This Little Light of Mine

by E.B. Lewis

There is a light inside of

YOU.

Let it shine,

let it shine,

let it shine!

"This Little Light of Mine" is an African-American spiritual dating back to the days of slavery. The score is included in this book so that you can learn to play and sing and shine your light for everyone to see.

Genres: Music, Picture Books, Childrens, Folklore, Family, Friendship, African American

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

E.B. Lewis has illustrated more than thirty books for children, including Nikki Grimes' Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman, the 2003 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner; Alice Schertle's Down the Road, an ALA Notable Book; Tolowa M. Mollel's My Rows and Piles of Coins, an ALA Notable Book and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book; Bat Boy and His Violin by Garvin Curtis a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and Jacqueline Woodson's The Other Side, a 2002 Notable Book for the Language Arts.

Inspired by two artist uncles, as early as the third grade, Lewis displayed artistic promise. Beginning in the sixth grade, he attended the Saturday morning Temple University School of Art League and studied with Clarence Wood. Lewis attended the Temple University Tyler School of Art. There, he discovered his medium of preference was watercolor.

During his four years at Temple, Lewis majored in Graphic Design and Illustration and art education. After graduating, he taught art in public schools for twelve years. Presently, Lewis teaches at the University of Arts in Philadelphia, continues to paint and illustrate and is a member of The Society of Illustrators in New York City.

In 1992, Elizabeth O’Grady read a story about Lewis and saw examples of his wonderful watercolors in Artist Magazine. Previously, at a Society of Illustrators Annual Children’s Art Show, an art director from Simon & Schuster had asked Elizabeth to contact her if Elizabeth found any talented Afro-American artists who might want to illustrate children’s books. Elizabeth handed the magazine article about Lewis to her partner, Jeff Dwyer. He telephoned and explained the business of children’s book illustration to a quiet Earl B. Lewis. Lewis asked Jeff the names of other African-American children’s book illustrators, and after Jeff gave him the names of the “usual suspects,” Lewis told Jeff that he’d get back in touch with him if he was interested in pursuing children’s book illustration. About a week later, Lewis called and said, “Hey, I can paint better than those guys!” Within a year, Lewis had delivered his illustrations for Fire On The Mountain (S&S), quit his teaching job and began a career as a full-time children’s book illustrator.

In 2003, the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota purchased a collection of original watercolors from Lewis’ first twenty-five children’s books. His work is owned by numerous private collectors and sold by art galleries throughout the United States.

Reviews

[Lauren Mulholland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's book sets the traditional Spiritual, "This Little Light of Mine" to lovely illustrations. In diverse classrooms, readers and listeners can see a main character who is African American and may look more like themselves. The boy in the story spreads his happiness throughout his home and community, and is able to help a neighbor who dropped their groceries, and helps a lonely child make friends. This book facilitates classroom conversation surrounding helping others and spreading kindness--a great conversation starter about ways to spread kindness in school and in the students' community.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a FANTASTIC read (or sing!) aloud for children of all ages. I used it in my toddler storytime - we sang and waved scarves - but this book would also work really well for a preschool storytime or K-1 unit on kindness because of the rich, detailed illustrations. The illustrations tell a story behind the song - a child choosing not to "hide his light under a bushel" by doing kind acts for senior citizens and welcoming a sad boy into his friend group. The warm tones of the illustrations and realistic depiction of daily life make the book a versatile addition for library programs or a fun one-on-one read, with lots of room for discussion.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Little Light of Mine (Hardcover)
by E.B. Lewis (Illustrations)
Used in music class to celebrate black (african american) influences on art and culture, this spiritual song teaches about letting the good things in you shine out and become a beacon for others. Never hide the good things you do. Talked to the kids about the good deeds from large and small and how we need to bring them out

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day in the life of a young boy told through the gorgeous watercolor paintings of E.B. Lewis paired with the lyrics to 'This Little Light of Mine'. Very sweet, the reader is filled with a sense of joy at watching the smiling boy interact with family, friends, and a tight knit community.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrics of this spiritual are paired with illustrartions from a boys day filled with helping others in small, powerful ways.

Used with chapter 4 of CCD unit, letting the light of God's love shine through us in what we do and how we help others and bring love and joy to others.

[Henessy Tolliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I strongly believe this is a reading children will find easy, fun, and rememberable. This book engages children to learn some of the lyrics to the song, This Little Light of Mine.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely sing-along picture book. If this song was in my range, I would use it in a story time.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great celebration and ode to African American culture.

The book starts with a little boy in a home who goes out for the day and "shines his light" on those he meets. He hugs his mom when he wakes up in the morning, he helps an old lady with her groceries, he greets the men outside on the storefront, and he invites a boy who looks sad to play basketball with his friends. The book shows how light is not hidden. It also teaches children what they should do around the community if they do not want to hide their light and their God given ability to serve and help others. The application of not hiding your light is clearly illustrated in this book of song illustration by E.B. Lewis.

I love the realistic pictures and relatable situations pained for the song. This book is truly representative of a southern or black community. The people in real life, in these communities, do act like this. The old men sit outside on the porch front watching over the neighborhood and chatting. The young children play basketball in the street. The families cook large meals that often take all day to prepare. I appreciate not only the realism and relatability of this book, but also that the integrity of the song is held in place by using a boy in a black community as the stars of the book instead of a different race, since the song is rooted from slavery.

A teaching idea would be to have students go home and for one week observe others in need. Challenge them to let their light shine by doing service for other people. After they have done this service, have them write down what they felt about doing the act. How have they grown? What have they learned? How could they do this for more than just one week as an assignment? Creatively challenge them to step out in their community to bring people closer together and spread happiness.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memorable watercolor illustrations bring new meaning to the lyrics of a familiar African-American spiritual in this picture book. Every page shows a young boy embarking on his day, determined to make the best of it, and to let the light that is within him shine in every way. Readers will make note of the various ways he accomplishes this, by hugging his grandmother, greeting neighbors, helping an elderly woman pick up her groceries, strewn along the sidewalk, even befriending a boy left out of a basketball game, truly shedding his light everywhere he goes. This depiction of how quickly positive attitudes can influence others, seemingly turning around their days and making them not just bearable but joyful, is a great title to share with others as a reminder of how influential every action we take is. Letting our lights shine in the world and trying to be the best individuals we can be is surely preferable to giving in to our depressed, cruel sides. As I regarded the book's images and took in its message, the book brought to mind the small community of Tallulah, Louisiana, where I lived for a short time. The neighborhood depicted, with its greenery and small, slightly shabby dwellings that hid warm hearts within, seems drawn from actual experiences. Readers may appreciate having the musical score included so that they can sing and play it for themselves while contemplated its importance in history as well as the new meaning this book has brought to it.

[Dana Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book with the words of the familiar African/American. Spiritual. The smiling yellow-shirted boy carries his Light through his everyday activities. E. B. Lewis is a highly acclaimed illustrator of more than 30 picture books. I agree with the jacket cover. This illustrator "shines his light to the world through his artwork." I like the arrangement of the score included in the book. In the key of G and chorded makes it easy to play and sing. Yes, believe in the light inside of Y O U !

[Krista Toomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great way for kids to understand the spirit the African Americans had. I am still in shock how much hope they had when they were in slavery and this songs is a song of hope. I also think this book has a valuable lesson teaching and saying that each one of us is important and to to let our light shine. This is important for kids to understand because a lot of kids have a confidence problem but this book and song can give them hope. It is also a fun song to sing in a round.

[Ashley Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's book beautifully illustrates the idea of what is is to be a light to another person. Though this story is simply the lyrics to the song "This Little Light of Mine," the illustrations show the main character doing what the lyrics state, such as helping a woman with groceries and being a light in that way.

[Nancy Mosqueda]

E.B Lewis, created a book that shows us its meaning everytime in the images, in the faces of the characters. One only has to look into the boys' eyes and see that the light that shines there most definately will not stop shining. Not only that, but it will also make many more lights shine. This story is one of perseverence, strength and happiness, all of which can be seen in the images.

[Olivia Kirkham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the art work in this book. Very beautiful and the story they told through the pictures are touching and they go along perfectly with the song, "This Little Light of Mine." It encourages serving others and being a light to people no matter where you go and to always believe in yourself. Cute story.

[Ryan Fenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. It had a powerful message of being a bright light to others. It teaches children to help others and does so in a great way through examples. The way that the art and illustration is done goes along great with the story as well. Great book that I would definitely read as a teacher.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable. I have always loved this song. It is a fun song to sing to kids, and it gives them a great message that they can shine happiness. They can be a ray of sunshine to others and to themselves. As I read this book, not only did I love the song and the message, I love the story that they show through the artwork. It was really touching. Overall, I rate this book a 5/5!

[Rachael Bingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE the illustrations in this book. It helped my students learn to get more out of the text by paying attention to the pictures. It teaches a beautiful lesson about be a shining light to the world. And, I am able to teach church lessons in a public school setting without explicitly talking about my faith.

[Ali Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book teachers can use to implement critical pedagogy with in to their classrooms. This book breaks down the stereotypes society has put on a certain culture while also giving the audience encouragement and hope through the "light" of a little boy. Anyone and everyone is capable of doing something great, you just have to be confident and take action!

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* art
5* song

This is honestly one of the most beautiful children's books ever. The boy looking at himself in the mirror, smiling - with that light inside him shining clear. His many ways of spreading it around - the sad boy he befriends - beautiful, all beautiful. And Squirt knows exactly what it means. It's wonderful to be able to talk with him about it - and sing. Highly recommended.

[Ashley Travers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a great supporting text to talking about slavery, but I wouldn't use it to start a slavery unit. It would be great to use if music is being incorporated. I enjoyed looking at the illustrations as I sang the song.

[Mackenzie Raatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book and song that students may not be familiar with. It is an inspiring book about letting your light shine. It shows how we are different and unique. We have gifts that should shine!

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Its a really cool to see African American culture from the perspective of this wonderful song. I would recommend this book to anyone because it teaches great values that everyone needs to know.

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cute. I liked the illustrations and I thought that they worked really well with the song. It is also a really cute, and accurate, and nice, way to show kids how they can be a good example to others in real-life ways.

[Robert J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Little Light of Mine is based on the African-American spiritual put into picture book form. The pictures work in combination with the song to inspire. The end of the book includes the songs score.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely story of a boy being kind to those around him is essentially told wordlessly as it conveys so much above and beyond the simple text of the song. The watercolor illustrations from E.B. Lewis are as beautiful as always!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children love this song and will have lots to say about the pictures in the book of how we can help one another

[Amy Eikenberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that can be used encourage students to press forward even in difficult situations. The song that goes with the words is a great way to engage students!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations by E.B. Lewis bring new life to that sweet spiritual that so many of us learned as children.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly illustrated version of the gospel song. A great song to sing in storytime as it encourages participation and most kids know this song.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and had the song stuck in my head afterwards. I would use this book to teach integrity, service, and kindness. The artwork is done in a watercolor style.