Beacons of Light

Gail Gibbons--make note of that name, teachers and parents, for it is a name of an excellent science writer/illustrator! Only Simon Seymour with his essays and photographs is her equal. Gibbons takes a subject and--through prose and illustrations--shows the history and process. "Beacons of Light: Lighthouses" is a bit different. This book is more a celebration of lighthouses than of process. First, she illustrates four famous lighthouses set against seemingly water-sprayed end papers for a mystical effect. Next she shows how lighthouses help locate danger areas for ships, then drops back thousands of years for a quick historical recounting of those beacons of light from bonfires at the tops of hills to the bonfires in stone towers. America's first lighthouse was built on an island outside Boston harbor. Wicks, wick trimmers, kerosene lamps, prisms, loneliness, dangerous work, electricity, the Coast Guard--all are part of the history of lighthouses. Fog and anti-fog devices are also important. Do you know that the Statue of Liberty was the first electrified lighthouse or that the tallest is in Japan? Gail Gibbons is a name to know and trust. Other books in her science repertoire of over 120 titles include: The Honey Makers Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids Ice Cream: The Full Scoop Weather Forecasting The Post Office Book: Mail and How It Moves And that is just a sampling!

Being from North Carolina, it was delightful to see Cape Hatteras Light on the front end paper. Lighthouses are significant in NC and used as a unit theme by many teachers. This book shows not only lighthouses from around the country but presents the history and function of lighthouses suitable for pre-school and primary grade children. The print is large and the illustrations are concise.