Perfect Picture Book Friday-Light Up The Night

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

Yea! Perfect Picture Book Friday is back! And I am very excited about the first book I chose to review for this fall.

Light Up The Night

Written by Jean Reidy

Illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Hyperion Book  2011

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Space, Adventure, Bedtime

Synopsis: (from Goodreads) As he’s settling down for bed, a young boy embarks on an adventure—to the stars, around his planet, across the country, down his street and right back to bed—all in his imagination, without ever leaving the comfort and security of his room.

Opening Lines:
This is my universe.
These are my galaxy stars so bright—
they light up the heavens late at night
in my own little piece of the universe.
These are the planets that circle the sun,
which hides its face when the day is done,
while stars glow bright
and light up the night,
in my own little piece of the universe.

Resources: Teacher’s Guide from Jean Reidy’s website. This is an excellent resource with many activities relating to Light Up the Night.

Why I Like This Book: Light Up the Night is magically imaginative, and at the same time, it is educational. When I taught school, the second grade curriculum included the concept of my city/town, my state, my country, my continent, etc. This is an extremely  hard concept for students to comprehend. When I read this book, I wanted to jump up and down at Jean Reidy‘s genius of bringing the concept to life. I immediately shared it with the teachers I taught with. Here you have a cumulative verse written in the style of This is the House That Jack Built, that rhymes perfectly and draws the reader into the boy’s universe in a personalized “Google earth” sort of way! His cozy red and white quilt becomes all modes of transportation as the boy journeys in his own little piece of the universe. The illustrations by Margaret Chodos-Irvine are out-of-this-world perfect for the text. Just look at the cover and prepare to be wowed even further as you linger on each spread taking in her artwork.

Susanna Leonard Hill features Perfect Picture Book Friday on her blog. This is a wonderful resource if you are wondering what books to give as gifts, needing material for a lesson, and mainly just perfect for those who love to read picture books. Here is a list of books by category. This is very handy for finding books for lessons in the classroom, or for finding books on a particular topic to discuss with your children at home. Each book listed has a link to a review and information about that book. There is also an alphabetical list.

34 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday-Light Up The Night”

  2. Thanks, Penny…this looks like a great book! Love the “house that jack built” type verse…and so will the kids who listen to it. 🙂 It’s great when we can provide kids with entertaining books that also teach lessons and open the world (or the galaxy) to them.

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      1. Penny…how do we arrange our time so that we have enough? I am always overwhelmed with everything that I need (or think I need) to do…and then I am always taking on more. 😦 And trying to visit the dozens of blogs, like yours, that I love reading and following…and finding time to actually write PB;s. If you know the answer, PLEASE share. 🙂

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        1. I only wish I knew. Sometimes I say to myself, “Penny, do you want to be known for your social media presence or do you want to be known for your writing?”
          And I know the answer is we have to do some of both. I feel badly when I realize I haven’t visited someone’s blog lately!!! It is overwhelming. I wish I knew an answer to give you, Vivian. Maybe it helps to know that others are dealing with this, too, and understand if you miss their blog along the way 🙂 That’s what I tell myself!

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          1. Thank you so much, Penny! Yes, it does ease my mind…I notice that so many people answer IMMEDIATELY…when I send a message online…I think having a phone I could do texting on would help…and then I think…no, it will just mean I am social media-ing ALL the time. 🙂

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  3. Penny, I have a this one in my library pile. I’m taking a revision class taught by Reidy at an upcoming regional SCBWI conference. So, I wanted to familiarize myself with her fun books. I love the blanket!

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  6. This sounds lovely, Penny! I haven’t read it yet, but am familiar with Jean, her light up the night project, and some of her other books, so I’m sure it’s great. I’ve got my library list next to the computer as I read through the PPBs 🙂

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  9. I saw this book at the library, but didn’t check it out. I’m not familiar with the author. Wished I had as it sounds excellent. I love when imagination and educational meet. Sounds inspiring. Will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Yes, Patricia…do check it out. I imagine you will love it. I have it checked out now and don’t want to take it back. I am thinking I need to purchase it!!! My list of books I want to own is sooooo long! I wonder how Santa would feel about getting that list in the mail come December!!! I still believe 🙂

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  10. I love it when authors educate in a way that is completely child-friendly, fun and not didactic! Jean Ready really achieves it with this book.

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  14. I have a second grader in my house, Penny, and can quite imagine her getting totally wowed by this one! Will try and grab a copy at the school library. Thanks for sharing this one.

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