Sundust

K-Gr 3–Two siblings go out for a walk to investigate something that has fallen near their home. Just past all the concrete, the buildings, and the machinery, the kids find the desert, full of wonders and surprising discoveries. For non-desert dwellers, the book reveals how much life exists in this landscape, with plants and animals illustrated in a spectacular, almost graphic-novel fashion. As it starts to rain, the story becomes more fantastical—the children blend into the desert and are magically transported to space on the back of a hummingbird. They’re drawn back to reality by their mom’s whistle, but retain the magic of their desert experience once home. This book connects the magic of imagination, nature, and childhood beautifully. The gorgeous, high-energy artwork perfectly complements the lyrical text. This would work well for desert studies or comparing different environments, and offers opportunities to discuss the difference between fantasy and reality.