Lighthouse Ladies: Shining a Spotlight on Hardy Heroines: A True Story About Intrepid Women Who Battled Weather and Saved Sailors for Kids

by Kris Coronado, Islenia Mil (illustrator)

The derring-do of Shark Lady meets the inspiration of Mae Among the Stars in the true stories of four intrepid and diverse women of history as they battle weather and waves to save sailors at sea. Kris Coronado’s debut nonfiction picture book, perfect for fans of Hello Lighthouse, is brilliantly illustrated by Islenia Mil.

Ahoy! To man a lighthouse over a century ago in America required guts, courage, and bravery. It was a job tackled by hundreds every day, many of whom . . . were not men! This true tale chronicles the amazing feats of four fascinating women. Each real lighthouse lady featured in this book—whether she’s on a wind-walloped Hawaiian cliff or an icy channel off the Virginia coast—shows that girl power was around long before it became a popular phrase.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Childrens, Middle Grade, Womens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 2025

About the author

A journalist since she was a teen, has a proven track record of exploring captivating subjects for outlets such as the Washington Post. She was inspired to write Lighthouse Ladies when she came across an old newspaper article mentioning a woman lighthouse keeper off the coast of Maine. Intrigued, she dove in deep.

Kris lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and two daughters, who now love visiting lighthouses on family vacations.

Reviews

[Georgina Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely unforgettable book! Kris Coronado gives us a gift that should be included in every child's library and classroom. In this book readers can explore the stories of four brave women (Ida Lewis, Juliet Nichols, Venus Parker and Julia Toomey) across different eras and their contributions in the world of lighthouse keeping. The soft, rhyming style has a lovely poetic quality to the words and it is great for transitional readers that are ready to expand their vocabulary.

All four of these women have different accomplishments in the field of naval navigation and even if the world of lighthouse keeping has changed since their time, their feats of bravery will continue to inspire future generations of girls and women. No matter what challenges they faced, these women kept their lights burning and the bells ringing to guide all seafaring ships home.

The illustrations of Islenia Mil are filled with deep greenish-blue waves, soft sunset pink and yellow hues and earthy tones that lead to a visually immersive experience. The reader almost drifts from one story into another like riding a boat across the waves.

There is a bibliography at the end of the book to share more academic resources about women in lighthouse keeping and naval history.

[Allison Haehnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains beautiful collages of illustrations and stories about women who broke barriers and saved lives as lighthouse keepers despite the gender roles during the 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900s. Generous resources for more reading and the selected bibliography allow readers to explore more on their own.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before there were hashtags for "girl power," there were lighthouse keepers- many women- risking their lives to guide ships and save sailors. In "Lighthouse Ladies," Kris Coronado brings to light (quite literally) the true stories of four extraordinary women who kept the beacons burning in some of the most unforgiving conditions across the U.S. From rocky Hawaiian cliffs to icy East Coast waters, these women demonstrated quiet heroism, steely resolve, and remarkable independence. The text is rich with adventure and awe, inviting young readers into a lesser-known corner of history. Islenia Mil's vibrant illustrations add depth and movement, allowing the sea and sky to echo the strength of the women who watched over them.
With compelling backmatter and vivid storytelling, "Lighthouse Ladies" is a brilliant conversation starter and a launchpad for further exploration. It's a standout nonfiction title for classrooms, libraries, and homes--and a shining example of courage across the ages.

[Becky Scharnhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love books that highlight strong women in history, then this is the book for you! It introduces readers to four women who faced tremendous challenges while working as lighthouse keepers. I was completely captivated from beginning to end! And when I finished, I felt inspired by the strength and determination of these women. The text is lyrical and engaging, and the illustrations are bold and dramatic. There were several times while reading where I paused and went back just so I could fully appreciate the well-crafted sentences. This is perfect for classrooms and young readers at home!

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a superb addition to Women’s history, in an unexpected area: lighthouses! The back matter is excellent. I rather wish that the back matter had been the main part of this book since I felt the subject was too serious for rhyming sentences. I wasn’t a fan of the illustrations either. But the subject matter gets 5 out of 5 stars!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I child, every summer I looked forward to driving to the top of Mount Battie in Camden, Maine and looking out to the Curtis Island Lighthouse. Sometimes we’d get a closer look, sailing the Appledoor out of Camden Harbor, but no matter the distance, the lighthouse seemed full of mystery. What happened there? Who was inside? Was it haunted?

Kris Coronado and Islenia Mil’s new picture book __Lighthouse Ladies: Shining a Spotlight on Hardy Heroines__ importantly removes the veil of mystery surrounding lighthouses and teaches that real people — lighthouse keepers, who were often women — lived and worked and sacrificed their lives to keep the light going. The book illuminates four lighthouse keepers stories’, spanning from 1869 to 1924 in various parts of the country, as far north as Rhode Island, and as far west as Hawaii. With playful, onomatopoeic language, Coronado casts light on the impossible work of these woman keepers: from saving men on capsized boats in frigid waters to manually pounding the station’s broken bell for over twenty hours, from setting out in icy waters to restock supplies to losing family members in lighthouse fires, these women — Ida, Juliet, Venus and Julia — PERSISTED. And thanks to Mil’s gorgeous crossover illustrations, their stories are “still visible in the gathering darkness” of history’s forgotten tales. Part history lesson, part inspiring tale, __Lighthouse Ladies— urges readers to “stand by the light and keep it burning,” a message we need as much in 2025 as we needed in 1924.

In the Author’s Note, Coronado admits the book could have been ten times as long — I would welcome a series or set of illustrated early chapter books expanding on these dutiful heroines’ stories.

[Wendy Rake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthouse Ladies is a captivating children’s book that shines (literally and figuratively!) a long-overdue spotlight on four real-life women who bravely kept the lights burning and saved lives at sea.

The vocabulary is rich and thoughtful—challenging young readers just enough to expand their language skills without losing them. The blend of historical facts with exciting, suspenseful storytelling keeps little ones engaged while also sneaking in valuable lessons about resilience and leadership. Every page is a visual treat, capturing the drama of towering waves, sweeping beams of light, and quiet acts of bravery.

It’s a great choice for young readers who enjoy stories of adventure and real-life heroes—especially lesser-known women from history.

Lighthouse Ladies: Shining a Spotlight on Hardy Heroines

[Rachel Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so you know how sometimes with nonfiction picture books, you wonder if the longer text will actually hold kids' attention during a read loud? Well, you do NOT have to worry with this one! Lighthouse ladies is a zingy, empowering, and fun nonfiction picture book. Coronado expertly weaves together tales of adventure, sacrifice, and strength that don't shy away from the challenges and tragedies these women faced. Her text is both direct and playful, a reflection of their tenacity and spirit. And the illustrator Islenia Mill's gorgeous illustrations compliment and enhance the story with their bold shapes and colors. Her art not only effectively portrays the harshness AND beauty of their lives, it reflects their individual complexity with intriguing compositions that invite you to open your mind to new sights and stories to celebrate.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about a topic that interests me greatly as a New Englander! I have visited many lighthouses up and down the Atlantic coast, and often wondered about the brave and hardy souls who have tended them. But, I must confess, a bit ashamedly, that I have not pictured many women at their helm. These stories of a diverse group of selfless heroines is engaging, action packed, and beautifully illustrated by Islenia Mil. I learned more about the daily operation of lighthouses and the nature of their lifesaving features. What I found particularly interesting was that each rescue is unique, highlighting the variety of ways that lighthouses and lighthouse keepers serve their communities.

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perseverance, fortitude, and courage--that's what all these women from the latter 1800s and into the 1900s shared when they were doing "men's work" but while wearing long skirts! Kids will enjoy learning about the adventurous lifestyles of being a lighthouse keeper and revel in the heroic rescues. Even their day-to-day lives were pretty amazing.

The art brings their stories to life as we travel around the US to take a "dip" into their stories. The back matter mentions how this book could have been ten times longer, so LIGHTHOUSE LADIES is also a great starting point for adults to delve into deeper conversations about this topic and to search out other women who quietly made a difference.

[Laura Bontje · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful spotlight on some of the women whose daily work saved countless lives. There's a blend of determination and inspiration in the characterization, and I enjoyed the way that the illustrations often kept the characters' skirts swirling alongside the wind and water -- a reminder that this was not just men's work. The bright, charming illustrations are a wonderful complement to the thoughtful text, and I appreciated the amount of detail in the back matter to expand on this aspect of history.

[Megan Clendenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book that shines a light on four courageous women who worked at lighthouses and saved lives. The book is definitely a page turner as it details exciting moments in the lives of four women, and as the back matter notes, there were many other women who played similar roles at lighthouses. Readers will be inspired by the bravery and determination of the women, and the illustrations are wonderful and really show the historical details that bring the stories to life. Back matter lets readers dive deeper into the topic. A must read book!

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems men were not the only tenders of lighthouses. Some attendants were actually women. This collective biography for young readers introduces us to several of these women and the jobs they performed, usually with out help from a man. They needed strength of character as well as body, and courage to carry out their duties, often in some very treacherous weather conditions. Readers, especially girls, will learn a great deal about a role some women performed in the late 1800's and into the early 1900's. This is the stuff of legends.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthouse Ladies showcases the strength of women from an era when they were unnoticed and under-praised. The author did an excellent job of educating the reader on the trials and successes of four women who ran various lighthouses and the fortitude that this job required.
Lighthouse Ladies is a captivating story and the illustrations are simply gorgeous! As an elementary school teacher, I look forward to reading this to my students for years to come to focus on an inspirational story of an overlooked piece of women’s history.

[Abbigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was bothered by some details like how some of the illustrations didn't match the text and how the text would randomly rhyme out of nowhere but not the whole time. That felt really debut author to me. The illustrations kind of reminded me of Molly Idle's.

Overall an okay overview of women who have worked in lighthouses. I thought it focused more on the specific events that happened with each person instead of the details of day to day life. Really extensive bibliography and authors note with real photos though, which I love.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful in words and illustration that I found so moving and powerful. It blends the hardship of stepping into a role you might not have foreseen with how proud you can feel on the other side.

My oldest son (a picky 8 year-old) loved the bravery and strength in these stories. And I love a book that teaches us something about an unknown corner of history. Bravo to beautiful nonfic like this!

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excitement. Duty. Bravery. Heroism. And also, sometimes peace and quiet. The ladies profiled in this book are “salty souls” indeed. Depicting the early days of ocean vessels and the importance of having warning systems near treacherous rocks, many times it was women, not men, who manned the lighthouse lights and fog horns. These intriguing anecdotes portray four women’s contributions and, though they lived long ago, they are just inspiring for current times. A fun and important read!

[Carla Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthouse Ladies shines a bright light on the little-known contributions of some incredibly tough women in very difficult circumstances. You'll want to keep turning the pages of this picture book to see what happens next to each of the four women highlighted! As a history fan, I appreciated the additional content at the end that added even more details about lighthouses and the ladies who ran them. Lyrical text and beautiful illustrations make this book a very pleasurable read!

[Samantha Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-fiction that reads like fiction!
My 3, 5, and 8 year old all really loved this book! The stories of each heroine are captivating. We learned so much about this topic - we had no idea women lighthouse keepers were even a thing! It is an easy non-fiction read and the illustrations are gorgeous and aid in the story telling. We're now interested in learning more about women lighthouse keepers and the job of a lighthouse keeper!

[Margaret E Skeffington · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids ages 6 and 8 loved Lighthouse Ladies! It is a must-read for any child (or adult) who loves history, adventure, and stories of unsung heroes. The writing is engaging and accessible for young readers, while Islenia Mil’s vibrant illustrations capture both the wild beauty of the sea and the quiet strength of these remarkable women. Bravo to Kris Coronado for shining a light on these incredible women! This book proves girl power has been lighting the way for over a century!

[Heather Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coronado’s lively prose draws you right into this narrative which shares the adventures of four women who “defied convention with conviction.” Each lighthouse lady shows her courage in different ways. Whether rescuing capsized sailors or sounding a bell for hours on end, readers will be inspired by the perseverance of these unknown heroines and fascinated by their stories. Mil’s dramatic, vivid artwork perfectly complements the text, and back matter reveals the depth of the author’s research.

[Michelle Cusolito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shines a light on a piece of history I knew nothing about. I'm not surprised though... women are so often left out of the history books. Lively language and bright illustrations will keep readers engaged. Back matter provides additional information beyond what's conveyed in the main text.
(Review based on an advanced digital review copy)

[Jeanne Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, the reader is swept up into the exciting true stores of four brave women working at lighthouses and their daring feats of rescue. "In a time when women were expected to stay at home to balance chores with children, these ladies defied convention with conviction." The bold colorful llustrations perfectly reflect the excitement of the story. A must read!

[Katie Furze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This illuminating picture book profiles four female lighthouse keepers, giving young readers a glimpse into the perilous life they faced, the hard work and the dangers. The illustrations are vibrant and full of movement, complementing the pacy text perfectly. Back matter explains that there were many other women light housekeepers, inviting readers to research this fascinating topic further.

[Laura Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough good things about this book! It tells the incredible stories of four brave and heroic lighthouse ladies, with delightful, lyrical prose that makes it a joy to read aloud. The stunning illustrations emphasize the important contributions these women made throughout history. Educational and inspiring; great for classroom lessons or storytime at home.

[PB FAIRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dynamic and fascinating book about four brave ladies who saved lives and kept their lighthouses going. The language and pictures are equally captivating, as are the stories and ladies. Brilliant, inspiring, and educational, this book is a great read equipped with additional information in the back matter for those who want to know even more. We love this book!

[Lindsay Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting collected biography of little-known women heroes from history. The book gives succinct glimpses into the grueling work and dedication required to be a lighthouse keeper, while also shining a light on the restrictions given to women of their time. This is a must buy for history collections and libraries.

[Leigh Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthouse Ladies is a delightful book for all ages! I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a beautifully written and illustrated adventure! I've always enjoyed lighthouses, but I'll appreciate them far more now that I know some of the amazing stories of the brave women who served to keep our seas safe.

[Nora Nickum · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting, interesting book! Four women in history who played vital roles at lighthouses around the country--stepping up, saving lives, leading the way. Inspiring and dramatic, I am sure this will make many young readers eager to go learn more about the compelling stories highlighted here.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book for kids and tribute to the unseen and unheard of women who overcame challenges most people will never come close to experiencing in a lifetime! Loved the writing style, author’s notes at the end and illustrations! An easy interesting read that can be enjoyed by all!