Isabel and the Invisible World

by Alan Lightman

Renowned physicist Alan Lightman, author of Ada and the Galaxies, turns his focus to light waves in a second story for children.

There’s only one gift Isabel wants for her sixth birthday: a way to see invisible things. She can hardly think of anything else! Finally, the day of her party arrives. Unwrapping a big box, Isabel finds a surprise inside—a glass prism—and a dazzling world of previously invisible color emerges, lighting up the room around her. What else could be out there, waiting for her eyes to discover? In simple, engaging language, complemented by luminous artwork from best-selling illustrator Ramona Kaulitzki, author and physicist Alan Lightman unveils the hidden world of light waves—the ones you can see and the ones you can’t. Back matter delves briefly into the subject of wavelengths, radio waves, and X-rays for readers curious to know more.

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Childrens, Stem, Nonfiction

40 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2024

About the author

Alan Lightman is an American writer, physicist, and social entrepreneur. Born in 1948, he was educated at Princeton and at the California Institute of Technology, where he received a PhD in theoretical physics. He has received five honorary doctoral degrees. Lightman has served on the faculties of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was the first person at MIT to receive dual faculty appointments in science and in the humanities. He is currently professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT. His scientific research in astrophysics has concerned
black holes, relativity theory, radiative processes, and the dynamics of systems of stars. His essays and articles have appeared in the Atlantic, Granta, Harper’s, the New Yorker, the New York Review of Books, Salon, and many other publications. His essays are often chosen by the New York Times as among the best essays of the year. He is the author of 6 novels, several collections of essays, a memoir, and a book-length narrative poem, as well as several books on science. His novel Einstein’s Dreams was an international bestseller and has been the basis for dozens of independent theatrical and musical adaptations around the world. His novel The Diagnosis was a finalist for the National Book Award. His most recent books are The Accidental Universe, which was chosen by Brain Pickings as one of the 10 best books of 2014, his memoir Screening Room, which was chosen by the Washington Post as one of the best books of the year for 2016,
and Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine (2018), an extended meditation on science and religion – which was the basis for an essay
on PBS Newshour. Lightman is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is also the founder of the Harpswell Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to advance a new generation of women leaders in Southeast Asia.” He has received the gold medal for humanitarian service from the government of Cambodia.

Reviews

[Sarah BT]

The story is so-so, but it has a nice STEM tie-in and could work well for young elementary groups when talking about light and prisms.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabel has always taken an interest in things that can't be seen, like the time her friend said she had an invisible pet rabbit. Her birthday is coming up and her parents are trying to figure out what to get her, but she can only think of one thing she wants. To see the invisible. So, her parents put their heads together and come up with a great idea. They surprise her with a prism that allows her to see all of the different colors surrounding us. Over the moon, Isabel feels like her wish has been answered.

ISABEL AND THE INVISIBLE WORLD delves into the minds of children and how their curiosity grows and grows. In the back of the book, the author goes into more detail about the light rays around us and how they're invisible to the naked eye. Inventions like prisms help people see them but it's crazy to think they're always there. The illustrations are cute and full of color thanks to the prism. After reading this book, my daughter wants one.


Final Verdict: This picture book will spark a child's curiosity and maybe even build their interest in science and the world around us. I would recommend it to children who enjoy learning or have a vivid imagination because this book will help it grow.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet picture book story that celebrates curiosity and neatly ties in scientific learning for young children. Isabel's one birthday request for her parents is that she wants to see invisible things. Her mom decides to get her a prism and teach her (and the reader) a little about the electromagnetic spectrum. The learning in the book is done in an age-appropriate way, contained nicely in the narrative, and there is a page of endnotes with further explanation if children are interested.

I think the illustrations have a nice tone to them and pair well with the narrative--there are lots of pages where diffuse light is streaming through a window, for example, hinting at the "invisible world."

For more notable 2023 nature-based books for children visit my blog:
https://thesilvanreverie.com/2023/04/...

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Candlewick. Opinions are my own.

[Vera Godley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book that children (especially those whose birthday is approaching) will enjoy. As I read the book it seems to me that the main focus is the child's approaching birthday and activities leading up to it and their preparations for the big day. This says to me that the family really makes a "big deal" out of birthdays.

The invisible world that is presented via the child's gift from her mother is the possibility to see the variety of colors produced by light going through a prism that was gifted the child. Once the child opened the gift and the light streamed through showing colors, the book seemed to just end. It rather left matters flat for an ending. There is a back page explaining more about light flowing through a prism for those children interested.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabel’s birthday is coming up, but she doesn’t want a bike or a toy castle – Isabel wants to see invisible things. Luckily, Isabel’s mom is a scientist and she has just the solution: a prism. Isabel’s mom explains how the prism separates the colors in light. She also explains other invisible things. An author’s note expands on the science of light.

Illustrations narrate the actions of the text but do not significantly add to or extend the story. Overall, the story seems designed specifically to explain the science. Almost all of the lead-up to the introduction of the prism feels unnecessary. An interesting topic to cover in a children’s book, but it could have been approached more effectively.

3 STARS - ADDITIONAL SELECTION:
This book could be a helpful introduction to the science of light but other books that focus more directly on the subject may be better choices.

Thank you to the publisher who provided a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

[Bookish Mama Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabel and the Invisible World by Alan Lightman and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki is a beautifully illustrated and imaginative children's book that takes readers on a journey through a world that is invisible to the naked eye. The illustrations are breathtakingly intricate and capture the essence of Lightman's imaginative world. While the story is slow-paced, it's filled with themes of curiosity, imagination, and self-belief that will resonate with young readers. Overall, Isabel and the Invisible World is a well-crafted children's book that is worth reading, although it may not be as engaging or exciting as some other children's books. With a rating of 3.75 stars, it's a solid choice for parents looking for a more contemplative and imaginative story to share with their kids.

Thank you to Candlewick Press for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet book is great for young children and science lovers. Isabel is interested in invisible things and is gifted the perfect item from her parents: a prism where she can explore light that was once invisible. I read it to my toddler, who enjoyed it for the colors and characters. Older children would love it for the science exploration. I personally am gifting it to our art teacher who can use it when they explore colors.

[Rita H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this picture book from the library to read with my 3-year old, and the concept of light and prism as presented in this book piqued her interest (she even asked for a re-read). It is a cute little story that has images of women in STEM (Isabel's mother is described as a scientist) and girls interested in STEM, while also doing a lovely job of introducing the light spectrum to little people through a fun concept like wanting to see invisible things.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple but instructive introduction to portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Kaulitzi's digital art has a playful tone that offers plenty of hints about light and prisms to find before and after reading, from streaming sunlight to stained-glass windows to rainbows in confetti, cakes, and Isabel’s birthday posters.

[Connie T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Idabel always wanted to be able to see invisible things so when her birthday comes, her mother gives her a prism.

As an adult reader, I was expecting her to receive a microscope. The concept of light being invisible seems foreign to me and the way it was introduced in the story and later explained in the afterward felt confusing.

[Rayne Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl wants to be able to see invisible things and her scientist mother uses her birthday gift as a way to introduce one invisible thing in the world. The book is sweet and a great way to encourage curiosity.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This gentle story is a clever way to introduce the concepts of colors and wavelengths to younger students.

[Rachel Adrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book from the library

A mom in STEM gifts her curious daughter a prism for her birthday, so she can "see invisible things."

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fell flat for me with an abrupt ending.

[SamSamSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great concept, the writing was not my favorite though.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute introduction to prisms.

[Alexis Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how this book included STEM elements. I also thought that it was cool how the book focused on "invisible things", which I thought was appropriate for ECE children.

[Nanny B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, fun book with a hint of science about light and prisms.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to the light spectrum at the end. I thought the gift would be a microscope not a prism so the payoff felt anti-climactic for me. Oops. Artwork is okay—cute and sort of cartoony. Like that Isabel is from a biracial family. Glad we are seeing more of that casually integrated into stories.

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like me you may not have heard of him by Alan Lightman is a renowned physicist which means he knows an awful lot about the subject. Along with illustrator Ramona Kaulitzki he shares the story of Isabelle and her discovery of the invisible world of light. The story is fictional but the facts that have been packed in are entirely true and the pictures are simply wonderful for the way in which they manage illuminate everything in just the right way. The physics of light is quite an advanced subject if you ever think of delving into it but, presented here for children in a picture book it is digestible and helps children begin to learn some simple science concepts.

Isabel is waiting for sixth birthday and there is only one present that she has asked for. Isabel wants to be able to see invisible things. During all the days counting down to her birthday party all she can think of is this, when she walks her friend Genevieve and Geneveive’s invisible pet rabbit, she wishes she had invisible pet too. She is offered all sorts of wonderful presents but all she wants is to be able to see invisible things. When the day finally comes Isabel is given a very big box, inside it is a smaller box and a smaller one and … a glass prism. Why? Because the glass prism will allow her to see all the invisible colours in the world, lighting up her life and giving her exactly the gift she wanted.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.