"A Powerful and Thoughtful Exploration of Sun Safety" – *Safe in the Sun* by Adam Schmitt

Well deserved Rating: ★★★★★

Adam Schmitt's "Safe in the Sun" is a timely and crucial book that beautifully combines science, personal insight, and actionable advice about sun safety. In a world where skin cancer rates continue to rise, Schmitt has created a well-researched, accessible guide that provides essential information for anyone looking to protect their skin and enjoy the outdoors safely.

The book is divided into practical sections, starting with the science behind how UV rays damage our skin and the types of skin cancers they can cause. Schmitt’s writing is clear and concise, making even complex topics easy to understand for readers with no background in science. What stands out the most is his compassionate and encouraging tone, which reassures readers that taking care of their skin doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Schmitt also dives into common misconceptions about sun exposure, including the belief that people with darker skin are immune to skin damage. He expertly addresses these myths, empowering readers with the knowledge to make informed decisions about sun protection. His advice includes tips on choosing the right sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and seeking shade, which are all backed by the latest dermatological research.

What makes this informative picture book truly exceptional is its holistic approach. Schmitt not only focuses on preventing sunburn and skin cancer but also touches on the importance of sun exposure affecting daily life's healthy balance that doesn’t require sacrificing the benefits of being outside.

The illustrations are fantastic addition that enhances the overall experience of the book. They are not just decorative but serve a clear educational purpose, helping to visually explain important concepts about sun safety.

Schmitt uses a mix of diagrams, charts and illustrations that break down complex ideas in a simple, easy-to-digest way. For instance, the sections on how UV rays affect skin are complemented with detailed yet approachable illustrations that show the layers of the skin and the damage UV exposure can cause. These visuals help reinforce the scientific explanations, making the book more engaging and accessible, especially for younger readers or those who may not be as familiar with dermatological concepts.
The artwork is also thoughtfully designed to reflect the diverse range of people who need sun protection. The illustrations show a variety of skin tones, body types and environments, ensuring that the advice feels relevant and inclusive to all readers.

Overall, the illustrations are both informative and aesthetically pleasing, adding to the educational value of the book while maintaining a light, approachable feel.

In addition to the educational content, Schmitt’s personal experience of his own journey as a dermatologist, add a layer of relatability and humanity to the book, making it feel more like a conversation with a trusted friend than a clinical manual.

It is an invaluable resource for readers of all ages who want to protect themselves and their loved ones while still enjoying the outdoors. Whether you're a sun-lover, someone with fair skin, or just a concerned parent, this book provides the knowledge and tools to stay safe in the sun without sacrificing fun. Highly recommended!

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

Safe in the sun explains why we can get sunburned on cloudy days and how to protect ourselves from burning. I fun and informative picture book.

Written by a medical doctor, this short story helps children understand the importance of sun safety. I think the illustrations and narration of children speaking to their friends will help make this book a good source of information for younger readers. I recommend this for doctor's offices, school libraries, and public libraries.

Well this book was alright. The art style was nice and fun, but I’d say it was more informative in a health and safety ad sort of way as opposed to a fun kids book. Not exactly memorable, and kinda boring to read through because it went on a lot of tangents about sun safety. It was fine.

The art, especially the colors, are beautiful! I love how informative this book is while still being easy to understand for younger kids. I love how it incorporates the different activities in the sun that you can enjoy if you stay safe :)

Four friends are heading outside for a full day of fun! While Alex and Charlie make sure to put on sunscreen and protective clothing, Sam and Nate decide they don’t need to worry about it because it’s a cloudy day. But the next morning, Sam and Nate wake up to red, painful sunburns. “How did this happen? The sun wasn’t even out!” Alex and Charlie help the boys understand how ultraviolet light can cause sunburns, and how to be smart about sun protection so they can continue to spend lots of time outside as healthy and active kids.

This is such a cool way to present important information to kids about how to stay safe in the sun! I did feel like the information-based portion took over towards the end, and I think adding illustrations might be a cool idea, to give some visuals of what can help kids stay safe in the sun.

Safe in the Sun is a very informative book about sun safety. It discusses how the sun burns us, and many different ways to avoid getting burnt.

The text was quite dense and includes a lot of information. It would be good to have an adult reading this book with the child to help them understand everything. That being said, the illustrations are very well done and I can see parents using them as a guide for an abridged version for smaller children.

Coming from Australia, I think this is a very important topic for children to understand. I found the story about being able to be burnt while it's cloudy reminiscent of that time I got the worst burn of my life on a cloudy day at the pool!

As we said as kids; slip, slop, slap. Slip on your rash top, slop on your sunscreen and slap on a hat.

Safe in the Sun is a picture book about sun safety. It would be best read with the help of an adult because there are some big terms used. Some of the text felt visually dense, but it includes a lot of good information on how to keep your skin safe in the sun. The illustrations are bright and cheerful.

Thanks to North Stars Editions - Jelly Fish Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.