A great book for younger children, around ages 3-5. Colorful and surprisingly detailed. I love the illustrations! ( )

A young child is afraid of the dark and uses lights to overcome her fears.
Ages: 3-5
Source: Pierce College library

this book is about lights. all the different types of night lights in the world.

Each page names a different type of light: night light, candlelight, lightning, etc. The illustrations tell the story, so it's a fun book for kids who struggle with reading, or who are in the earliest stages of reading, and want "to read" a book, but for them that still means that they look at pictures and verbalize their ideas, rather than fully reading line by line.

The repetitive use of the tricky -igh sound lets early readers see the pattern many times over. The illustrations are unique-- they use foreground focal points to adjust perspective and cause viewers to imagine more of the story own their own.

The first time I read it, I failed to recognize the sequenced nature of the illustrations-- it actually took a 7 year old to show me that there is, in fact, a story being told, but it's told through pictures alone. The differently named lights don't narrate; instead, the lights correspond with the progression of a story about a mom and daughter celebrating a dog's birthday BBQ. ( )

Do we really need yet another bedtime book?

If it's Susan Gal's Night Lights, then yes, we do. The text is a simple list of lights at night; from streetlights to lightning, flashlights, fireflies, moonlight, and starlight. The illustrations are full of love and tender humor, as a little girl arrives home in the evening with her mother and enjoys the wonders of night lights.

I love the contrast between the sketchy, shadowy art and the bright patterns on the walls and furniture, although my favorite spread would be the marshmallow-stealing raccoons caught in a porch spotlight. Or maybe the cozy reading in bed scene with homage to Gene Zion.

Verdict: Delightful and perfect for winding down to bed with a young child or calming night-time fears.

ISBN: 0375858628; Published November 2009 by Knopf; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library; Added to my personal wishlist