ALA Booklist (Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Inviting children to explore fundamental questions about light and related phenomena, this attractive book introduces ideas such as the transfer of energy from one form to another, the properties of light waves, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Does that sound complex? Fortunately, Adler knows know how to explain basic scientific principles through everyday occurrences that kids can understand, as well as simple activities that they can do at home. Using readily available materials (a flashlight, a book, cardboard tubes, and some tape), step-by-step directions, and the related pictures, children can show "that light waves travel in straight lines." Other activities demonstrate transparent, translucent, and opaque materials as well as refraction and reflection. Raff's cheerful digital artwork includes a few imaginative illustrations of abstract concepts and many images of two children engaged in play that demonstrates the ideas discussed. Explaining light through simply written, basic explanations that offer a sound foundation of understanding for students to build on, this book is a great choice for school and public library collections.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Light, energy, color, shadows, and reflection are all covered in this engaging, information-packed picture book. Simple activities with household objects (spoons, drinking straws, etc.) demonstrate the properties of light, such as how it travels in a straight line or how light waves can be bent. The illustrations, featuring a smiling boy and girl and (oddly) their cow professor, support the information in the text. Glos.

School Library Journal (Tue May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 2-5 This book introduces readers to the concept of light waves. Two young children and an anthropomorphic cow take readers on a tour of light energy in its various forms. Readers learn about translucency, transparency, reflection, refraction, different kinds of rays (gamma, x-rays, UV light, radio waves), and more. A handful of simple hands-on experiments are also included, allowing students to learn more about how light travels and how it can be bent using common household materials. The explanations, while simple and concise, are conveyed at a brisk paceand the book ends rather abruptly. The appealing illustrations nicely complement the concepts conveyed in the text. For example, seven colored waves with different crests and valleys emerge from a prism and reflect from a white piece of paper to portray how colors are observed. The book concludes with an index and glossary, but lacks any listing of additional resources. VERDICT A worthwhile resource for large STEM collections looking to introduce young learners to the basic concepts of light waves. Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA