Just One Little Light

Gr 1-2–The immense potential of conquering your fears and having hope come to life in this picture book. The words, “When you find yourself in the dark/ the deepest dark... remind yourself you always have a light,” are set in white type against black swirling backgrounds. At first one blue flower-shaped light, held by a child, brightens the page, then a coral-shaped plant brings more color. Various children of many different skin tones are depicted throughout as readers follow a journey of locating light even in the darkness of perhaps fear and anxiety. The book speaks to readers of overcoming challenges, that they should remain strong and capable and persist. Yeh’s book is not preachy but instead allows readers to explore (and interpret) at their own pace. The artwork is likewise compelling with the dark swirls depicted at the beginning of the book making way for brightness, and softer colors accompany simple prose.