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FLASH AND GLEAM by Sue Fliess

FLASH AND GLEAM

Light in Our World

by Sue Fliess ; illustrated by Khoa Le

Pub Date: March 3rd, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5415-5770-3
Publisher: Millbrook/Lerner

Light appears in many forms, especially in celebrations.

Rays of sunlight sparkle on a garden. The northern lights swirl across an evening sky. From the morning sun to the nighttime moon, light shines all around. This book follows four children from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The children never all meet, but several spreads include them all via interlocking backgrounds, highlighting their shared experiences. For instance, each child views Fourth of July fireworks with two parents or caregivers. (These pairs each present male and female.) Then each family observes its own winter celebration of lights: Yi Peng with a Thai family; Diwali with an Indian family; Hanukkah with a white family; Christmas with a black family. Concise stanzas of five or six syllables evoke the wonder, movement, or purpose of different light sources: “Shimmer / Glance / Blaze and dance” describes a beach bonfire. Backmatter covers the science of light, including composition, and some manifestations like lightning as well as holiday descriptions. The illustrations, rich with color and patterns, are their own celebration of light, particularly in their warm, golden glows. Similar light sources carry different meanings; a birthday candle’s flame gives off fairy-dust–like sparks for a wish while a collection of memorial candles burn strong and steady for healing. The book successfully depicts both scientific and cultural experiences in impressive variety and connections.

A ray of light, both illuminating and beautiful.

(Informational picture book. 5-8)