Celebrate Diwali : With Sweets, Lights And Fireworks

Heiligman, Deborah

As part of the “Holidays Around the World” series by National Geographic, the author Deborah Heiligman, along with her consultant Dr. Vasudha Narayanan, cooperatively presents the reader with an insider’s view of a colorful and joyous holiday known as Diwali and celebrated by people of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths with sweet treats, lots of lights, and loud, booming fireworks. Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is a traditional holiday that celebrates the victory of good over evil. Pictures of traditional clothing and food, celebrations with colors, lights, and more come alive on each page. The holy River Ganga, along with other beautifully represented areas of India, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar is included in the Diwali traditions. The photographs encourage the reader to take a pictorial trip around the world where Diwali is celebrated in places such as Bethesda, Maryland, and Durban, South Africa. The reader will learn that just as in all other holidays, this is a time to visit with and honor family and friends. Presented through a rich blend of text and photographs, this fascinating cultural, historical, and religious celebration is clearly a treasure for all who believe in the triumph of good over evil. 2008, National Geographic Society, $6.95. Ages 4 to 8.

REVIEWER: Melissa Stickles (Children’s Literature)

ISBN(s) : 9781426302916

The Story Of Divaali

Verma, Jatinder Nath
Image courtesy Barefoot Books

Divaali, the Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated in modern India much as Christmas is here. This story comes from The Ramayana, and Verma’s strong retelling is based on the versions told to him by his parents. The rich and complex tale of love and devotion includes a wicked stepmother, a devoted brother, a selfless princess, deception, filial piety, and patience. The god Vishnu sends Rama to be the prayed-for son of King Dashratha; Rama wins the hand of the Princess Sita by shooting a bow that he alone can handle. Adventure follows: the couple is banished, Sita is captured by a demon king and is rescued by Rama with the help of his brother and a monkey god. When Rama and Sita are restored to their kingdom, the people rejoice by lighting small oil lamps (diva) in all the windows, as if the stars had moved to earth. Gouache illustrations use blues, golds, and white: Vishnu and Rama are blue, as is traditional, and strong, sinuous lines enfold the colors in a glory of movement on the page. Category: Books for the Young–Nonfiction. 2002, Barefoot, $16.99. Gr. 1-3.

REVIEWER: GraceAnne DeCandido (Booklist)

(Additional reviews and awards available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 1841489360, 9781841489360

Diwali : The Hindu Festival Of Lights, Feasts, And Family

Parker-Rock, Michelle

Part of the series, “Finding Out About Holidays” this title opens with a brief retelling of the dominant north Indian story behind Diwali. The summary of the story accurately reflects the Hindu epic, The Ramayana. However, the accompanying artwork is culturally dissonant from Indian images of the story. Parker-Rock does her best with the explanation of the first Diwali–a difficult task when dealing with a religion so old it has neither known founders nor a consistent chronology. The chapter fails to mention the major southern explanation of Diwali. The multiplicity and apparent mutual contradictions among Hindu traditions is admittedly confusing to the outsider, but it is regretful that the confusion is all too evident here. Overviews of Hinduism, preparations for the festival of Diwali, and accounts of the day itself, are adequate. Pronunciation keys in the text contain numerous mistakes. The most egregious error, however, is the selection of the photo on page 24. The caption reads, “On Diwali, many people show their respect for this day at temples.” The image, however, is of a bearded gentleman, roza (Muslim prayer beads) in hand, against the gorgeous trellis wall of what is indisputably a mosque! After ten years of calls for authenticity in multicultural books, this extent of generalization and conflation is a disgrace. Diwali is full enough of misinformation and misrepresentation that it ought not to be used in classrooms. 2004, Enslow, $18.95. Ages 7 to 10.

REVIEWER: Uma Krishnaswami (Children’s Literature)

(Additional reading measurement program info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 0766022358, 9780766022355

Festival Of Light : Deepavali Legends From Around India

Radhika Sekar
Image courtesy Vakils Feffer & Simons

Radhika Sekar is an Indian-born Canadian with a background in religious studies focussing on Hinduism. She has published several books in an effort to introduce some of her culture to children. The books are large soft covers illustrated in a traditional Indian style. Festival of Light, illustrated by Katherine E. Allen, consists of seven stories associated with Deepavali, or Diwali, “a popular Hindu festival celebrated by all Hindus, irrespective of sect or caste.” The tales are told in folkloric cadence, but they are somewhat long and involved for those who discovering the characters for the first time. In “The Slaying of Ravana and the Return of Prince Rama,” readers learn of the heroism of Rama in rescuing the lovely Sita from wicked Ravana, a many-headed asura, or ogre. Rama explained how Ravana had tricked them and carried away Sita. “She must be rescued, but alas, we have no army. How can we fight the mighty Ravana?” Calling all the monkeys of the forest together, Hanuman replied, “Don’t be discouraged, dear Prince. We will help you. Our monkey army will gather stones and make a bridge across the sea to Lanka.” The defeat of Ravana comes not by severing his heads from his body but by striking the seat of his power, his belly. While the effort to make Hindu mythology accessible to young people is appreciated, it is not entirely unique. Other collections available, such as The Puffin Book of Classic Indian Tales (from Penguin Books India) and Indian Children’s Favourite Stories (Tuttle), while not dealing exclusively with Hindu lore, do cover some of the same material and are also illustrated in a style echoing classical Indian art. Indian Tales: a Barefoot Collection, previously reviewed in CM, covers India by region and prefaces each story with a summary of customs, food and holiday observances. The pictures in this book are a more in the western style. The books by Sekar are recommended for larger folklore collections, or for areas where there is an Indian population interested in Hindu lore. Recommended. Rating: ** /4. Grades 2-5. 2007, Vakils Feffer & Simons, 66 pp., pbk., $15.00. Ages 7 to 10.

REVIEWER: Ellen Heaney (CM Magazine)

ISBN(s) : 8187111704, 9788187111702

Divali

Powell, Jillian

The “Why is This Festival Special?” series, originally published in the UK (hence the use of the term “festival” to be synonymous with “holiday”), also includes books about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Id-ul-Fitr. This title examines the importance of Divali, the Hindu festival of lights, and tells readers how it is celebrated. The opening chapter deals with beliefs related to the celebration and the prevalence of its observance on the Indian subcontinent. It is followed by a chapter presenting information about the mythological background, with an emphasis on the north Indian association of the story with the prince Ram and his return from exile. Subsequent chapters address the symbolism and use of lights, in particular oil lamps and candles, getting ready for Divali, dressing up, prayers, the association of the day with luck and money, shopping and public entertainment, special festive foods, and fireworks and dancing. A final chapter explains how Sikhs and Jains have incorporated this major Indian festival into their traditions as well. Fully illustrated with color photographs, this book is clearly and respectfully developed for younger readers. Quotes from practicing Hindus constitute an addition to the narrative. A glossary, background information on the religions in this book, and an index round out the book. 2005, Franklin Watts, $25.65. Ages 7 to 10.

REVIEWER: Uma Krishnaswami (Children’s Literature)

(Additional reading measurement program info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9781583409466, 1583409467

Diwali : Hindu Festival Of Lights

Preszler, June

Part of the publisher’s “Holidays and Cultures” set in the “First Facts” series, this volume is one of six being released simultaneously. The other titles are Christmas: Season of Peace and Joy, Juneteenth: Jubilee for Freedom, Passover: Jewish Celebration of Freedom, St. Patrick’s Day: Day of Irish Pride, and Thanksgiving Day: A Day of Thanks. The history and meaning of Diwali is explained briefly, in simple language accessible to the targeted K-3 audience. Customs and rituals are discussed, such as the ephemeral floor art form of rangoli and the lighting of firecrackers. Customs from north and south India are somewhat conflated. The identification of Diwali with the “Hindu New Year” is made to seem more of a pan-Indian observance than is actually the case. The rangoli pattern shown in the photographs is a powder design while the text describes another style, using paste. Back matter includes a sample rangoli design, a glossary, addition readings (one is a title containing significant errors), a password and instructions to access the FactHound web site, and an index. While the author has clearly done the work of simplifying this material for young readers, the perpetuation of minor errors in this volume could have easily been avoided. It is recommended that for future books with South Asian content, the publisher consult with someone knowledgeable not only about the region, but about the range of children’s books seeking to represent it. 2007, Capstone Press, $21.26. Ages 5 to 8.

REVIEWER: Uma Krishnaswami (Children’s Literature)

(Additional reading measurement program info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9780736863957, 0736863958

The Divali Story

Ganeri, Anita

This story is part of the Hindu epic, The Ramayana, and underlies the celebration of Divali, an annual holiday in India. Although Rama is heir to the throne, he and his bride Sita are banished to the forest for fourteen years at the insistence of his step-mother. Lakshman, Rama’s brother, accompanies them. While the two men are hunting, Sita is abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Rama and Lakshman are aided in the rescue by the monkey army with their general Hanuman, who is also the son of the god of the wind. Heavy paper and large print interspersed with exotic colored pictures enhance this retelling. Rama appears in traditional blue skin. Hanuman and his cohorts are appealingly human. There is a note about Divali celebrations and a note of explanation about The Ramayana. A recipe for making coconut candy and illustrated directions to make a Hanuman mask are included. This is part of the “Storyteller” series. Children and their parents will enjoy reading this classic Hindu tale in this durable edition. 2007 (orig. 2003), Cherrytree Books, $11.90. Ages 5 to 8.

REVIEWER: Carlee Hallman (Children’s Literature)

(Additional reading measurement program info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 1842344331, 9781842344330

How And Why Do Hindus And Sikhs Celebrate Divali?

Mead, Jean

How and why do Hindus and Sikhs celebrate Divali? is another title in the ‘Step-up Religion’ series written to encourage a deeper understanding of world religions amongst the younger generation. It is also aimed at Key Stage two to support the learning objectives of the religious education scheme of work curriculum. The text provides information about Divali, the festival of light, a Hindu festival celebrated in India for centuries. This festival is also celebrated by the followers of a different and much younger religion, Sikhism. The book first examines in detail all the aspects of Divali including the basic story, the deities worshipped and traditions and customs observed. It then discusses the significance of light and draws on other religions to broaden pupils’ perception of other faiths. Regarding why and how Sikhs celebrate Divali, the book briefly examines the religion and then provides a historical perspective to this tradition. The sixth Guru, Guru Har Gobind, was imprisoned for a considerable length of time and finally released on Divali in 1619. Sikhs illuminated the Golden Temple to welcome him. Since then Sikhs have joined Hindus in celebrating Divali but follow their own separate beliefs and practices along with some of the common traditions already established. Divali is a colourful festival and the illustrations in the book mirror this. Extensive notes for teachers and parents are given with a comprehensive glossary and index. ‘Step-up Religion’ Category: 8-10 Junior/Middle. Rating: 3 (Good). Evans, 32pp; NON FICTION, 12.99 hbk. Ages 8 to 10.

REVIEWER: Khalida Alvi (Books for Keeps)

ISBN(s) : 0237534126, 9780237534127, 0140155899842

Flicker Flash

Graham, Joan Bransfield

There are so many ways to celebrate light, and Graham sings many of them in this collection of shaped, rhymed poems. The design is extraordinarily clever: it’s one thing to make a poem in the shape of a match or a lightbulb, but quite another to make one in the shape of a firefly or a spotlight. Type fonts bulge or slim down depending on the shape of the poem, switching from serif to sanserif in the process. Illustrator Nancy Davis uses matte colors and flat geometric forms in a way that keeps the focus on the shaped poems themselves. Cameras, televisions, fireworks, and even the refrigerator light have their own verses. Like J. Patrick Lewis’ Doodle Dandies (1998), illustrated by Lisa Desimini, this will bewitch readers with both sound and shape. Category: Middle Readers. 1999, Houghton, $15.95. Gr. 3-6.

REVIEWER: GraceAnne DeCandido (Booklist)

(Additional reviews, awards, curriculum links, and reading level info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 039590501X, 9780395905012

The House In The Night

Swanson, Susan Marie

Starred Review* A young girl is given a golden key to a house. “In the house / burns a light. / In that light / rests a bed. On that bed / waits a book.” And so continues this simple text, which describes sometimes fantastical pleasures as a bird from the book spirits the child through the starry sky to a wise-faced moon. The cumulative tale is a familiar picture-book conceit; the difference in success comes from the artwork. Here, the art is spectacular. Executed in scratchboard decorated in droplets of gold, Krommes’ illustrations expand on Swanson’s reassuring story (inspired by a nursery rhyme that begins, “This is the key of the kingdom”) to create a world as cozy inside the house as it is majestic outside. The two-page spread depicting rolling meadows beyond the home, dotted with trees, houses, barns, and road meeting the inky sky, is mesmerizing. The use of gold is especially effective, coloring the stars and a knowing moon, all surrounded with black-and-white halos. A beautiful piece of bookmaking that will delight both parents and children. Preschool-Kindergarten

REVIEWER: Ilene Cooper (Booklist)

(Additional reviews, awards, and reading level info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9780618862443, 0618862447

Night Lights

Gal, Susan

For this family of three mother, daughter and pup the everyday events of an evening take on special meaning in this debut author/illustrator’s capable hands. A single word or two describing the lights that brighten the night determine each page’s action. A streetlight illuminates the darkened cityscape as mother and child cycle home; firelight makes for a cozy backyard BBQ; a flashlight produces a shadow-puppet play. Gal cleverly weaves these intimate moments together to create a seamless bedtime story. The illustrations, done with a heavy oil crayon or chalk pastel-type texture in combination with cut and pasted photographic elements, are infused with an inviting warmth. Reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats, for the atmospheric collage work, and Margaret Bloy Graham, with a pooch that could double for Harry (whose story the girl reads in bed with her dog), the images manage to be both fresh and familiar. The many warm renderings of light the glow from a reading light, the comfort of the night-light and the peacefulness of the moonlight reveal the loveliness of a night spent with an affectionate family. 2009, Knopf, 32p, $14.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 3 to 6. Starred Review.

REVIEWER: Kirkus

(Additional reviews, awards, and reading level info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9780375958625, 0375958622, 9780375858628

Night Light

Blechman, Nicholas

1 Light / Shining Bright? / 2 Lights / Hovering in Flight?”–and on to Ten! Blechman’s text sums up this energetic counting book, in which quick, skeltonic rhymes accompany a succession of large trucks (beloved of little boys, and sometimes girls) and other weighty vehicles like a helicopter, a tugboat, a loader, a street sweeper, and a snowplow. But wait, it is a guessing game, too–viewers can see, through die-cut circles, glowing lights behind black backgrounds, then guess which vehicle they might light up, with a lick of rhyme as a clue. Flip the page and the answer is revealed as a big, blocky shape in primary colors accented with black and white (and sometimes acid green). Each vehicle is ingeniously thought out and has a boy in different working outfits as the driver. Kids can learn the numbers, count the lights, and read the names, printed in Dot Matrix Two, which (on black) gives the illusion of lighted signage. After ten, it is back to one–a night light in a late-reader’s bedroom, strewn with all ten vehicles as toys. There is a reading mouse, too, and a window full of stars and moon. Blechman (art director of the New York Times Book Review) has created a graphically appealing counting book, fun for adults as well as for beginning numerators. 2013, Orchard/Scholastic, $16.99. Ages 2 to 5.

REVIEWER: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children’s Literature)

(Additional reviews, recognition, and reading level info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9780545462631, 0545462630

The Monster Who Ate Darkness

Dunbar, Joyce

Though bedroom monsters are a dime a dozen, this one’s a bit different. Looking like a black wombat with a bright-red clown nose, the Creature that lurks under wakeful young Jo-Jo’s bed is but the size of an ant. A hungry one, however, who starts absorbing all the darkness it can find. Going the “Fat Cat” route, the monster proceeds to swell as it sucks the dark not just from the bedroom but from the entire world and beyond leaving confusion and dismay in its wake, until “There were no shadows and hardly any dreams. There was only the light. The stark and staring light.” Liao, a popular Taiwanese illustrator, creates polished, sometimes wordless cartoon scenes featuring a monster whose only scary characteristic is its eventual humongous size. Ultimately Jo-Jo’s tears draw the behemoth back to Earth, where a cuddle and a “darkness lullaby” puts them both to sleep and allows all the darkness to leach back into the universe. Not exactly entropy in action, but a cozy, if lengthy, bedtime tale nonetheless. 2008, Candlewick, 56p, $16.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 5 to 7.

REVIEWER: Kirkus

(Additional reviews, recognition, and reading level info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9780763638597, 0763638595

Bunny Rabbit In The Sunlight

Endle, Kate

Simple paper collages, each captioned with a short, patterned phrase, present a succession of easily recognizable animals in different kinds of light, from “Lazy dog in the summer light” and “Black bear sleeping in the winter light” to “Goldfish swimming in the shimmer light” and “Flappy moth in the porch light.” Though the opening rooster in “dawn light” suggests a predictable progression from day to night the order is actually jumbled which makes a refreshing break from routine, though it may disturb more orderly children. A downloadable MP3 of a sung version of the text is available for free online. Preschool-Kindergarten

REVIEWER: John Peters (Booklist)

(Additional review available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9781570617492, 157061749X

Oscar And The Moth : A Book About Light And Dark

Waring, Geoff

One evening as night is falling, Oscar the ever-curious cat asks a moth where the sun is going. The moth explains that the sun stays right where it is. The earth is moving. Oscar is amazed to learn that the turning earth causes morning, lunchtime, and evening. The moth flies toward a lamp, explaining that when it is dark, light comes from sources other than the sun. In addition to the lamp, they see streetlights and the lights of an airplane. They discuss why stars can only be seen at night. When Oscar spots some fireflies, the moth talks about creatures that create their own light, such as Malaysian land snails, crystal jellyfish, and anglerfish. Oscar discovers shadows and plays with his for a bit before falling asleep. A two-page chart at the end of the book summarizes the information and an index aids in finding specific facts. Bold illustrations with simple lines depict Oscar with huge eyes and alert expressions as he learns more about the world around him. Part of the “Start with Science” series. 2007 (orig. 2006), Candlewick Press, $11.99. Ages 4 to 8.

REVIEWER: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children’s Literature)

(Additional reading measurement program info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9780763635596

Light And Color

Cheshire, Gerard

This nonfiction book defines and explores light and color. Subjects include sources of light and how it travels, the colors hidden in light, and how light behaves when it meets an object. Reflection and refraction are explained with helpful charts and photographs. How we see light, colorblindness, and sight defects of the human eye are followed by interesting explanations of fiber optics, scanners, and holograms. A short introduction explains what the reader will learn and tells about the blue feature boxes that appear throughout the book. These are “Did You Know?” facts, “Investigate” experiments, “Test Yourself” questions, and “Time Travel” discoveries. Answers to the “Test Yourself” and “Investigate” features, an index, and a glossary are included at the end. The photos, charts, timelines, and other illustrations help make the concepts in this text in the “Fundamental Physics Series” easy to understand. Words that are highlighted in bold print throughout the text are found in the glossary. This book provides a good source for the study of these sciences. 2007 (orig. 2006), Smart Apple Media, $34.95. Ages 12 up.

REVIEWER: Vicki Foote (Children’s Literature)

(Additional reading measurement program info available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9781583409961, 1583409963

Light Is All Around Us

Pfeffer, Wendy

A companion book to Pfeffer’s Sounds All Around (1999), this simply written volume introduces the properties of light, particularly sunlight. Meisel’s amiable ink drawings, brightened with colorful washes, help make the concepts accessible to a young audience. Topics range from the simple, such as examples of bioluminescence, to the complex, like how light waves bouncing off objects are perceived by the eye and the brain as vision (a process introduced here but not fully explained). After discussing the sun’s light as “waves of electromagnetic radiation, a kind of energy that travels through space,” the text compares the speed of light to that of cars, planes, and sound waves, while a double-page illustration makes the comparisons more real. An appended hands-on section presents two simple science experiments and an activity related to shadows. An attractive addition to the dependable Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Preschool-Grade 2

REVIEWER: Carolyn Phelan (Booklist)

(Additional reviews available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9780060291211, 0060291214, 9780064409247, 0064409244

Light

Riley, Peter D.

The design of, and concepts presented in, Peter Riley’s Light are exciting and appropriate for third- and fourth-grade students. Each page is filled with colorful descriptions that are appropriate for exploring light. The scientific method is outlined for each exploration, and simple techniques are offered for how to conduct exciting experiments. A brilliant “Peeping Periscope” experiment takes the students on an imaginary journey beneath the sea. The field of optics is covered in “Shadowy Shapes” and “Leaping Light” experiments that use ordinary equipment such as a flashlight and mirrors. After doing the experiments, the reader will be able to see science in many places, such as at the fairground, in city lights, and in wet streets with all the “bouncing” lights. The safety aspects of doing science experiments are covered in clear details. Any science class or children’s library would be an appropriate place for this beautifully designed book. (Real Scientist Investigates Series) Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Highly Recommended, Grades 3-4. 2011, Sea-To-Sea Publications, 32pp., $28.50

REVIEWER: Eva M. Wike (Science Books and Films)

(Additional review available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 1597712817, 9781597712811

Easy Genius Science Projects With Light : Great Experiments And Ideas

Gardner, Robert

Is the moon really bigger when it rises? Where is the image you see in a mirror? Despite the title, there is nothing “easy” in this lively book in Gardner’s Easy Genius Science Projects series, but the physics involved are nonetheless fascinating and will grab curious readers. With instructions for doing experiments on light sources and paths, colors, lenses, mirages, and much more, the inviting and chatty text for each project includes a boxed list of “things you will need,” all of them commonly available, followed by detailed step-by-step instructions with clear diagrams. In many cases Gardner warns of danger and the need for adult supervision. Excellent boxed suggestions for related experiments make this book a great resource for lab use, and it is sure to stimulate plans for more science-fair ideas and projects. Back matter includes a glossary and bibliography of books and Web sites. Grades 6-10

REVIEWER: Hazel Rochman (Booklist)

(Additional review and recognitions available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9780766029262, 0766029263

Electricity And The Light Bulb

Collier, James Lincoln

The Great Inventions series is designed for students in grades 5-12. Each of these books describes the history of the invention that changed the way we live. The nature of society at the time is integrated with the science concepts that made the invention possible. Electricity and the Lightbulb traces the history of our knowledge in the field from ancient to modern times, culminating in the development of light bulbs, generators, and motors. There is an excellent balance between history and science, with and explanation of the special method of Sir Francis Bacon and the scientific method. The book illustrates how scientific ideas develop slowly, with each new step building on the knowledge of earlier scientists; it traces the work of Gilbert, Dufay, Franklin, Galvani, Coulomb, Volata, oersted, Ampere, Faraday, Ohm, and Edison. These books are ideal for teachers who want to plan interdisciplinary studies at the middle school level. The index, list of websites, and bibliography located in each book make them excellent resources for independent student research. All of the information is presented in a clear and user-friendly manner. Each text is enhanced with many photographs and paintings that support the reading material. These books would be especially useful for middle school students, as middle school National Science Standards encourage teachers to integrate connections and understandings about technology and science. Grades 5-8. Keywords: Engineering, History of Science And Technology, Inventions, Magnetism, Physics, Research, Science & Technology, Science Processes, General Physics. 2006, Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 112p, $25.95. Ages 10 to 14.

REVIEWER: Marilyn Marks (National Science Teachers Association)

(Additional review and recognitions available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 0761418784, 9780761418788

All About Light

Halpern, Monica

Are you looking for high-interest, current science information with great graphics to encourage informational reading? The National Geographic Science Chapters are the perfect addition to your science classroom library. Each nonfiction book encompasses a single topic designed to engage even the most reluctant reader. Color photographs, varied fonts, diagrams, and charts provide support for intermediate readers. The table of contents presents information about each chapter’s topic and location. The glossary and index, located at the back, complete the nonfiction format. All about Light explains the sources of light in our world. Natural light comes from the Sun and other stars. Artificial light surrounds us, produced by candles, flashlights, and lamps. Some animals even produce their own light. Refraction and reflection are defined, examples are given, and two other simple experiments are provided to reinforce the concepts. Readers may also check out their shadow, created at different hours of the day, to understand the concept that sunlight cannot pass through some objects, like your body. This short nonfiction book will generate further discussion and exploration of the properties of light. Each National Geographic Science Chapter may become a springboard for further study. Writing a report on a science topic is facilitated for students by the report guide at the end of each book. Readers are encouraged to select a topic for additional investigation, organize and gather information, and write and revise a report. The concise directions provide suggestions for idea development, report writing, and final product. References are provided for supplementary reading and include both book and website information. Grades K-4. Keywords: Light. 2006, National Geographic Society, 40p. Ages 5 to 10.

REVIEWER: Judy Kraus (National Science Teachers Association)

(Additional reviews available on CLCD.)

ISBN(s) : 9780792259428, 0792259424

Updated 10/01/14

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