Glow: Animals with Their Own Night-Lights

by W.H. Beck, Rebecca Hogue Wojahn

Why be afraid of the dark when there is so much to see? Whether it’s used to hunt, hide, find a friend, or escape an enemy, bioluminescence—the ability to glow—is a unique adaptation in nature. In this fun and fascinating nonfiction picture book, join world-renowned photographers and biologists on their close encounters with the curious creatures that make their own light. Author’s note and bibliography included.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Science, Nature, Childrens, Photography

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 5, 2016

About the author

Reader. Writer. Teacher-librarian.
Also writes under the name Rebecca Hogue Wojahn.

Reviews

[Mariah Roze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story that my students enjoyed learning about animals under the water from.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book invites young readers to explore the world of bioluminescence. Set against black backgrounds these glowing creatures pop on the page. The book not only shows different organisms that glow, but also explains why they glow too. Children will learn the terms for the chemicals that allow the light to be created and also see that there are some creatures who glow but no one knows quite why. Filled with dazzling photographs, this is a book that will fly off the shelves of public libraries as kids are hooked by the fish on the cover.

Beck has the book written at two levels. The larger font offers a less specific look at the organisms themselves and therefore a simpler experience. The smaller font allows readers to learn more about each creature. More information on each is also found at the end of the book where size, Latin name, and the depth they live at is given for each. This is a book that is engaging and fascinating. The text is restrained and focused, offering enough information to appeal but never standing in the way of the dazzling creatures themselves.

The photographs in the book are exceptional. Each shows the light of the creature against a black background, allowing that creature attention by the reader. The photos were taken by several different photographers, yet they make for a cohesive book thanks to their similar nature and the beauty they depict. I particularly enjoyed the firefly photo and the glowing shoreline.

An awesome book that is sure to appeal to children who enjoy nature and bizarre creatures, this is a winning science book for public libraries. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous, gorgeous book! The photographs assembled in this book are amazing and the subject matter is fascinating. I loved reading about all the interesting creatures who use bioluminescence and the different variations on how they use it. Many of them using bioluminescence to trick predators into passing them by. The book says 'Bioluminescence is the most widely used form of communication on the planet.' I would have loved some data and elaboration on that statement but I'm still very happy with this book.

The text of this beautiful picture book is relatively simple and would be appropriate to read with very young children as well as for anyone who has a curiosity about the natural world and the wonders of science. This would be a excellent addition to the classroom - and I would say for students of any age, even high school because the content is so fascinating.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spotted this attractive and intriguing cover whilst browsing the new books shelf at my local (and amazing) library. I grabbed it and immediately shared the book with a small class of fifth graders. We spent quite a bit of time poring over the spectacular, crisp, colorful photos. The simple text is engaging and the thumb-nail extra info section provides additional details for your fact hounds. Beautifully designed. A real crowd pleaser.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe a new favorite for me on the Monarch list! Both of the kids thought this book was so cool! A book entirely about animals that glow and have their own night lights! What I liked the most about the books is that there is larger print at the top that my son could mostly read on his own and small print at the bottom that gave the facts about each animal. A great book for parents and children to read together. At the end of the book there are additional facts about each animal as well. These pages answered many of the questions the kids had while reading the book.

Don't pass this one up!

[Dulce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glow is a non-fiction picture book which shows us the beauty of bioluminescence, the ability of living things to make their own light, and how this helps them hunt, hide, find a friend, or escape from an enemy. Beautiful pictures of the animals and plants and white text, set against a black backdrop, allow the reader to enjoy the beauty of these special creatures and make them the focus of each page.
This nonfiction text, written in narrative style allows beginning readers as well as advanced readers enjoy this books. The main idea is written on top of each page in large font, and will be easy for beginning readers to read. There are also supporting details and further descriptions of how bioluminescence helps living things at the bottom of each page. This is why I would recommend this book for students in P-3. Author’s notes and bibliography are also included.
This 2017 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book and 2018 Monarch nominee would also be great when teaching about living things and adaptation. It would also be a good mentor text when teaching how to write interpretative non-fiction text and/or the different ways in which facts can be presented in a fun way.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great non-fiction picture book. Kind of creepy

[Jordan Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Glow was fascinating, also a Monarch book. There are many new vocabulary words that people especially children can learn from this book. This book discusses bioluminescence which is when living things make their own light. Throughout this book you understand what living things can make their own light and you also learn more about those living things. The images in this book are of living things, and are actual pictures.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs. I would especially like to talk with 1st graders about how she focuses on answering a big question: why do they glow? Great balance of big ideas and supporting details. Also great backmatter for kids and families that want to learn more.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read about bio-luminescent creatures and how they use their internal lights for various reasons. Readers will enjoy the stunning photographs and simple text. It opened my eyes just how undiscovered the depths of the oceans still are!

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating illustrations of bioluminescent animals and a few plants. I love the tag line that animals come with their own night lights. The text reads like a quick story but includes set detailed text about each animal. Great for 1st grade and up.

[Bmack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really neat book about animals that glow. It talks a little about the chemistry behind why they glow but each page is a different animal and it tells a fact about the benefits of them glowing.

[Lupita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice picture book about bio-luminescence and the creatures that have it., and why.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! The only thing that could possibly make it better is if the illustrations possibly glowed in the dark, too.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! Crazy pictures. Good information about the animals within and simple, easy to follow text.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at underwater creatures that glow. Stunning photography. Limited text. Well-written. Great overview of bioluminescence with striking examples.

[AlexandraM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monarch Award Nominee in 2018, Glow might just have readers choosing their new favorite animal from its pages!

This nonfiction book teaches readers about animals that use bioluminescence to help them survive. Whether they need to see to hunt, defend themselves against predators, or find their families, many animals actually make their own light to help them see in the dark. Organized using descriptions of each animal and filled with incredible (and creepy!) photographs, this book will have second-graders like my own gawking as they read and later, rattling off facts left and right!

One of the best parts of this book is that author W.H. Beck is not afraid to use 'big words' in a book for young readers. Introducing vocabulary is beneficial for students because it not only expands their linguistic understanding, but drives their curiosity as they seek to learn more about a topic--such as bioluminescence.

The book is appropriate for second-grade and beyond, and would be a perfect mentor text read-aloud for students learning about different animal adaptations that help them survive. STEM activities could also be tied to this book!

Definitely a worthwhile addition to any classroom or home library!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really cool. It has amazing photographs and facts about each glowing animal. I love that they show you how to pronounce certain words. Makes it easier to read when you come across a long word you're not sure how to pronounce. I also like how at the beginning of the book it tells you what kind of animal is on the front cover and on the inside before the actual book starts. In addition to that, in the very back there is an area where it lists each animal that was mentioned in the book, but they go into more specifics such as their size and how deep they live in the ocean. It's pretty interesting. I also like how at the beginning of the book it tells you what kind of animal is on the front cover and on the inside before the actual book starts. Did I mention how awesome the photographs are?! I love them so much. They are sure to capture children's attention as well as adults.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book 3.5 stars. It is a fascinating look at bioluminescence. W.H. Beck tells about many creatures that make their own light, most of which are found in the deep, dark depths of the ocean. I found it particularly fascinating to learn about brittle stars. When they are in danger, they can shed a glowing arm. Predators will follow the glowing arm, thus allowing the brittle stars to get away safely. Living things make their own light for various reasons. Sometimes to attract food to eat, other times to protect themselves, sometimes to find friends, and more. Amazing facts and great visuals.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this book will last my niece more than a year. It's written with three different reading levels in mind:

Big text for early readers that's simpler to grasp: "Some glow in the air."
Smaller text with more information for more advanced readers:"Fireflies blink and flash to 'talk' to other fireflies. They find their mate using their light, too."
And in the very back, for kids who really get into the science, illustrations better showing how these critters luminesce, with details on Latin names, size in both metric and empirical measurements, and where the critters live.

Now I just have to decide if it's a birthday or Christmas gift....

[Kira Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copyright - 2016
Number of Pages - unknown
Book Format - Hardcover
Reading Level - Grades K-2
Genre - Nonfiction
Lit. Requirement - Monarch 2018 Nominee

Summary:
This book reveals animals and plants that glow in the dark. They glow from Bioluminescent in them and they glow in strange ways.

Response:
I love the pictures in this book. The animal or plant that glows shows up so clearly and beautifully. There are captions that inform what the animal/plant was and some facts about it. I would recommend it because of how the pictures look. It will captivate the children.

[Ashley Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot more going on in the dark than we know about! This book gives the reader information about certain animals and insects that create their own forms of light in the dark. The most mentioned animals with bioluminescence were found in the water. The ocean is a large, deep, dark place. However, with all the fish that produce their own light that are mentioned in this book, I can't believe it is ever dark! This would be a great book to use for a lesson about the ocean or bioluminescence.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful nonfiction book about bioluminescence, especially in ocean creatures. The photography is amazing. The text has two levels- a simpler larger text, and a smaller more detailed section. The large text would be appropriate for young preschool children (and maybe younger) with the more detailed text for older preschool and primary aged kids.

I love that there is some additional information in the back, including a bibliography.

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful read-aloud with outstanding photographs and text that informs without being overwhelming. My kinder and 1st graders really enjoyed learning all about bioluminescence and were very excited to go home and tell mom and dad about this very long scientific word and what it means. A worthy addition to the 2018 Illinois Monarch Award list.

[Pat Salvatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomely creepy non-fiction book that is great for both a younger level read-aloud (large text) or independent reading (all the text). Exploring the many animals that use bioluminescence to GLOW. Great photography that has a wow factor students will enjoy even if they do not totally understand the science behind it.

[Candace Worrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells about the many animals with bioluminiscence. Gives a nod to the ones on land, but primarily focuses on water creatures. Picture book format with two sections on each page. First can be read as a stand alone picture book or the additional, more sophisticated information can be read with it to supplement the information. Wonderful photos.

[Madalyn Bitner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book is astounding. The beautiful photographs in this story make it absolutely outstanding. Children are provided with great information in this story about bioluminescence - the ability to glow by making your own light. I would definitely recommend this book to not only children, but to adults as well! Great read!

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short non-fiction picture book about animals that have bioluminescence. This book could easily be shared among a class or group because of it's large photograph size and short main text. Added smaller text can be read if you are reading it to an elementary-age group or wanted to read the information for yourself. Good for PreK-4th grade.

[Pattie Babbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cool! Loved the black background and the amazing photos. I have not read all the primary VRC books yet for next year, but this is my pick to win! (Although I reserve the right to change my mind.)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb photography presented on black background. Bioluminescence. Large print on the 2-page spreads is easier reading. The smaller print expands the understanding. Unique (22 of them) creatures are listed on the 2 pages at the end, giving names, sizes, and locations.
Monarch Nominee 2018