Becker, Aaron. You Are Light. Aaron Becker, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 03/2019. [16]pp. $15.99. 978-1-5362-0115-4. OUTSTANDING. GRADES PRE-2.
Using a poetic text, this innovative book describes the importance of the sun and how it impacts the environment. Although it uses board pages, this is for an older audience than the customary board book for babies; parents will need to explain the various scientific concepts that are alluded to in the text. For example, “It feeds the leaves that shade the earth” references photosynthesis without using the word. The pages have die-cut circles, some with plastic translucent inserts, requiring readers to hold it up to the light to see various related colors, so the board pages have a purpose. This unique presentation should inspire the parent reading the book to explain the areas of science and nature that the text and symbolic artwork describes.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool