Lights Day and Night

August 1, 2021
From fireflies to stars to lightbulbs, there are so many different sources of light. There are natural lights, like stars, which are balls of gas. Our closest source of light is the sun, which also happens to be a star and which is responsible for life on our planet. In addition to helping us see, the sun also facilitates important processes like the water cycle and plant growth. The sun isn't the only natural light on Earth: Volcanoes, lightning, and forest fires are additional sources of light. When natural light isn't available, humans create our own light. We then use this light for a variety of purposes, including communicating with ships at sea, controlling automotive traffic, and keeping score at sporting events. Our eyes use a pupil and a retina to see light, and animals that can see at night have pupils that open especially wide. For all creatures, light is an essential part of our lives here on Earth. This nonfiction picture book couples a wide-ranging set of facts about light with illustrations that balance information and humor. The language is clear and easy to read, and most of the chosen information is situated in child-friendly contexts. Transitions between topics can feel abrupt, sometimes making it difficult to keep track of what is being explained, but the White-presenting child and their cat who appear as consistent characters help mitigate this. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An informative introduction. (Informational picture book. 3-6)

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Starred review from December 1, 2021

Gr 1-3-A lovely work that will pique the curiosity of young children. A girl and her cat spend summer vacation investigating how light works in all formats and environments. The journey starts with the small light of a summer firefly as it illuminates a child's world. Natural light from stars, sunshine, and the sun are covered along with artificial light provided through electricity. Examples of how artificial light helps us in everyday life is explained, and children are reminded that they use and see this type of light every day in home lighting, traffic lights, and even scoreboards at a sporting event. The book then digs deeper into the science of light, sharing how it is absorbed, reflected, and refracted. It also explains the meaning of opaque, translucent, and transparent. Luminous mixed media illustrations show light in all its glory as well as how the earth, humans, and animals benefit from its existence. Calming tones and well-crafted images complement the text. The back matter includes a glossary of the more scientific terms as well as a way for readers to experiment with light at home. VERDICT Highly recommended for purchase in elementary school and public libraries.-Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country P.L., NY

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