Official Review: The Night of the Lights

[Juliana_Isabella]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Night of the Lights" by A. Elizabeth Orley.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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The Night of the Lights by A. Elizabeth Orley is a children’s picture book about a little boy with a big, creative mind. Sam always looks forward to the days he spends with Gigi, his grandmother. On this particular day, Gigi drives Sam out of the city to her country home, where she has a special surprise planned. After the sun goes down, Sam begins to see fireflies twinkling in the sky, and Gigi encourages him to catch a few. Sam must use his creative mind to figure out how to capture the fireflies and impress Gigi.

I really enjoyed how the author brought out the magical feeling of catching fireflies in this book. I became nostalgic while reading because, just like Sam, I used to take trips to the country to visit family and catch fireflies. Because of this, I think this book could open parents up to talking about their childhoods with their kids.

Not only does the writing highlight the magic of the fireflies, but the illustrations also do a great job of telling the story. The rippling cartoon pictures make the reader feel like they are looking through an old pane of wavy glass. This really added to the timeless nature of the story and made me feel like children could see themselves in Sam’s place.

Overall, I would rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I really enjoyed the writing and illustrations and found no errors in it. I deducted one star because I felt that the author pushed the message of creative thinking a little too far in the middle of the book. It interrupted the main storyline, and I don’t think kids need that obvious of a push to want to think creatively. After this part of the story, Gigi explains that they need to let the fireflies go, and this leads to a message about how we should treat animals. This message was integrated much more naturally, and I would have appreciated the author integrating the message about creative thinking in a similar way.

I would recommend this book to parents of kids ages five to eight. The author includes educational information about fireflies but also keeps the vocabulary at a level appropriate for early readers. I could see many parents using this book to inspire a sense of wonder in their children.

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The Night of the Lights
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Ogugua Obinna Stephen]

Sounds so catching. This is the first of its kind I have ever seen. Making children creative, this is unusual. Thanks to the author for a well thought out book.

[kljrox]

What a delightful book. I love the cover and the beautiful message of kindness to living things. Thank you for a lovely review.

[Hazel_25]

I love the cover page and the intro of the story it talks about how creative the mind of a child is. And How they slowly learning from things on what they see.

[Veronicaadto1]

Thanks for the review. The night of the light is something to read about because as we imagine despite the darkness there this little creature giving us light, likely during our badtimes there this something in our mind telling us 'hope' for there are better tomorrow's. The child's mind becomes so creative of how he could catch the fireflies while seeing them flying?

[Valkyrie9]

Wow! This sounds like a stunning read! I love how some of the letters on the front cover are made to look like the fireflies. Creative thinking and how to treat animals with respect are two very important lessons for children. Thanks for an in-depth and honest review.

[Chinelookeke]

Wonderfully written and reviewed. I would make sure I read this book to my kids someday. Thanks a lot.

[GiselleBengochea]

Congratulations on a great review! God bless you!

[Elvis Best]

I don't have any experience with catching fireflies, but you make it sound so magical. Also, I love children's books. Great review!

[Topsey]

You make this book sound really great! What a lovely book to read to children. Thanks for your great review.

[drwcroaker]

I love collecting children’s picture books and this one sounds great. I remember the first time I ever saw fireflies. It was a magical moment. I never knew there were such things. Thanks for your review.

[Erin Dydek]

This review had me reminiscing about catching fireflies as a kid and fun times with my siblings. This sounds like a fun book to share with my son. Thanks for the great review!

[Priyanka2304]

I concept of the book is so sweet. Catching fireflies or even watching them is so refreshing. Thanks for the amazing review.

[Teele]

but the illustrations also do a great job of telling the story

This is why I love children books. Good review.

[Kola+wole]

Wow! The magic in fireflies. Creative thinking is something children should be helped developed in children. Thanks for a well written review.