The Night Rainbow

by Barbara Juster Esbensen, Helen Davie (Illustrator)

Features poems based on ancient legends about the northern lights from people who associated the fiery illuminations with animals, ghosts, dancers, and raging battles. By the creators of The Great Buffalo Race.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Nature, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

Reviews

[Amanda up North · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main part of the book explores varying legends of the Northern Lights (Native North American, Scandinavian, Norse, Russian, Inuit) in poetic words and lots of imagery.
I like the informational features at the end, on not just the legends, but the Aurora's forms and scientific causes.
They're magnificent.
A wish: Less light pollution.. more pure and natural wonder.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated. It compiles a bunch of different stories from different cultures about the auroras, and it ca feel a little disjointed. But overall, lovely.

[Chris Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

This concept book collects legends and folklore from around the world used to describe the presence of the aurora borealis. Stunning illustrations support the abstract text. Legends are further explained at the back of the book, where the reader will also find a note on the science of the aurora. This book might capture the imagination of those who have seen or wish to see the aurora, but those who wish to understand it should look elsewhere.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book uses the northern lights as a source of inspiration for poetry that links various cultures able to see the incredible colors and patterns in the sky. Both the words and the illustrations are wonderful, and the approach to culture is spot on, highlighting both similarities and differences artfully and respectfully.

[Janette · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures were beautiful. I appreciated the educational aspect of the book which described various cultures myths around the norther lights. The text seemed a little too dry for pictures.

[Claire Caterer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful treatment of the different legends surrounding the aurora borealis. I learned a lot reading this, both about the science and the folklore.