Night Lights

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 show more fears.

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

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 show more 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. show less

Sparely worded and lushly illustrated, this children's story references influential children's books like those by Keats in its "atmospheric collage work," as noted in a Kirkus review, and a Harry-like dancing pup. Digital collage and charcoal create a unique habitat for these engaging characters.

As a little girl goes camping with her dog, she names all the lights she can see in the dark. Interesting pictures to look at with only one to two words on a page. Predictably but sweetly ends with "good night."

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

Wonderfully simple, gorgeous book. Just different variations on lights at night (moonlight, porch light, flash light). I wish my room looked like the little girls room with all the awesome patterns.

This quiet book shows young children all of the different types of lights that help us in the dark. From streetlights to porch lights outside, to flashlights and bike headlights, to reading lights and bedroom nightlights: are lots of type of lights to help us through those evening hours. This is a peaceful calming look at night time.