Bottled Sunshine

Author:  Andrea Spalding
Illustrator:  Ruth Ohi
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1550417037
ISBN-13: 978-1550417036

Synopsis:

A touching story about loss and the lasting comfort of memories

Grandma’s magical island is the perfect place for a holiday. The trouble is, when the summer is over, Sammy doesn’t want to leave. Grandma has a plan for their last day together - they are going to make the best batch of bottled sunshine anyone ever saw. After one last excursion together to find the biggest, juiciest blackberries on the island, Sammy helps his Grandma make jam. Why does she call it “bottled sunshine”? Sammy doesn’t really know, but the warm jars of jam do seem to glow, all right. When Sammy returns home, he puts a jar of the bottled sunshine on his shelf and promptly forgets about it.

Sammy’s magical holiday with Grandma is to be his last. The following winter, Grandma dies and Sammy is inconsolable. But as his mother comforts him, Sammy begins to think back about his time with his beloved Grandma, and he suddenly remembers the jar of jam. He takes it down from the shelf and opens the lid. As the scent of blackberries fill the kitchen, memories wash over Sammy. And eagerly he shares Grandma’s last gift with his mom.

A touching story about loss and the lasting comfort of memories, Bottled Sunshine is for any child who has lost a cherished grandparent. Author Andrea Spalding’s subtle and moving text is beautifully balanced by artist Ruth Ohi’s gentle and understated illustrations. This is a book for parents and children to read together.

School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–A sweet look at the love between a grandson and grandmother that endures even after the elder's death. Sam has spent the summer with his grandma at an idyllic waterside setting. When he is sad about leaving, she suggests that they bottle some sunshine. Although unsure of what Grandma means, Sam readily follows along as they set out on an expedition to the blackberry patch. Blackberry jam, as it turns out, is her recipe for beating away the end-of-summer blues. Upon returning home, the boy places his treasured bottle of jam on a shelf and returns to his routine of school and related activities. It is only when his family receives news of Grandma's death that he opens the jar filled not just with blackberries, but with the wonderful memories of summer and his beloved relative as well. This gentle, heartfelt account is an age-appropriate treatment of loss and death. The soft hues of the illustrations are well matched to the tone of the story, making this a lovely addition for any collection.–Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA

Chocolate Lily Book Award shortlist 2006-2007 – Picture Book Category

Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice, 2006