Illuminating Light

Isabel and the Invisible World written by Alan P. Lightman

There’s only one gift Isabel wants for her sixth birthday: a way to see invisible things. She can hardly think of anything else! Finally, the day of her party arrives. Unwrapping a big box, Isabel finds a surprise inside–a glass prism–and a dazzling world of previously invisible color emerges, lighting up the room around her. What else could be out there, waiting for her eyes to discover?

A Spark in the Dark written and illustrated by Pam Fong

A little fish lost in the ocean must find a spark of light to show it the way home.

Moonlight written and illustrated by Stephen Savage

In the quiet hours of the night, moonlight makes its journey through the sky, over land and water, and finally into a child’s bedroom.

Superluminous written and illustrated by Ian De Haes

Nour loves the luminous glow she was born with, but it’s only when it starts to dim that she discovers the true power of her brilliant light. Nour has a superpower: she glows. Her light shines so bright, she feels like a star in the night sky. But when kids at school notice her glow, they’re not impressed. If she had a real superpower, they say, she could fly or turn invisible. So Nour stops feeling special. And as her light dims, her world darkens . . . until a nighttime cry from her baby sister shows her how powerful her glow can be.

The Light Within You written by Namita Moolani Mehra

Diya is excited to be going to India for Diwali, the Festival of Lights. That means she’ll get to spend time with Nani, her beloved grandma, who she hasn’t seen since her family moved from India . . . Once Diya arrives in India, she immediately feels at home with Nani. Together they go shopping at the bazaar and prepare for the festival. As Diya and Nani celebrate Diwali together, Diya’s heart soars. But all too soon, her trip will come to an end. Is there a way for Diya to take some of the light and magic of Diwali with her when she leaves?

Every Color of Light written by Hiroshi Osada

Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text depict nature darkened by a brief rainstorm then, at sunset, colors brighten, rain drips like crystals, and the bright white moon shines as we fall asleep.

Light written by Jo S. Kittinger

Light allows us to see and keeps plants alive. But did you know that it can also cut diamonds or metal, measure a moving object’s speed, and read CDs and DVDs? A True Book: Physical Science allows readers to find answers to puzzling questions as well as discover how people have used physical science to make countless innovations throughout history.

3 Super Simple Light Experiments for Kids to Do: https://handsonaswegrow.com/simple-light-experiments-for-kids/

U is for UV Light: https://inspirationlaboratories.com/u-is-for-uv-light/

How to Make a Homemade Spectroscope: https://buggyandbuddy.com/homemade-spectroscope/

Tissue paper lanterns: https://www.thecrafttrain.com/tissue-paper-lanterns/

Nightime

The Good Little Mermaid’s Guide to Bedtime written by Eija Sumner

An anti-bedtime book about a mermaid who is definitely NOT your typical mermaid!

Gray Fox in the Moonlight written and illustrated by Isaac Peterson

Gray Fox wanders alone in the forest at night. The woods are illuminated in the silvery light of the full moon and stars. She gazes around in wonder at the light in the birch grove and stops to look at her reflection in the river. But something calls to her in her reverie. She must return to her den by dawn to care for her kits when they wake. With simple poetry young children will love, Gray Fox in the Moonlight is a journey through a nighttime wonderland that celebrates the love between parents and children.

Good Night Little Bookstore written by Amy E. Cherrix

Join the Little Bookstore’s friendly staff as they draw the curtain on another busy day of browsing and matchmaking. Choose a bedtime story, say your good nights, and pet the shop’s feline mascot on your way out. Snuggle up to a loved one for a read-aloud, then drift off to sweet dreams of adventure and enchantment to come.

In the Night Garden written and illustrated by Carin Berger

A collage-illustrated bedtime read about the often mysterious and always beautiful experiences to be found in nighttime spaces.

Night in the City written and illustrated by Julie Downing

When children are fast asleep, some people are hard at work keeping the city safe and clean, and when daylight comes they go home to sleep.

The Night Frolic written by Julie Berry

Before they go to sleep, children travel on a dreamy, whimsical journey to visit the Night Tiger, the Night Walrus, the Night Elephant, and others

The Midnight Club written by Shane Goth

Milly and big sister Becca are members of the Midnight Club. And tonight is Milly’s first outing! At exactly midnight, Milly wakes her sister. With Becca leading the way, they tiptoe along the shadowy hall and down the creaky stairs. There’s so much adventure to be had in the middle of the night! They sit in Dad’s big chair, dip into his jar of jellybeans, try on Mom’s coat. One moment they’re frightened by a shadow that looks like a monster, and the next, they’re making shadow play of their own. A scratch at the back door has Milly’s heart going boom bump boom, but it’s just the president of the Midnight Club, their cat Oliver, who leads the way to more shenanigans.

As Night Falls: creatures that go wild after dark written by Donna Jo Napoli

From microscopic organisms to giant cats, it’s surprising who you’ll find awake in the middle of the night! Dinoflagellates guzzle floating bacteria, bumblebee bats loop and swoop, racer snakes slither, weasels sneak and circle, and spot-bellied eagle owls leap and sweep. One by one, the animals of the food chain find their next scrumptious treat.

Dark on Light written by Dianne White

As night falls, a trio of siblings stumble upon some of nature’s hidden nighttime beauty, including timid fawns, blossoming lavender, silent owls, and many more wonders of the night.

Nonfiction

The Night Sky written by Kathryn Hulick

his field guide highlights 100 objects that can be seen in the night sky. Readers will gain a greater understanding about how to spot these things, including constellations and objects in our solar system. Features include a helpful introduction to the topic, a glossary, additional resources, and an index.

Science Experiments: Twinkle Twinkle Stars: https://www.pinayhomeschooler.com/2015/11/simple-experiments-twinkle-twinkle-stars.html

Paint the night sky craft: https://playteachrepeat.com/invitation-paint-night-sky/

Constellation Jar Lamp: https://craft.ideas2live4.com/2015/04/24/diy-constellation-jar-lamp/

Fly, fly, fly!

Ready to Soar written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld

Riley’s paper airplane is ready for take-off, but criticisms from all the birds threaten to ground the plane, until Riley meets a more supportive friend and rediscovers the joy of soaring.

The Owl Who dared written by Stephanie Stansbie

A little owl is scared of flying, because every time he opens his wings, he tumbles to the ground. Mommy explains to him that it will take a few failures before he succeeds, and soon, the little owl feels brave enough to keep trying. An uplifting celebration of courage and learning how to handle life’s challenges.

Newton and Curie Take flight! Written and illustrated by Daniel Kirk

Curious squirrel Curie observes a baby bird flying and is eager to try too, but when everyone tells her that squirrels cannot fly, she is determined to prove them wrong by conducting her own experiments with the help of her big brother Newton.

Donut: The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly written by Laura Gehl

Donut is a unicorn with a problem: she cannot fly–so she works with all the other creatures in the field and finally accomplishes her goal.

Color the Sky written by David Elliott

A story that celebrates the many colors of birds and the wonder of first flight.

Air Miles written by Bill Salaman

Miles was a difficult dog until he got his own motor car. But now he is growing older, and new challenges are arising. He doesn’t chase balls like he used to. His legs hurt whenever he takes walks. And sometimes he doesn’t hear when Norman calls him. So, when Norman learns that Mr. Huddy’s small airplane is in need of a pilot, Miles takes to the skies.

When We Fly written and illustrated by Jess McGeachin

A father-daughter story celebrating love, loss, and healing, and one bird’s broken wing that may prove impossible to fix.

Mel Fell written and illustrated by Corey Tabor

Readers will delight in turning their book sideways and upside down to follow Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.

Sometimes, you might fall down, down, down, before you learn to fly up, up, up.

Penguin Flies Home: a flight school story written and illustrated by Lita Judge

Even though his penguin friends would rather swim, Penguin dreams of flying.

The Dog Who Wanted to Fly written by Kathy Stinson

Who says dogs can’t fly? Meet Zora: a dog with a big dream and an even bigger personality. All Zora wants to do is learn how to fly so she can catch that pesky squirrel in her yard. But try as she might to prove to her friend Tully–a skeptical cat–that dogs truly can fly, nothing seems to work. Until Zora finds the right motivation, that is.

Wings written by Cheryl B Klein

Follows a baby bird on its first flight, one that starts cautiously and ends with delight.

Nonfiction

We are starlings: inside the mesmerizing magic of a murmuration

Author: Furrow, Robert

A stunning picture book for young nature lovers about starlings and the fascinating phenomenon of murmurations.

Nonfiction

Wings: birds, bees, biplanes, and other things with wings written by Tracey Turner

Wings takes readers on a fact-packed flight over a fascinating subject. Written by Tracey Turner, it offers a bird’s-eye view of the first airplanes, the fastest jet planes, beetles, birds, winged horses, flying dragons–even winged unicorns. There’s fun, easy-to-read information on wings of all kinds, including plenty of STEM material, presented in a mixture of text and speech bubbles that’s perfect for readers aged 7 plus. With Fatti Burke’s stylish and colorful illustrations, Wings is a wonderful journey of discovery.

How to Make a Flying Bird Decoration: https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/kidscraftsactivitiesblog/2012/03/how-to-make-a-flying-bird-decoration/

Make a Flying Falcon- Paper Tube Craft and Game: https://crackofdawncrafts.blogspot.com/2011/02/make-flying-falcon-paper-tube-craft-and.html?m=1

This Is the Nest That Robin Built activities: http://www.denisefleming.com/pages/book-activities/this-is-the-nest-that-robin-built/activities.html#gsc.tab=0

Treehouses

Treehouse Town written by Gideon Sterer

A child explores the magical world of Treehouse Town–from Sap Street to Willow Way–where all children and animal inhabitants work together and have fun.

My Mommies Built a Treehouse written by Peter Gareth

A boy and his mothers build a treehouse fit for a prince.

The Tree House That Jack Built written by Bonnie Verburg

With ladders, swings, turrets, and elaborate pulley systems everywhere–animals chase one another over, under, around, and through the tree house that Jack has built. Then the bell rings, and all the animals gather for story time with Jack.

Everything You Need for a Treehouse written by Carter Higgins

A tree, timber, tools, a rope of twisted twine and all things you need to build a treehouse–but most of all you need time and imagination.

That Neighbor Kid written and illustrated by Daniel Miyares

In this nearly wordless picture book, a young girl spies on her new neighbor, a young boy who is building something from planks of the fence between their backyards.

Secret Tree Fort written by Brianne Farley

There’s a secret tree fort and you’re not invited! In this hilarious and hugely imaginative sibling story from the creator of the internationally celebrated Ike’s Incredible Ink, two sisters are told to go and play outside on a beautiful day. The little sister wants them to play together – but the big sister, instead, wants to sit under a tree with a book. So the younger sister decides to tempt her with a description of her super-cool, super-secret tree fort. Just what will it take to get her sister to look up? The promise of a water-balloon launcher in case of attack? A trapdoor to look at the stars? A crow’s nest where they can see how many whales pass by or watch for pirates? Or the very best part of all, which can’t be revealed, because it’s a secret?

The Tree: A Fable written and illustrated by Neal Layton

The tree. Home to a family of birds in their nest, squirrels in their drey and rabbits in their burrow. But what happens to the animals when a man and woman decide to cut it down and use it for their dream house? Can the tree be home to both the animals and the humans?

Flashlight Night written by Matt Forrest Esenwine

Flashlight Night is an ode to the power of imagination and the wonder of books. Three children use a flashlight to light a path around their backyard at night; in the flashlight’s beam another world looms. Our heroes encounter spooky woods, a fearsome tiger, a time-forgotten tomb, an Egyptian god, a sword-fighting pirate, and a giant squid. With ingenuity, they vanquish all, then return to their tree house–braver, closer, and wiser than before–to read the books that inspired their adventure.

The Monster Next Door written and illustrated by David Soman

In a big field, a boy has a tree house, and one day, he has a neighbor–a monster with a talent for silly dances and funny faces. The two become fast friends, even setting up a pulley line to pass notes between their tree houses. The boy knows just how to celebrate this invention–with music! But the monster’s tuba music is loud. Really loud. WAY. TOO. LOUD. Before the boy can think, he hurls a water balloon at his neighbor to get him to stop. An epic water-balloon fight ensues, until the boy–fed up, spent, done–cuts the pulley line. No more note-passing. No more monster. Can the boy and monster ever be friends again?

Flashlight Night written by Matt Forrest Esenwine

Flashlight Night is an ode to the power of imagination and the wonder of books. Three children use a flashlight to light a path around their backyard at night; in the flashlight’s beam another world looms. Our heroes encounter spooky woods, a fearsome tiger, a time-forgotten tomb, an Egyptian god, a sword-fighting pirate, and a giant squid. With ingenuity, they vanquish all, then return to their tree house–braver, closer, and wiser than before–to read the books that inspired their adventure.

Cardboard Craft Tree Houses: https://artprojectsforkids.org/cardboard-kittens/

1st Grade Tree Houses: https://dalimoustache.blogspot.com/2012/05/1st-grade-tree-houses.html

Tree House Collage: https://leahnewtonart.com/2019/06/13/tree-house-collage-art-lesson-project-for-kids/