Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Becker (the Journey trilogy) celebrates life-sustaining light in this unusual board book. Blending science and poetry with just a few words, the text introduces the ways that light shapes our world: "It sips the sea/ to make the rain"; "It lights the moon/ to kiss the night." Corresponding symbols (a splashing ocean wave, a bright moon) lie at the center of each elegantly spare spread, surrounded by a ring of die-cut circles that gradually fill in with discs of transparent color as the pages turn. Like Hervé Tullet's Press Here, this title will invite interactive read-alouds-its sturdy cut-outs are perfectly sized for small hands. Forming a luminous, rainbow-hued sphere when the covers close, the circular pattern of colors resembles stained glass window panels in a house of worship, as well as a secular view through a kaleidoscope, reinforcing the mood of quiet awe and universal connection in the book's final lines: "This light is you. And you are the light." Becker's artful board book offers opportunities for tactile play and deeper contemplation. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-This creative board book is an early introduction to STEM for young audiences. The cover is bright and colorful and designed to grab their attention. When the book is held up into the light, children can look through the 12 translucent circles of greens, blues, purples, oranges, and yellows. The story seems simple but has great depth. The title starts, "This is light that brings the dawn." The text is clever, too: "It sips the sea to make the rain." This, of course, refers to evaporation. The story lends itself to discussion with children and does an outstanding job of introducing complex ideas in a lighthearted, lyrical way. Although the word photosynthesis is never used, the concept of light feeding leaves is introduced. The text and illustrations work well together to create a sturdy, tactile experience will appeal to young children. VERDICT This is an age-appropriate concept book. Highly recommended as a first purchase for public libraries and preschools.-Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Becker (Journey, rev. 9/13, and sequels) presents a striking board book about colors, the sun, and, more broadly, the environment and our interconnected ecology. The book cover features an intricate laser-cut sun surrounded by a dozen die-cut circles, each a different, translucent hue and in rainbow order. As pages turn, readers can hold the book up to the lightor, better yet, the actual sunfor a gorgeous effect, as certain colors are highlighted (or hidden). One central image on each spread (the sun, fire, wheat, leaves) points to the individuality of various elements in nature, while Beckers brief, poetic text simultaneously underscores their synergy: This is the light / that brings the dawn // to warm the sky / and hug the land. An eye-pleasing novelty board book for young children with additional depth that recommends it for slightly older budding environmentalists. elissa Gershowitz September/October 2019 p.56(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Explore the ways sunlight enriches the Earth, enhanced by colorful, dynamically shifting die-cut circles. Don't be fooled by the board-book format; there's plenty for readers of all ages in this interactive art book, written as a poetic ode to the power and importance of light. Evocatively stylized symbolsa tongue of flame, a sheaf of wheatfill the middles of the rectos, surrounded by 12 die-cut holes that hold translucent jewel-toned inserts. Younger readers will marvel while holding the book up to the light as each page turn changes the way the colored layers interact and mix, an exploration that the durable plastic circles allow. Older, more sophisticated readers will appreciate the lyrical ponderings on the sun's effects on the water cycle and growing seasons and will find meaning in the book's culmination tying the sun back to readers; text opposite a human silhouette surrounded by a radiating rainbow mandala informs them that "This light is you. And you are light." Becker uses the glowing swatches of color powerfully. Variegated shades of blue circle a wave's crest; a decorative trio of gold, lime, and violet halos grain; a stark penultimate page of white moon against black background has no color at all. This book is demanding of its readers, but those who take the time are in for a treat.A well-crafted art book with emotional resonance. (Board book. 3-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
