Sunflower Sal

Rating:
Summary: Assisted by her family, Sal finds her "gift" by thinking big
Review: Sal is a big girl in search of her special talents. She admires her grandmother's quilting abilities and tries to quilt herself, but is dissatisfied with the results. With supportive encouragement from her family, Sal pursues her gift of planting sunflower seeds, and is beautifully rewarded at harvest time. A great book to promote positive self-esteem (especially in girls). Warm, lovely illustrations.

Rating:
Summary: Warm and wonderful, Sal teaches self-acceptance
Review: The author has created an endearing character who has real-life concerns of size and self-acceptance. The book is about sunflowers and families, but it is really a tool to help children appreciate their own unique abilities and perspectives. Sunflower Sal is an unpretentious child who loves her family, her life and the large sunflowers she plants yearly. She learns to love her size, as well. By accepting that some things come naturally to her, she gives up her struggle and "thinks big". Her contribution is heart warming, and very like Sal herself.