Moonlight Animals

by Elizabeth Golding, Ali Lodge (Illustrator)

Do you know what happens in the forest after dark? Now you can with a touch of the magic flashlight that reveals hidden creatures! Each spread appears to be dark, but once the flashlight is pointed, brilliant wildlife illustrations magically illuminate.Readers of all ages will be amazed by this innovative paper technology—and no batteries are necessary! Every spread features a different nocturnal animal and it’s the reader’s job to locate the hidden images. To top it off, each page has an “Did you know . . .” section filled with amazing facts about nighttime creatures.

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Nonfiction

12 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2011

Reviews

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a "Lightbeam Book". That means the book's illustrations are printed on plastic, with a black background. Between the two is a paper "flashlight" containing shades of white that the reader can move around. Items highlighted by this flashlight pop out. The text is, frankly, unexciting. Five nocturnal animals are briefly highlighted. there's a paragraph or two of informative text, a couple of facts, and then 7 animals you can look for with your magic flashlight. 6 pictures are included. This will never last in a library and, frankly, kids will be prying the flashlights out. Still, it's kind of cool, and the fact that each pictures includes its own flashlight means that, even if you lose a few, you're still good. It would be a fun activity book to keep a child occupied.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interactive book, with a unique flashlight mechanism, where little ones can "shine" a light to find animals at night. Learn about animals who venture out at night when you are saying good-night.

Would also highly recommend this author's book, Moonlight Ocean.

[Lauren]

This is hands down one of the coolest children's books I've read in a while!! The interactive element of using the "flashlight" is fascinating, even for adults, and the illustrations and facts are very engaging. I would absolutely buy as a gift for any young fans of animals.

[Breonna Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moonlight Animals by Elizabeth Golding is a children's picture book that takes readers on a magical journey through the night. The story introduces a variety of nocturnal animals that come to life under the glow of the moon, each with their own special qualities and stories to share.

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat book. 2 year old really enjoyed this one.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from a toddler: “great book. I love it”

[Cristina Quattrone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cool interactive. New fave!

[Stephanie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute non-fiction book with a flashlight feature. Will have to discuss with the class how not to break it.

[Nandita Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toddler loved loved loved the images showing up from the flashlight search.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 4 out of 5]

My three year old cousin loves this book. He, of course, broke the pages within the first 15 minutes however they are still usable. The flashlights are meant to stay in each page and he pulled a few of them all the way out. I just simply slid them back in and tried to explain through his repeated questions of "why" that the flashlights would only work if they stayed in the book. Once that was settled he insisted we find every hidden animal and then immediately wanted to start over and find them all again. I consider this to be a giant leap in his thinking as I can see where it will lead to taking turns in a board game later. Thus far he has had little restraint for sequential things so seeing his patience in finding the items in order was impressive.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool non-fiction -- gives limited information on various nocturnal creatures. Each two-pace spread also includes a super cool night forest scene with a "flashlight" to reveal the animals and insects. You have to see it -- so cool! WPL staffers, we need to remember this and tag it for our srp list this summer.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Moonlight Ocean first and liked it so much that I wanted to buy a companion book. Now my son can learn fun facts about nocturnal ocean and wood animals. Since he is only six months old, I have a few years to memorize all of the information.

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not seen this "flashlight effect" interaction before in a pop up book or something like it, and they use it very well. The facts they include are pretty basic, but for a kid learning about these animals for the first time, I'm sure it has more impact.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun non-fiction. Grandson is a preschooler and he loves it.