Nicholas Blechman

There are plenty of counting books out there, and sometimes the kinds of objects counted are enough to grab a reader. In this book, it's the design itself that grabs kiddos and adults! The “pixelated” style of the font is unique and I think it would attract kids who are used to looking at gadgets or playing with Lite Brite. The mystery of “what’s making the light” is enough to really draw kids in, along with the bright illustrations. But I quickly found myself in complete suspense show more over what the author would do with the holes in the page on the "flipside" of the "guessing" page. I didn’t notice at first, but by the time we got to #3 and I realized he had to draw an opposing picture that used the holes well, I really looked forward to seeing what he would do, and was not disappointed. Super cute. This is the kind of a book I would buy for a young kid’s birthday party, knowing the parent would appreciate it. This was much more fun for me personally to read than most counting books I’ve seen. show less

Night Light is a picture book my boys would have loved! Bright, colorful computer-generated illustrations include a zooming train, a hovering helicopter, a shiny taxi, a chugging tugboat, a hard-working loader and a gleaming firetruck. All have lights that shine in the dark. Youngsters will enjoy counting the lights, hearing clues and then speculating on what vehicle’s lights are glowing through the die cuts. As well, they will enjoy looking at the flip side of the die cuts and how show more Blechman incorporates the black circles they create into the left side of each spread.

Whether enjoyed as a counting book or as a part of a transportation theme, Night Light is best-suited to preschool or kindergarten age children. It could also be used as inspiration for older children, prompting an exploration of art techniques that incorporate the magic of die cuts.

Some reviewers have commented about the final illustration of the book. It is printed on the end papers and, when the book jacket is in place, it is partially obscured. Similarly, at the front of the book, the book jacket covers the publishing details enhancing the look of the first pages. While perhaps not ideal, this does not detract from the appeal this story will have for transportation enthusiasts.

Night Light has been nominated for a 2013 Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Award. show less

I read this book to a group of K-2 Graders and they all really liked it! It's a pretty basic counting book that is themed around cars and lights. Its fun do do as a read aloud cause you can have the kids play a kind of guessing game while you read. I thought the real reason why kids were so enamored by the book was because of the artwork. Visually the book looks pretty awesome. It has really bright colors and sharp contrasts which make it captivating for young children.

The design is very creative in relating the pages to one another. Typically counting and ABC books feel disjoint to me, this one does not. The book also welcomes interaction between adult, child, text, and images, something that is essential in this genre.