Review by Booklist Review
Ray, a personified ball of light energy, embarks on an exciting journey through space in this brilliant addition to the Science Pals series. Since the "beginning of time," light has made life on our planet possible. Alongside friends Puff (air) and Drop (water), Ray and his companions "power life on Earth." Ray zooms at the speed of light ("186,000 miles per second!!") from the Sun to Earth's oceans, influencing weather patterns, sustaining animals and plants, and even reaching the deepest parts of the oceans and beneath the surface of the soil. The smiling faces, hand-lettered witty captions, and bright, cutesy illustrations will appeal to science-minded early readers. However, Moon doesn't shy away from advanced scientific concepts such as the electromagnetic spectrum. Every part of the book is packed with fascinating facts and tidbits of information; even the endpapers delve into the science behind light, fusion, sources of light, and energy sources on Earth. Kids with lots of questions about how things work will appreciate Moon's inviting approach.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--4--After a prologue explains that light is energy, Ray, an anthropomorphic beam of light, guides readers on a fast-paced overview of light and its importance to life on Earth. Ray begins his journey from the Sun, speeding through space with other sunbeams "ready to spread their energy wherever they land." An eye-catching white ball with sparkling beams of light, Ray keeps up a breezy patter: "We are space explorers" and "I'm ready to work!" At Earth's atmosphere, Ray is joined by pals Puff and Drop as he brings light, heat, and energy everywhere he goes. Engaging and readable, the factual presentation is superficial but supplemented by cartoony digital illustrations. An epilogue sums up the power of light, offering examples of how sunlight transforms into other forms of energy including heat, motion, food, and life. Both the prologue and epilogue add facts but seem directed at older readers, and the overall effect lacks focus. VERDICT This is a serviceable overview of a complex topic; perhaps pair with Susan Hughes's Lights Day and Night or David A. Adler's Light Waves for its excellent STEM focus.--Marilyn Taniguchi
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A beaming ray of sunshine illuminates the role of visible light in energizing life on Earth. Moon brings the same refreshing combination of charm and solid fact that animated her profiles of water (2021'sDrop) and air (2024'sPuff) to an even more fundamental subject. "I'm traveling light!" exclaims Ray, dashing through space with his fellow star-born rays. And, given that Ray is all energy, there's nothing faster in the universe: "I am the speed limit!" Once through the Earth's atmosphere, which filters out most of the gamma rays and other harmful parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, it's time to light up the planet and provide it with colors, to turn on the heat, to "power the weather," and, best of all, give plants and other forms of life the free energy required to grow. Fans ofDrop andPuff will smile at cameos from the protagonists of those titles. In the vivid illustrations, bursts of light brighten deep seas and underground layers to demonstrate energy's reach, storage, and continual flow, as well as the planetary surfaces, where light plays an essential role in making food for all. In final views, a diverse group of young campers peer into a fire and up at a starry sky. "Every moment you live, you turn light intoyou!" the book concludes. "Oh! The possibilities!" A high-wattage spotlight on our most important power source.(Informational picture book. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
