Light Speaks is created by Christine Layton and Luciana Navarro Powell (illustrations). The publication date is early April 2023. I had the pleasure of reading an
advanced readers copy via Edelweiss. It is classified as Juvenile Nonfiction, Science & Nature, and Astronomy. It is a simple book but includes pieces of information that you may not realize. And it is all done in a prose poetic manner.
This picture book combines the science of light and simplified it for most ages. It allows us to see how light is helpful by lighting our way, or sometimes it accidently is harmful. The art allows bold and colorful images to jump off the page, and yet, keep shadows dark. Splashes of light of all shapes and sizes fill the page.
This is a sweet, but not for everyone story. Best for a bedtime story, though it covers all times of day and night. It could work in a classroom, but you might have to adapt it a smidgen.
And while I enjoyed the text/story presented by Layton, it was Powell’s illustrations that drew me to the book and kept me there. I know that the word nice is a bit simplistic, but they are nice. They are comfortable, but edgy. And they tell the story as much as the text. The artwork is a character of its own, but does not steal the show, but shares the spotlight equally with the text. I just responded to it more quickly. The images represent the tone and feelings presented. In some ways, this book is meant more for adults than kids, but all ages can enjoy.