The Flying Light

by Yuanhao Yang

Enter a mystical world where a man and his strange pet lizard attempt to lure luminous flying creatures to their town. Through innovative wordless storytelling and wonderfully detailed panel illustrations that invite children to use their imagination, this story will light up the lives of those in search of direction and allow each reader to interpret it according to their own unique vision of the world. “Success! ... Readers will hope there’s more wonder to come.” ―Publishers Weekly (U.S.) “An imperfect ride, yet sure to stir the imagination nonetheless.” ―Kirkus Reviews (U.S.) “Fans of graphic novels will be impressed by the intricate illustrations in this fantasy.” ―School Library Journal (U.S.) “Recommended. ... The wordless picture book and accompanying intriguing illustrations invite readers to use their imaginations, to ponder over the deeper meanings, to see a moral to the story which they can understand. Within their view of the world this story can apply to understanding a concept, making friends, understanding environmental concerns, looking at the needs of animals, the list is endless.” ―ReadPlus (U.K.)

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2019

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

An essentially wordless picture book by Chinese iIustrator Yuanhao Yang that demonstrates what most fantasy sets out to assert, that there is a world within this world that is available to our five senses. Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials) was asked how he would categorize the worlds he was creating in his fiction and he responded that he objected to how others categorized his work--which involves travel between different dimensions, and flying bears, and witches, and so on--as fantasy. He said that his view was that the world in his fiction was realism, that this is how he sees the world.

When I say "essentially" wordless, I mean that the story itself contains no words, though it is framed by them. It begins with "One dull morning. . ." in which we see in an urban square a large man riding a much larger pet lizard. This is not immediately obvious as the delicate drawings in this format are tiny. This first illustration is a full page, and the book is oversized, and the images are still tiny! I keep wanting to see these images in a larger format, such as in a gallery. Some of the details are a little faint, too, though most people can follow the story, which is at times quite elaborate.

The last page sort of summarizes what we have been "told" in images, that the man and lizard chase a flying luminous creature through town and into the forest, where he realizes the flying light is looking for a flower by which it can replenish itself. The man replants one of the flowers in his garden so that the flying lights can come and brighten his gloomy town. Near the end Yang writes, "One bright morning. . ." because, you know, light and flowers.

I don't know, given the size of the images, how much small children will like this book, so I recommend it for older children and adults. But I love wordless books of all shapes and sizes.

[Tanner · Rating 2 out of 5]

The world built in The Flying Light's gorgeous illustrations is imaginative and eye-catching, but the softness of the art style struggles to convey motion and impact when the narrative calls for it, and the details of some panels get lost in the somewhat muted color palette.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this more if it had narration. I found the story strange and difficult to follow without words. Illustrations are beautiful though.

[Esme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange and whimsical creatures make for an intriguing story. The motivations of the man weren't always clear (Did he want to catch the flying thing? Did he think it was a pest? Did he think planting the wilted flower in his garden would revive it?), but it could create good discussion with the child you're reading with.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting setup. It begins like a picture book, then slowly morphs into a wordless graphic novel, and then gives a precise one paragraph summary at the end. Definitely recommend for kiddos interested in building their own stories or magical realms. Probably not a great choice for little ones who like the same story recited to them over and over again.

[Lou Rocama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like wordless books. The glowing bugs looked really creepy though.

There's a summary facing the last page that quite ruined it though. I thought it would be acknowledgements or about the author, or I wouldn't have read it. I don't want to be told what I just read, particularly if I disagree.

[Ayren Daniels]

This book story is told through pictures similar to a comic book. It then ends with a little blurb that tells you want was happening in the story. This would be interesting to have students write their own story about what they think is happening before you read the blurb.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Essentially a wordless book...and a VERY obscure one at that. I didn't like this book at all.

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordless; complex; needs repeated reading to catch it all.