cover image Flash and Gleam: Light in Our World

Flash and Gleam: Light in Our World

Sue Fliess, illus. by Khoa Le. Millbrook, $19.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-5415-5770-3

Over the course of a day, an inclusive array of children move with their families through activities and celebrations that incorporate light. In brief rhyming lines, Fliess describes a bright rainbow (“Color/ Bend/ Find the end”) and the sun’s effect on a garden (“Reach/ Low/ Nurture, grow”). Le’s textural, richly colored mixed media renderings of light show families lighting candles for Diwali, Hanukkah, and a memorial; chasing fireflies; and dancing around a campfire. Together, the artwork and simple language make for a read best suited for a group younger than the stated range. Back matter includes scientific facts about light (rainbows, the Northern Lights, and moonlight) and brief information about the depicted holidays. Ages 5–8. [em](Mar.) [/em]