Lights Out: A Movement to Help Migrating Birds

by Jessica Stremer, Bonnie Pang (Illustrator)

Overview

Based on the real-life Lights Out movement, this inspirational picture book shows how even the smallest of actions, like flipping a switch, can make a big difference in helping migrating birds.

When the seasons change and it’s time for a flock of sparrows to move on, a map made of stars guides their way. But when they reach the city, light pollution masks the map and confuses the birds. One sparrow becomes separated from the flock. A girl rescues the lost sparrow and decides to take action so this doesn’t happen again.

She rallies a group of friends, and together they encourage people all over the city to help the sparrows by turning off their lights at night. But will the city be ready by the time the flock return?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665931977
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date:	03/05/2024
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	526,467
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jessica Stremer is a mom and military spouse with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She combines her love of science and writing to create books that inspire kids to explore the world around them and beyond. She is the author of the nonfiction picture books Wonderfully Wild, Lights Out, and Trapped in the Tar Pit. When not writing, Jessica loves spending time with her family traveling, hiking, and camping.

Bonnie Pang is an illustrator and comics artist from Hong Kong. She studied geography at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and obtained a master’s degree in fine arts from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She is the creator of the webcomics Roar Street Journal and IT Guy & Art Girl. When not drawing, Bonnie enjoys reading, gaming, and spending time with her cat.

Editorial Reviews

"An enlightening picture book for bird lovers."

Booklist

2024-01-05
The rescue of a disoriented sparrow introduces the problems that city lights pose for migrating birds.

A flock of sparrows sets out, but the glare of streetlights and bright signs prevents them from seeing the stars. They scatter, and one is left behind but is soon rescued by a girl and her father, who take the bird to a rehab center. Over the winter the sparrow heals, while the girl and her schoolmates mount a campaign to encourage people to turn their lights off at night during migration season. When the sparrows return in the spring, the lights have been turned off, the stars are visible, and they all find their way through the city safely—including the left-behind sparrow, who’s since recovered. The simple, smoothly written text sits directly on a backdrop of digital illustrations featuring stylized city scenes and country landscapes, all of which would show nicely to a group. Readers may be slightly confused at the references to window collision; children may need the help of an adult to understand that reflective window glass and light pollution are two separate problems. (This difference is made clear in the backmatter.) Thoughtfully, the illustrator has shown gloved adult hands picking up the birds. The girl and her father are brown-skinned; the classroom is diverse.

A feel-good story of a successful children’s campaign to make the world safer for birds. (information on light pollution, lights-out campaigns, how to help, and flyways; bibliography) (Informational picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews