What do you think?
Rate this book
Once Upon a Garden
Lucy's Light
Lucy is a lightning bug and the most talented flyer in the squad. There’s just one problem: she doesn’t light up! When it’s time to learn night flying, Lucy is anxious. She tries everything to get her light to shine but nothing works. Lucy is about to give up when her friends are captured by a nasty toad and his gang, who hatched a plan to brighten up their bog. Does Lucy have what it takes to save her friends? Or is she just an “ordinary” bug after all? A sweet story which shines a light on inner confidence, selfacceptance, and courage. Lucy learns that doing a good deed will always make you shine bright!
32 pages, Hardcover
Published August 20, 2019
30 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 23, 2019
2,5/5. Sympathetic story, maybe even cute, but just nothing much to it, not deep enough, no morale to it, causal illustrations, Could have use a bit more of everything!
October 19, 2019
RATING: 2.5 STARS
2019; American Psychological Association/Magination Press
(Review Not on Blog)
This is a reverse Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer story, where not having a light makes her an outcast. She comes to the rescue and is now a hero. It was an okay story with nice illustrations.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
2019; American Psychological Association/Magination Press
(Review Not on Blog)
This is a reverse Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer story, where not having a light makes her an outcast. She comes to the rescue and is now a hero. It was an okay story with nice illustrations.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
January 6, 2020
Lucy is a lightning bug that is an amazing flier, but doesn't light up. She is worried about being accepted by the others. She practices, but to no avail. When there is a problem and Lucy's friends are in danger, the fact that she doesn't light up saves the day. A nice story about being yourself, accepting your limitations and using your strengths. The illustrations are cute, but nothing extravagant. When I read this to my grandchildren, they felt bad for Lucy and really wanted her to learn to light up. Even though she saved the day at the end, my grandson still wanted her to light up at the end. We talked about how it is important to use your strengths and help others, but he didn't seem to think that was the most important thing. A cute story overall but perhaps he was a bit too young to get the concept. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
May 25, 2019
This book in the Once Upon a Garden series would benefit from a bit more nuance.
July 26, 2019
This is the second book in the Once Upon a Garden series I've read, the first being Sophie's Shell. Technically, Lucy's Light would come first chronologically, but you really don't need to read them in any specific order.
Given how much I enjoyed Sophie's Shell, I was surprised to find that Lucy's Light is nowhere near as good. The editing needs some work (the punctuation is especially bad) and the overall story doesn't really appeal to me. I suppose it's about using your strengths, whatever those might be, even if they're different from the strengths of others.
The illustrations are still really cute, and the toad, frog, and newt villains are formidable without being too scary. The pictures are definitely the strength of this book.
Overall, I was a little bit disappointed. Lucy's Light is still a decent picture book, but it's nowhere near as good as Sophie's Shell.
Thank you to NetGalley and Magination Press for providing a digital ARC.
Given how much I enjoyed Sophie's Shell, I was surprised to find that Lucy's Light is nowhere near as good. The editing needs some work (the punctuation is especially bad) and the overall story doesn't really appeal to me. I suppose it's about using your strengths, whatever those might be, even if they're different from the strengths of others.
The illustrations are still really cute, and the toad, frog, and newt villains are formidable without being too scary. The pictures are definitely the strength of this book.
Overall, I was a little bit disappointed. Lucy's Light is still a decent picture book, but it's nowhere near as good as Sophie's Shell.
Thank you to NetGalley and Magination Press for providing a digital ARC.
January 12, 2020
Lucy's Light (Once Upon a Garden) by Jo Rooks. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2019. $15. 9781433830884
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Lucy the Lightning Bug is great at flying--probably the best in her class. But when the time comes to try night time flying, Lucy is dismayed to discover that she doesn't light up! Feeling pretty ordinary, Lucy is about to head home when the rest of her lit-up class is captured by a group of toads. As the only one who is not visible at night, Lucy is able to rescue the group and learns that doing a good deed can make anyone shine bright.
This is a fun little book about being yourself and recognizing your own unique worth. I enjoyed the illustrations and the fun story made it great to read aloud to kids. I imagine this book would come in handy in teaching citizenship lessons to kids of all ages, but the bug theme will make it most appealing to younger readers.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Lucy the Lightning Bug is great at flying--probably the best in her class. But when the time comes to try night time flying, Lucy is dismayed to discover that she doesn't light up! Feeling pretty ordinary, Lucy is about to head home when the rest of her lit-up class is captured by a group of toads. As the only one who is not visible at night, Lucy is able to rescue the group and learns that doing a good deed can make anyone shine bright.
This is a fun little book about being yourself and recognizing your own unique worth. I enjoyed the illustrations and the fun story made it great to read aloud to kids. I imagine this book would come in handy in teaching citizenship lessons to kids of all ages, but the bug theme will make it most appealing to younger readers.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
October 17, 2019
Lucy is an energetic little lighting bug that is super talented when it comes to her flying skills. She can fly rings around the others in her squad. Unfortunately she has a big problem... poor Lucy does not light up. How can she possibly be a firefly when she cannot shine?
One day, Miss Sparks her teacher, decides it' s time to learn night flying. Everyone in the class is ecstatic about the new development, everyone that is except Lucy.
"Whoever heard of a lightning bug who doesn't light up?" said Lucy. Oh my whatever will her classmates say when they find out she malfunctions.
Luckily her friends are kind to her and accept her with her shortcoming. Still, Lucy feels ashamed and she tries her best to get her light to shine - but to no avail. Oh my! She's a dud for sure she thinks.
Finally Lucy catches up with the others who are now resting on a big rock trying to catch their breath after such a vigorous workout. Then an unexpected and very dangerous event occurs that threatens the very life of all of the squad members. Luckily Lucy's life is spared because she doesn't qualify as a beacon of light for the gloomy bog dwellers who captures the rest of her classmates and imprisons them in a glass jar.
Lucy feels her superpower rise up in her and she knows just what to do with it. Can Lucy become a superhero and save the day? What she has to do does not require her to light up and she rises to the occasion. You go girl! You got this!
The illustrations are colourful and full of activity and emotion. "Lucy's Light" highlights self confidence, bravery, and self-acceptance. Lucy learns it's fine to be different and you can shine from within too as you do good deeds to help out others. I highly recommend this book.
One day, Miss Sparks her teacher, decides it' s time to learn night flying. Everyone in the class is ecstatic about the new development, everyone that is except Lucy.
"Whoever heard of a lightning bug who doesn't light up?" said Lucy. Oh my whatever will her classmates say when they find out she malfunctions.
Luckily her friends are kind to her and accept her with her shortcoming. Still, Lucy feels ashamed and she tries her best to get her light to shine - but to no avail. Oh my! She's a dud for sure she thinks.
Finally Lucy catches up with the others who are now resting on a big rock trying to catch their breath after such a vigorous workout. Then an unexpected and very dangerous event occurs that threatens the very life of all of the squad members. Luckily Lucy's life is spared because she doesn't qualify as a beacon of light for the gloomy bog dwellers who captures the rest of her classmates and imprisons them in a glass jar.
Lucy feels her superpower rise up in her and she knows just what to do with it. Can Lucy become a superhero and save the day? What she has to do does not require her to light up and she rises to the occasion. You go girl! You got this!
The illustrations are colourful and full of activity and emotion. "Lucy's Light" highlights self confidence, bravery, and self-acceptance. Lucy learns it's fine to be different and you can shine from within too as you do good deeds to help out others. I highly recommend this book.
July 23, 2019
Lucy is a firefly who doesn't light up. Despite all her other skills, this difference makes her feel insecure. Eventually, she is able to save all her firefly friends using the very feature that previously embarrassed her. Lucy, and all her classmates, realize that you don't have to have a bright light to shine!
My son and I enjoyed reading this book together. In my opinion, the transition to the bog was a little sudden. As an adult, it was easy to figure out that a bog might be a dangerous place for a bunch of fireflies, but I'm not sure my three year old figured that out. On the second read, I noticed there was a map on the board behind the teacher and it gave a clue that the bog was dangerous, but it was too subtle for my non-reader.
All in all, I think this is a strong story with a nice message for children. The moral is obvious enough that most children would understand without a lot of discussion, but I didn't feel like it was "preachy."
*I was provided a free advanced copy for my honest review.
My son and I enjoyed reading this book together. In my opinion, the transition to the bog was a little sudden. As an adult, it was easy to figure out that a bog might be a dangerous place for a bunch of fireflies, but I'm not sure my three year old figured that out. On the second read, I noticed there was a map on the board behind the teacher and it gave a clue that the bog was dangerous, but it was too subtle for my non-reader.
All in all, I think this is a strong story with a nice message for children. The moral is obvious enough that most children would understand without a lot of discussion, but I didn't feel like it was "preachy."
*I was provided a free advanced copy for my honest review.
August 2, 2023
This is a lovely picture book for a child who may lack confidence, even when really wanting to do something. The story is told through a family of lightning bugs; often nonhuman characters can be helpful in reaching kids.
Lucy is having trouble lighting her light. She is discouraged. What will happen when her friends need her? Will she be able to soar? Adults may know the answer although kids may not take such things for granted.
This book could nicely open up discussion between adults and children. Both may benefit.
The illustrations are beautiful and complement the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the American Psychological Association for this title. All opinions are my own.
Lucy is having trouble lighting her light. She is discouraged. What will happen when her friends need her? Will she be able to soar? Adults may know the answer although kids may not take such things for granted.
This book could nicely open up discussion between adults and children. Both may benefit.
The illustrations are beautiful and complement the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the American Psychological Association for this title. All opinions are my own.
August 8, 2019
While not really that different of a book than many other Children's Picture books, Lucy's Light is still a cute story with a lovely message about how being different can be your true strength. 💖💪
I originally requested Lucy's Light to review it for my young family member named Lucy to hopefully purchase for her once it is available as a physical copy. I can confidently say I'll still be doing that.
***Thank you, Magination Press and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review Lucy's Light.***
I originally requested Lucy's Light to review it for my young family member named Lucy to hopefully purchase for her once it is available as a physical copy. I can confidently say I'll still be doing that.
***Thank you, Magination Press and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review Lucy's Light.***
July 24, 2019
A lovely little story about finding what makes you special and summoning that inner strength. The story was very simple and I would have awarded more stars if there was a little more background to it. The scene changes were very sudden and would have benefited from being more gradual. It was still a lovely little read though.
September 15, 2019
The story started off really well, but i was expecting more from the little fire fly. Lucy was little different from other firefly , he doesnt glow. But how does he stands out from the rest is what the story is all about.
The story changes suddenly which was little difficult to related. .
Illustration made the reading enjoyable.
Looking forward to read to my toddler.
The story changes suddenly which was little difficult to related. .
Illustration made the reading enjoyable.
Looking forward to read to my toddler.
September 23, 2019
These latest books from Jo Rooks and Magination Press are just wonderful. Lucy's Light is a story about not feeling so good about yourself and determining you can still be brave. Lucy isn't sure she quite fits in the with the other lightning bugs, but when they all find themselves in a predicament, Lucy is the one to kick into gear. I will love sharing this story with students.
September 30, 2019
This book is about differences being okay. Lucy is a lightning bug who does light up. She is the best at everything else, but no bioluminescent. Lucy does become a hero in the end when she uses her uniqueness as a tool to help others. This story is typical, and so are the illustrations. Nothing special. But it does make me miss lightning bugs. I haven't seen any in years.
October 7, 2019
I loved the images in this book! They were nice, bright, attractive and cheerful- and my daughter loved them. She is a massive fan of insects, beetles and bugs at the moment so this book was a massive hit with her. I liked the underlying theme too and I thought that the author had done a great job with the story – it is 5 stars from me for this one!
December 2, 2019
A very colourful about Lucy, a lightning bug who does not light up. I really enjoyed the illustrations, the colours, the different ways of how the written words are placed on the paper. Very enjoyable with a good message: find your inner strength and be the light.
June 27, 2020
"Lucy's Light" is an adorable little book that helps children learn the importance of being who you are regardless of how different you may think you are from everyone else. The book teaches a valuable lesson about acceptance and individuality.
July 23, 2019
A cute story about what it means to be different. Lucy was able to reach inside and be strong when she needed to be... different or not.
July 24, 2019
Cute story about having faith in yourself even when you are different. I think kids would enjoy the illustrations and the crazy way some of the writing is on the page.
June 5, 2020
Lucy the lightning bug is fast and helpful, she is a real bright light and knows how to do what's right.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2020
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was cute. It had a fun plot to it. The pictures were cute. It was an okay read.
This was cute. It had a fun plot to it. The pictures were cute. It was an okay read.
November 9, 2022
This book is a quick read but has many valuable lessons within it. I appreciate how the author writes the book, the way it's organized/ the different parts of the story.
June 14, 2024
عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: کرم شب تابی که نور نداشت
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews