Lights Day and Night: The Science of How Light Works

to learn about light with a girl and her cat. Written by Susan Hughes and illustrated by Ellen Rooney, this nonfiction title covers a lot of basic information about light, from natural and artificial light to how our eyes see light.

The book is well laid out and can easily be followed by young readers. Concepts flow well, and the text is kept very age-appropriate. Complex concepts are kept simple, and examples come from everyday life. The information presented offers many opportunities for readers to think about the types of light they see every day and the larger roles that light has in life, such as the role of sunlight in the water cycle. Important words are defined simply and well in the text, and there is a “Words to Know” list at the end of the book. The definitions in “Words to Know” are also kept age-appropriate.

Ellen Rooney’s illustrations feature a girl and her cat as they learn about light, from fireflies and stars to sunlight and how we see. The illustrations combine with the text to show how interesting and important light is, and they encourage readers to learn more.

Lights Day and Night: The Science of How Light Works is a great introduction to light for young readers.