Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night

Books
Written By Julia Kuo

Pub. November 22 • Greystone Books • Written by Julia Kuo

Kids 4 to 8 will marvel at the brightly glowing creatures and other living organisms in this stunning, poetic, and science-based exploration of bioluminescence.

When it’s dark out, we need light to see. But what if your body could make its own light? 

From acclaimed author-illustrator Julia Kuo comes a remarkable picture book about bioluminescence, the light made from living things, and its many forms: fireflies and foxfire, fungi and glow-worms, deep-sea fish and vampire squids. 

Kuo’s radiant art portrays a young child and adult discovering different bioluminescent creatures, accompanied by simple lyrical text and informative sidebars that reveal fascinating scientific facts about each of them.

An introduction to an extraordinary natural phenomenon, Luminous shines a light upon how truly wondrous the world is.

Luminous features: 

  • Brilliant and unique illustrations: The depiction of vibrant bioluminescent species against an unusual black backdrop creates an unforgettable visual experience for readers.

  • The science of bioluminescence: Shares the real-life magic of bioluminescence with sidebars about the various places and species in which bioluminescence is found.

  • Text can be read on two levels: Kuo’s simple and poetic narrative is accompanied by scientific facts about bioluminescence.

 
 

Events

In-Person Event at Brick & Mortar Books
Saturday, October 29 at 2pm PT
Picture Book Event: Suzanne Kaufman, Amy Hevron, and Julia Kuo

Online Event at Books of Wonder
Sunday, November 13 at 1pm ET
Great Non-Fiction Picture Books: Picture Books for Curious Minds!
Watch the replay here

Online Event with Lightsources.org
Illustrating Science: A conversation with Julia Kuo and Steven Haddock
Watch the recording here

Signing and Reading at Cover to Cover Children’s Books
Sunday, April 21 at 1pm ET

 
 

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Learn About How I Work

Learn about how I did research for this book!

Process for Luminous
 
 

Critical Praise

“With a two-level text and illustrations that almost seem to glow, Kuo presents the phenomenon of bioluminescence to younger readers and listeners through the imagined explorations of a parent and child who are tan-skinned and dark-haired and outlined in tan.”

“The simple, poetic text and striking images make for an effective group read-aloud. Most spreads also include more extensive information in a short expository paragraph in a smaller font.”

“A surprisingly simple yet mesmerizing introduction to a wonder of the natural world.”

-Kirkus starred review

“Saturated turquoise and vermilion figures pop off velvety black and blue backgrounds in this beguiling introduction to bioluminescent creatures. As a child and adult with tan skin and dark hair walk through the inky night with a flashlight, Kuo (Let’s Do Everything and Nothing) defines light as “a kind of energy that our eyes can see.”

“Breathtaking spreads introduce foxfire, glowworms, and more as incandescent lines trace the filaments and tentacles of the sea creatures that live in the ocean depths where much bioluminescent life is found.”

”It’s a revealing book whose visual appeal, like bioluminescence itself, lures unsuspecting readers in.”

- Publisher’s weekly starred review

“ ‘What if your body could make its own light?’ In Kuo’s gorgeous exploration of bioluminescence, an adult and child encounter organisms that do just that in the air, sea, and underground. The black-backgrounded illustrations creatively employ negative space and a limited palette—almost exclusively blue, orange, tan, and white—to produce images that effectively capture the subdued glow of bioluminescent life.”

“The poetic main text, which encourages observation and wonder, is accompanied by short paragraphs, in a smaller font, that present factual information about the featured organisms. The final pages issue a gentle warning that human-caused light pollution is making this amazing phenomenon increasingly difficult to see.” 

- Horn Book starred review

“The arresting illustrations steal the show: full-page black backgrounds, evoking dark nights, caves, and deep-sea caverns, are sprinkled with bits of luminescence rendered in shades of light purple, icy blue, and pure white.”

”All of these natural wonders are observed by a young girl with brown skin and her adult companion as they silently hike, glide, or float through various environments, with no conversation needed.”

- Booklist starred review

“The CTRO Advisory Council characterized Luminous as ‘lovely narrative nonfiction that engages and entices readers to wonder while they learn,’ praised the captivating and informative illustrations, and appreciated that scientific explanations are integrated into the page spreads of the story, rather than being relegated to back matter.”

- 2024 Floyd’s Pick Book Award Winner announcement

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