passage particularly meaningful, they'll have no trouble following the two young lovers through courtship and wedding to a final tableau with a child of their own—and will likely join their parents or librarians in singing the lines. So despite the less than venturesome setting, this makes a good choice for intergenerational sharing. Musical arrangement at the end. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright ŠKirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Publishers Weekly
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From the musical Fiddler on the Roof, Sunrise, Sunset with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick (music by Jerry Bock) provides the narrative for Ian Schoenherr's illustrations of a girl who grows up, falls in love, gets married and starts a family of her own. Full-bleed spreads depict the preparations for the marriage and the start of a family, while inset paintings record images of the husband and wife's childhood ("Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play?"). A lovely homage to a time-honored song-and tradition. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
