Luminous
Living Things That Light Up the Night
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
In this “surprisingly simple yet mesmerizing introduction to a wonder of the natural world” (Kirkus STARRED Review), kids aged 4 to 8 will marvel at the science of bioluminescence through stunning images of glowing creatures and other organisms.
When it’s dark out, we need light to see. But what if your body could make its own light?
From acclaimed author-illustrator Julia Kuo comes a remarkable picture book about bioluminescence, the light made from living things, and its many forms: fireflies and foxfire, fungi and glow-worms, deep-sea fish and vampire squids.
Kuo’s radiant art portrays a young child and adult discovering different bioluminescent creatures, accompanied by simple lyrical text and informative sidebars that reveal fascinating scientific facts about each of them.
An introduction to an extraordinary natural phenomenon, Luminous shines a light upon how truly wondrous the world is.
Luminous features:
Brilliant and unique illustrations: The depiction of vibrant bioluminescent species against an unusual black backdrop creates an unforgettable visual experience for readers.The science of bioluminescence: Shares the real-life magic of bioluminescence with sidebars about the various places and species in which bioluminescence is found.Text can be read on two levels: Kuo’s simple and poetic narrative is accompanied by scientific facts about bioluminescence.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Saturated turquoise and vermilion figures pop off velvety black and blue backgrounds in this beguiling introduction to bioluminescent creatures. As a child and adult with tan skin and dark hair walk through the inky night with a flashlight, Kuo (Let's Do Everything and Nothing) defines light as "a kind of energy that our eyes can see." A page turn reveals foliage filled with tiny, brilliant points of light flashing in the dark—fireflies. "But what if your body could make its own light?" the text reads, in comparatively large type that conveys the book's through line. Sections rendered in smaller type offer technical information ("Bioluminescent creatures make the light through special chemical reactions inside their bodies"), and describe the utility of bioluminescence, which can "dazzle the deepest ocean depths," in the case of the deep-sea anglerfish, or, like the vampire squid, "startle and distract your enemies." Breathtaking spreads introduce foxfire, glowworms, and more as incandescent lines trace the filaments and tentacles of the sea creatures that live in the ocean depths where much bioluminescent life is found. It's a revealing book whose visual appeal, like bioluminescence itself, lures unsuspecting readers in. Ages 4–8.
