The Boy and the Pink Light

by Mayra Clay, Line Andersen (illustrator)

The Boy and The Pink Light tells the story of a boy who lived a happy life. Then one day, he suddenly felt sad. He didn't know why, and he didn't know how to get over this new sensation.

Just then, a bright and radiant pink light appeared before him and helped him navigate this new emotion. It changed his experience of sadness, and the message of the pink light can help transform your little one's experience too.

Go on a journey with your child through this amazing book and

● the right words to say to help your little one feel better when they're sad.
● a heartwarming story that's totally real and relatable.
● beautiful and fascinating hand-drawn illustrations throughout its pages to captivate your child.
● simple yet powerful ways to help your child understand how special they are.

Finding the right words to make your child feel happy from the inside doesn't have to be a challenge.

This one-of-a-kind tale will allow you to share special moments with your child, inspire meaningful conversations and deepen your connection with each other.

26 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2025

Reviews

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Boy And The Pink Light' by Mayra Clay. Illustrated by Line Anderson.

This is the first book by this author that we have read by this author as a family and it most certainly will not be our last.

What an absolutely delightful, heart-warming and sweet book from this fantastic author and illustrator!! It is such a beautifully illustrated book, sweet and inspirational book for children and adults alike. I may not be the target age for this book being 38 years old but I have 7 year old twin boys and a 12 year old son and we all loved reading/listening to the story of the boy and the pink light I would say this book is perfect for children who are about 4 years plus to read on their own but younger children and babies will love the absolutely gorgeous illustrations. With a fabulous and beautiful storyline that brings up emotions and how children can deal with them it is a must read for any child and adult alike. It is so important that children feel that they can discuss their emotions, especially in this day and age, and this inspirational book shows just how they can help to deal with them and also to help others with their emotions. The author has very thoughtfully included a guide for children to do the pink light exercise and if you go to her website the bright path you can find more information on the pink light technique for adults, This really is a brilliant little book that I really could not compliment and recommend enough. It will help children discover how to not only express but to deal with emotions of loneliness, sadness and other worries they may feel. It is a relatable and sweet story that follows a young boy struggling with his emotions that children will feel able to relate to and therefore connect more with both the boy and the story. After we finished this beautiful story I looked online for more information on it and I actually discovered that there is a YouTube video with a ReadAlong with the book which I would also recommend especially for those who struggle with the written word. It is not only children that struggle with their emotions but adults too and I have already tried this bright light technique and it really does help. I have also been using it on my children, two of which have autism and I found this book absolutely brilliant to use alongside it to help guide them. The illustrations are absolutely fantastic, colourful and eye catching and really help to capture the readers imagination. My children loved looking and naming all the different items in the background as well as cheering the boy on. I really cannot compliment the illustrations enough.
One of the other things I love about this book is that not only does it teach children how to deal with their emotions but the boy in the story also uses this to then go ahead and help others. So not only has it got beautiful illustrations and a fantastic storyline but it also helps children to show how to be kind to each other. It teaches children that it is good to help others and to be brave and kind. This book makes a fantastic bed time story and it is also a good story that teaches children the importance of kindness and dealing with your emotions. We all had lots of fun naming all the different things that the children could see in the photos and naming all the colours. It is a fantastic book and I would say it is suitable for any child and adult from new-born up. This book is lovely and short and can be a quick read or be made into a fun long read whichever the reader wishes. The font is a nice style and size making it easy for adults and children to see and read too which is definitely a bonus as I have struggled with some fonts that authors have used in children's books in the past. It would be a great book for children to be read to by their teachers in school. In fact I really would love to see this book in every school, library, doctors, well anywhere and everywhere for everybody to have access to it. I am looking forward to reading more books by Mayra and/or illustrated by Line to my children and hope that they are busy writing and illustrating the next one already!

Congratulations Mayra and Line on an absolutely gorgeous book filled with absolutely gorgeous illustrations as well as important messages. Here is to your next success 🥂

Overall a gorgeously illustrated, educational and sweet children's book about emotions.


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[Kelly Green's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mayra Clay's The Boy and the Pink Light is a radiant and deeply impactful story that offers young readers a beautiful lesson in emotional resilience and the power of sharing joy. This charming book introduces us to a young boy who finds himself feeling sad, lonely, and unsettled. His world begins to change when he discovers a loving, comforting pink ball of light.

This luminous light quickly becomes a source of emotional support for the boy, eventually integrating into his very being. With his newfound inner glow, the boy carries the pink light with him wherever he goes, radiating its warmth and happiness to everyone he encounters.

Clay's narrative is a wonderful tool for young readers, gently teaching them to embrace the love and inner strength within themselves to navigate life's inevitable challenges. It also beautifully illustrates a profound truth: when you share your own inner light, the joy it brings extends to those around you, creating a ripple effect of happiness.

The watercolor illustrations in the book are particularly noteworthy; they are vibrant, alive, and brimming with fun, perfectly complementing the story's uplifting message. I especially loved how the narrative is crafted to make such an important life lesson accessible and understandable for young minds.

The Boy and the Pink Light is more than just a children's book; it's a valuable resource. I would not only recommend it enthusiastically to parents, grandparents, and young readers but also strongly encourage schools to keep a copy in their libraries. It's an essential read for fostering emotional intelligence and a sense of community in children.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once, there was a boy like any other whose life was filled with friendship, joy, and curiosity. But one day, the boy wakes up with a feeling of sadness that permeates everything inside of him. Luckily, at that particular moment a pink light appears that has the capacity to talk to and encourage the boy, helping him to discover the resilience he has inside and the power he has to share that strength with others. This thoughtful picture book explores the ideas of joy and happiness in a way that young readers can visualize easily. Utilizing the concept of a personified pink light, the story gives readers a tangible element that they can reflect upon in their own lives, as well. Brief text and soft, watercolor illustrations make the book accessible to a wide range of readers, and the book is especially well suited to readers who are beginning to better understand the depth and complexities of their own emotions. A guide at the end of the book helps caregivers to take the social and emotional learning outside of the story, encouraging kindness and empathy for both oneself and others. Though there may be some initial reservation about the use of a pink light for some readers, the overall delivery of the story will make a positive impression on children and adults alike. Whether reading this at home or in a classroom, this is a helpful tool for encouraging emotional regulation and interconnectivity in young children.

[NICODESO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Mayra Clay's whimsy, magical book explores how young children can navigate anxiety and loneliness by visualizing a pink light that lives inside them. Unable to understand the sudden onset of an inexplicable sadness, the unnamed little protagonist encounters a subliminal pink illumination that changes his world.

The hand-drawn, watercolor illustrations by Line Anderson are pretty and can also serve as conversation starters. Children can engage with the images, describing what they see, and in doing so, begin to articulate their own feelings and build both emotional and linguistic vocabulary.

The final illustration, accompanied with the line 'Because he was full of love,' is my absolute favorite--I’d turn it into a wall mural if I could! Could almost hear Pam Bricker from Thievery Corporation singing:

"Receiving love from everywhere,
Our fear dissolving into air."

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC copy in exchange of an honest review.

[Bookmeaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Boy and The Pink Light is about a boy who is always happy, but one day sadness gets to him. He finds a glowing pink light that gives him comfort and brings his happiness back.

I think the concept of Pink Light is quite vague and so it's open to the reader's interpretation.
The Pink Light could be a metaphor for self-love, self-trust. A reminder that he's not alone. There's love somewhere out there, and mostly the one inside of his heart.

"The boy kept his eyes closed and imagined the Pink Light shining in his heart."

I loved the illustration style and the colors used. Watercolor brings a soft welcoming touch to the book.

It could have been a better story if we had a less vague narrative, if we had been shown why the boy was sad, and what the pink light is actually. I think the message gets lost because the story is too vague.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book!

This book is aimed at 2-7 years old and explores the topic of feeling happy and then suddenly feeling sad... plus, what can we do when we feel sad?

The concept of a pink light is just lovely, and holding this light in your heart to help others when they are sad is just a lovely concept.

The illustrations are gorgeous and really help to support the words for our younger readers. The pink tone throughout the book supports the pink light but I also feel like it offers a warm background for children to look at and read (I am not a bright white paper reader myself so love it when I see this!

Mayra has also provided a page for the adults at the back about how we can approach this topic with younger children, offering advice and little activities.

All in all, this is a really lovely book!

[Cathryn Melani (cat.inspired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute read. But also very important as its aimed at helping kids understand and deal with their emotions.

Perfect for a young reader or to be read with younger children.

Through the story, it looks at how quickly emotions can change and ways to deal with sadness and being lonely.

There are also some great suggestion questions to look at after in schools or with your child.

This is a quick read, but is beautifully illustrated so there can be lots of discussion after about the story and what the illustrations are showing us.

Books can be a great way to help kids deal with and understand life and this book is the perfect example of that while at the same time being a sweet and enjoyable book.

This would make a great gift for a child or to donate to your child's school

Thanks to LiterallyPr for my gifted book. all thoughts are my own.

[Lauren Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my 6 year old son, Elliot. When I asked him what he thought about the book, he said:

“I like this book, it was a good story. I liked the pictures with the pink light and when the boy found the pink light. I think a blue light would be when you are sad”

As a parent, reading this book to my son… I liked that the story explores sadness and how important it is to recognise this feeling in yourself and in others. Also, that we can help others find joy when we are feeling happy and loved ourselves. This was a really heartwarming read.

The illustrations are beautiful and really brought the story to life.

Elliot enjoyed doing the exercise at the end of the book and said that his bed is his happy place!

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very competent way to show a child gaining self love, when everything stops being fine and he feels lonely. He finds a pink light that he is able to literally take on board and stow away for future use – and for future sharing. The text is quietly meditative, as are many techniques the author seems to be very qualified to put on paper in future such books, I'm sure. Decent artwork brightens the page, and almost makes this feel a book you would read for pleasure, and not just for the lesson it imparts. Almost, mind – hence four stars and no further; this is a decent attempt but probably remains one of those books to be diagnosed rather than pick yourself.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a young boy who just can't seem to get over his deep, sudden sadness. When he comes across a magically vibrant, bright pink light, he soon discovers that allowing it to fill his heart will help comfort and sustain him, even when he can't see it!

This is simple enough for kiddos to understand, but powerful enough to remind adults that we, too, can always call on our inner light. Beautifully illustrated and deeply resounding in its message!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in THE BOY AND THE PINK LIGHT are The illustrations in THE BOY AND THE PINK LIGHT are utterly gorgeous. Simple yet evocative. I absolutely adore this art style.
The story itself is okay, though I must admit it didn’t deliver enough for me. It’s very simplistic and doesn’t add anything new. As much as I love the pictures themselves, the message feels a little too “If you’re sad, you just gotta be positive,” instead of actually processing the sadness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Literally PR Ltd. for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for children to read with someone or on their own if they are a little older. It is about emotions and how to cope when feeling sad or lonely. The pink light represents comfort, reassurance and protection - something we all need, whatever our age. I thought the size of the book and the font used were perfect and the illustrations by Line Andersen just beautiful. This would be a great asset in a classroom, facilitating a safe place for discussions around feelings and protective factors.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy and the Pink Light was a lovely story that shows we are not alone even when we feel like we are. I loved how this was worded and how direct but sensitive it was. As a parent I felt it would be perfect for children to read or even listen to it being read to them.
The illustrations that accompanied the story were great and really helped visualise the storyline.
Arthur and I read this together and we loved the story and the message it gave out. Arthur asked lots of questions whilst we were reading and he decided he has a pink light too and he's going to share it with his friends.

[Margaret Pemberton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful and heartwarming story about how we all need help sometimes.  The text is simple and yet very warm and caring, so that a child can feel empathy with the story.  The delicate illustrations also bring a sense of calm and an understanding of the issues that we all face.  It will make a wonderful addition to any classroom or library for Foundation to KS1 children. Thank you to the publisher for the chance to take part in the blog tour and to give an honest review about this book.

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a teacher assistant and meditation teacher, this book offers a calm, gentle approach to helping children manage frustration and anxiety.
The idea of imagining a “pink bubble full of love” inside the heart is sweet and soothing (though, of course, real-life emotions aren’t always that easy to manage).
Still, it’s a peaceful and reassuring read that might help open a conversation about mindfulness with young kids.

Thanks NetGalley for ARC

[Alis Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my grandson and, although at just two years old I felt he was a little young to grasp the full meaning, it’s definitely a story we can return to time and time again as he grows. The illustrations are beautiful, and the words are heartfelt and meaningful.
This is a lovely book to share with children of different ages—a story that not only delights in the moment but also offers deeper meaning as they get older. A true keepsake for the bookshelf.

[Nicola Malloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books like this are so important, they help children explore their emotions and how they can learn to understand them and not only that but embrace them. I really enjoyed how warm this book felt and the way in which it guides the reader with practical things they can do with their own emotions. The illustrations are beautiful and the water colour style is one of my favourites, overall this book was simply stunning and is a lovely addition to our shelves

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book with my child!
We were able to discuss difficult feelings afterwards & how the method described in this book could help.
The story is simply & clearly told & the illustrations are so detailed & enchanting it’s a pleasure to take time over.
Thoroughly recommend!

[Rudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book. Warm and heartfelt, a lovely story to read with little ones, opening the discussion on how sadness and emotions can be overcome and that they will pass. Beautiful illustrations. A book that can bring you closer to your children.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I get the whole concept of the pink light from a child's point of view, for me as an adult I found it to be a little confusing...

💡What's the pink light made of...is it imaginary conjured by the need for comfort?

💡Where does the pink light originate?

That aside, it is illustrated with some beautiful watercolour drawings and a story which is guaranteed to touch the heart.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book teaching emotional strength to children, perfectly written for children with lovely artwork throughout. I read with all my grandchildren, which prompted questions and discussions. Recommended.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a great book to read and I loved the books message.

The story was well written and it was easy to read and understand.

The illustrations in the book were great and they brought the story to life too.

It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

[Mrs Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a normally happy little boy gets his with sadness, a glowing pink light comes to him to help him through. Great for little ones, wonderful message.

[Prerana Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. The paintings and illustrations were so good and the message was clear. There is light in all of us and sometimes we just fail to see it.