Flash and Gleam: Light in Our World

Flash and Gleam cover
Flash and Gleam by Sue Fliess. Illustrated by Khoa Le

by Sue Fliess
Illustrated by Khoa Le

Millbrook, 2020
32 pages
9781541557703

Ages 3-7

Each page or spread of this creative look at many ways light is part of our lives features one or more rhyming couplets describing light in a specific context set against an illustration showing an accompanying scene. “Bolt / Flash / Thunder and crash”: A brown-skinned family sits inside during a thunderstorm. “Color / Bend / Find the end”: A light-skinned child looks at a rainbow. The warm, inviting illustrations showcase four diverse families, with some of the scenes reflecting religious and/or culturally distinct observances and celebrations—Yi Peng (Thai), Diwali (Hindu), Hanukkah, Christmas, as well as secular (Fourth of July). Weather, seasons, celebrations, community… a picture book rich with thematic connections ends with a note providing information about the science of light and about the specific observances referenced. ©2020 Cooperative Children’s Book Center