Blink and Glow

by Raven Howell, Ann Pilicer (illustrator)

Award-winning author Raven Howell's newest story will help young readers to appreciate wildlife and the natural environment.

Lilly and Leo think it's super to catch fireflies and salamanders—and even more exciting, as they plan to bring their glowing nature finds to show-and-tell the next day. That is until Grandma's wisdom guides the children and teaches them respect for the freedom and light of the natural life surrounding us.

"Illustrated beautifully by Ann Pilicer, Blink and Glow reminds young readers that being curious about nature is natural. However, the book also cautions them to be responsible and respect it. Children are shown that they can appreciate nature without interfering with it. Raven Howell highlights why removing creatures from their natural environment can be harmful, even if it only seems like innocent fun. "—Reader's Favorite 5-Star Review

Genres: Childrens

Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2024

About the author

Raven is an award winning author and poet of several picture books. She also writes for magazines such as Highlights for Children, Ladybug, Cricket, and Hello. Raven is an author and Poetry Director with Story Monsters Press and writes a monthly kid lit column, THE BOOK BUG, for Story Monsters Ink magazine. Raven is a contributing author for Reading is Fundamental (SOCAL).

Her work is published in anthologies, in DVD and CD format, in educational material, and home schooling programs. Raven has won several awards including Excellence in Children's Literature, A Golden Box Books, NABE's Pinnacle, SCBWI Magazine Merit, and Mom's Choice Award. She remains active with charity work, and presenting children's workshops for elementary classes and in libraries. Raven is a member of the SCBWI and ILA and serves as Creative and Publishing Advisor for RedClover Reader.

Strolling the beach, music, reading, spring flowers, a warm wood stove, and straight-out-of-the-oven butterscotch chocolate chip cookies inspire many of her poems and stories.

Reviews

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A sweet picture book about appreciating nature and its creatures. Good story, lovely illustrations, important message. Recommended.

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Plot Preview:

Leo and Lilly love chasing fireflies and salamanders in their backyard. They even manage to capture one of each in a glass jar to take it to school for show-and-tell. However, when they show their treasures to Grandma, she wisely guides them towards doing what is right for the creatures, and even shows them a way they can take a ‘firefly’ and a ‘salamander’ to show-and-tell.

When I read the start of the story and saw the kids happily capturing those lovely creatures in glass jars, my heart began to sink. This wasn’t at all an activity I could advocate! Just as I was wondering how I would review this book politely, Grandma came to the rescue. 😍

The picture book offers quite a few beautiful messages. Listening to the advice of the more experienced adults, respecting Mother Nature, taking care of other creatures and their needs, using your creativity for show-and-tell – all are valuable lessons for littlies to have. I also love how the two children in the story were shown playing in nature and later, channelling their imagination in their school project instead of sitting in front of screen or Googling for instant solutions.

The plot provides a nice way of letting kids understand that natural creatures are better off in nature. At the same time, the manner in which Grandma conveyed the message was a bit too subtle for my liking. I wish there had been a little more information on the harm caused to innocent captured creatures.

The story is written in simple text with vocabulary suitable to kiddos between 4-8 years of age. The page layout is used optimally, with each page containing not more than 1-2 sentences.

The illustrations are created digitally but they looks as beautiful as a painting. There is a little dog on almost every page. (You can see it on the gorgeous cover as well.) This dog isn’t an active part of the story but it sure brightened up the pages with its expressions.

There is an interesting craft activity at the end of making a firefly sun catcher, with easily available craft items. But there should have been a note warning kids to be careful with the scissors.

Overall, this is a really sweet picture book that offers fun as well as a valuable lesson to its little readers.

4 stars.


My thanks to WOW! Women On Writing and author Raven Howell for a complimentary copy of 'Blink and Glow'. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.


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[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo and Lilly love to chase fireflies and spend time at the pond. Leo catches a firefly in a jar to take to school. Lilly catches a salamander. As their lights begin to fade both Leo and Lilly soon learn that nature is more beautiful when it is free.
 
Blink and Glow is a delightful children's picture book that is fun to read and also teaches the importance of respecting and caring for nature.
Bugs and insects may be pretty but they need to stay in their natural environment to lead a happy life.
 
After the children free the salamander and firefly Grandma shows them how to make a craft salamander and firefly sun catcher.

This book also has all the details so you can do the crafts with your children.
 
With beautiful double page colour illustrations and only a couple of sentences to each page Blink and Glow is the perfect bedtime read. 

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children who love nature will find themselves under a dark night sky with glowing creatures: A firefly, a salamander, and a lunar moth. The kids capture two and place them in jars, but their wise grandma encourages the children to set them free. Glorious!

[Claudio Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blink and Glow tells of the adventures of Leo and Lilly, two siblings whose playtime soon turned to be a valuable lesson. It is a short story, written by Raven Howell and Ann Pilicer, mainly for kids. The book consists of 17 pages, carefully and expertly illustrated to ensure visual enticement. Blink and Glow is not just entertaining, but also holds insight for potential young readers. The way Raven demonstrated simplicity in her choice of words makes the book all the more suitable for her target audience.
Just when I thought I had seen it all, I noticed an extra page that contains an engaging activity for kids. This activity which involves participation would in no little way stir up anticipation in children, making them eager to know the contents of the book, and thereby keeping them occupied and happy.
Blink and Glow would make for an excellent fun time story, and would serve equally well as a bedtime story. I loved it!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blink and Glow is a super sweet book for young readers who love nature and have the curiosity to explore it. 

Leo and Lilly are two curious kids who enjoy chasing beautiful creatures around their backyard. They are dazzled by the sparkling fireflies and the glowing salamanders, and end up catching some, wanting to bring them to school for show and tell.

As they observe their captured critters, they see their lights begin to fade. Grandma helps the kids understand that these creatures need to be free to shine their brightest light. Then, Grandma shows them how to make beautiful crafts to represent their captured shiny friends to show at school instead.

Perhaps more beautiful than the message are the illustrations. These bright, vivid, and gorgeously done illustrations bring the book to life. The friends are diverse and well drawn - down to the detail of their hair. The glowing creatures are absolutely stunning. I don't know that I've ever seen a luna moth in real life but after the illustration I really want to find one.

I also love how the book includes instructions for young readers to also do the craft described.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I just want to say that we loved the cover and the title of Blink and Glow and how it fit so well with the story. The illustrations are bright, colourful and eye catching. Everything stood out and didn’t get lost. Secondly, the actual moral to the story is one we really appreciate as being avid animal lovers. It’s always fun to catch and investigate animals/ insects but you always want to let them go as they are wild animals and don’t want to be captured. Blink and Glow had the right amount of pages and information. It held my 6 year olds attention. And we would absolutely recommend this read to others.


A big thank you to Tielmour Press for sending a review copy our way.

[Tielmour Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH A GREAT BOOK!

Loved the illustrations and the message of caring for everything in nature. Great topic for children to learn, given the state of the world.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story!! As a Grandma that lives to read to her granddaughters, I try to find book with Grandma characters 😊. Wonderful illustrations and easy to read for small children, with a kind message. I won this book through Goodreads Giveaway 🙌THANK YOU!

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blink And Glow is a phenomenal, enchanting, charming, gorgeous, and environmentally educational read! I absolutely love the strong messaging in this book. Properly taking care of nature starts out with simple things. Teaching children to allow animals to freely roam in their natural habit is a wonderful start raising to environmental consciousness. This book beautifully addresses this while still capturing the wonder of exploring nature.

Leo and Lilly are thrilled to explore nature together. They capture a firefly and salamander for show and tell tomorrow. Their grandmother offers some sage wisdom which leave the children with a choice. After they decide whether to let the creatures free or not their grandmother creates fun crafts with them to remind them of the firefly and salamander. The children agree to take the crafts to show and tell where they will share with the class all they have learned.

A few things I love about this book include the following! The messaging is incredibly relatable.....who hasn't caught small creatures as a child? The illustrations are stunning! They highlight how wonderous and magical nature can be. The lesson is taught in a heartwarming thought-provoking way. Instead of being told what to do the children are allowed to choose. There are instructions for the craft in the back of the book!

#gifted #ad #partner thank you to @tielmourpress for the review copy!

[Avira N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two siblings learn important lessons about environmental stewardship in Howell’s entertaining and fun picture book.  Lilly and Leo delight in chasing after fireflies and salamanders, their jars overflowing with captured treasures. They are excited to show off their glowing finds at school the next day, but as the night goes on, both the firefly and salamander start to lose their glow. Grandma knows she has to step in. What happens next?  

Howell’s engaging and child-friendly prose effortlessly balances entertainment with education. The narrative draws young readers into the delightful adventures of Lilly and Leo, using simple yet captivating language that holds their attention. Through their journey to capture fireflies and salamanders, the story subtly imparts important lessons about the value of respecting nature. Ann Pillicer’s dynamic and colorful illustrations vividly animate the story.

Additionally, the book includes a hands-on craft activity that invites children to create their own firefly sun catchers, an interactive element that allows children to engage with the book’s themes in a creative way, extending the learning experience beyond the page.

A sweet and charming story that entertains and enlightens, encouraging a genuine love and understanding of the natural world. 

[Stacey Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blink and Glow by Raven Howell and delightfully illustrated by Ann Pilicer is a picture book children will want to read again and again. As a child, I raced around my backyard catching fireflies, as did my little ones. Howell captures the magic in this activity as young Lilly and Leo lovingly put a firefly and then a salamander in jars to take to show-and-tell at school the next day. When Grandma comes out to the porch swing and teaches them a lesson about respecting the natural world around them, the children release their new friends and engage in a different fun activity for show-and-tell. I love that young readers see a wonderful example of respecting the wisdom of their elders in this story as Lilly and Leo heed their Grandma’s advice with joyful attitudes. This book is perfect for story time, and as a homeschool mom, I appreciate how beautifully it could be incorporated into a science curriculum. There is also a simple, fun craft activity children will love at the end, and I highly recommend it!

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howell captures the magic of childhood wonder with a sibling pair’s adventure of catching fireflies and salamanders in her endearing picture book. The story follows Lilly and Leo as they eagerly collect their finds in jars, but it takes a thoughtful turn when Grandma imparts a lesson on respecting nature.

Howell’s writing, crafted with young readers in mind, masterfully intertwines enjoyment with crucial lessons on environmental care. The narrative is not only engaging but also educational, imparting important messages about respecting nature.

The text’s ideas are thoughtfully developed, providing a deep and nuanced understanding of the natural world. Howell insightfully explores the notion that wildlife needs freedom to truly flourish, presenting a compelling perspective on the importance of preserving natural habitats.

Ann Pillicer’s dynamic and colorful illustrations vividly animate the story, while an interactive craft activity allows children to engage directly with the unfolding tale. A beautifully illustrated story that celebrates nature.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo and Lilly are two young children doing that beloved summer nighttime activity - catching fireflies! Leo catches a firefly in his jar, while Lilly finds a salamander for hers. Both are excited to show them to their friends the next day at school. Their grandmother, however, reminds them that the creatures need to be free to shine their brightest. Although maybe disappointing, the children know that releasing the firefly and salamander will be what's best for them, and they make some crafts inspired by their finds that they can show off instead.

I loved how this book combined a summer activity that I enjoyed as a kid (looking for fireflies) with a great message about appreciating and respecting the environment and all living creatures. It felt both nostalgic and modern. I also appreciated the way the grandmother used the luna moth as an example of how living creatures need to be free, instead of just ordering the children to release the firefly and salamander. It allowed Leo and Lilly to make the decision for themselves and feel good about it.

My son loved the bright, whimsical illustrations, and although he might be a tad too young to fully appreciate the moral of the story, this is one we can continue to enjoy as he gets older. At the end of the book are instructions for recreating the craft that Leo and Lilly put together, a firefly suncatcher, and I thought this was a great addition.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The section about Leo and Lily catching fireflies and salamanders was exciting but I liked how it was balanced with a quieter, "let's think about things" portion that could lead to conversations about nature. Leo and Lily were guided by a grandma, not a mom or dad. A great choice since about 6.7 million people are living with their grandchildren. There was even a related art project at the end. This is a book that can occupy your child all day long: reading the book, talking about nature, making an art project and finally, searching out fireflies. And, before I forget: the illustrations are amazing. Despite the action taking place at night, illustrator Ann Pilicer uses brilliant colors and images that will grab the attention of young readers.

[Joyffree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully bright illustrations that brought the story to life
A well-written tale, that the children easily followed which
taught the importance of respecting nature and its creatures

My granddaughter had me read this multiple times in a sitting
She loved pointing out the vibrant images in the pictures
Despite her age (4), the story was written in a way that she
easily understood what was happening

A treasure to add to any children's book collection
One that will be re-read many times

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blink and Glow is a charming book filled with bright, beautiful pictures and important thoughts about respecting wildlife and nature. I especially appreciate that the children, Leo and Lilly, are wisely guided rather than forced to make their choices. Also, there’s a fun craft at the end of the story!

[Marianne Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute book with full colorful pages that kids will love looking at and pointing out interesting things. The story has a good message about catching and keeping wild critters, and suggests a better and fun alternative. There’s instructions on the last couple pages for doing a craft project worthy of ‘show-and-tell’.
Good book for little kiddos that like nature.

[Lauren Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this beautiful book! It is a sweet story about siblings learning to care for nature. Back matter includes a fun craft. The gorgeous illustrations almost have a Van Gogh-like appearance, especially when depicting fireflies. It's a wonderful book!

[Jo Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and the illustrations so much! I look forward to sharing this book with my grandchildren 💕

Thank you so very much for this #goodreadsgiveaway!

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kind, thoughtful message is depicted in lovely jewel-hued and summery illustrations.

Blink and Glow is a lovely new children’s picture book by award-winning author Raven Howell, and it is perfect for the upcoming summer season and the close of the school year. Its gentle and kind message is beautifully rendered in the evocative, jewel-hued illustrations of artist Ann Pilicer.

The story features young siblings Leo and Lilly, who, watching the fireflies and salamanders in their early summer backyard, decide to catch and take some to show-and-tell at school. However, once the creatures are captured in jars, their intriguing blinks and glow begin to dim and fade. Grandmother steps in with gentle insight and offers alternatives to keeping these living beings away from their natural environment and families. The instructions for these fun craft ideas are included in the story’s resolution.

BLINK AND GLOW is perfect for sharing at home, school, and after-school programs as a jumping-off point for a fun craft activity.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.