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Author/Illustrator: Robert Nutt
Retail Price: Paperback • $8.95 | Hardback • $16.95 From under her bedcovers on a warm summer’s night, Amy peers at dark shadows on the wall that seem at least twenty feet tall. Suddenly she sees a faint flicker of light from the window! Amy discovers a magical light in her own backyard. As she learns about the light, she also learns about the light within herself. Here is a story to brighten one’s evenings – any time of year. Inspiration for the book came to Robert one summer evening when he and his wife were walking and came up on a house with a yard full of dancing, flickering lights. At that moment, he knew he would write about it. That night, in bed, the verse just started to come – it “just started spilling out of me, and I wrote it down.” |
— Kirkus Reviews (April 2010)
From the opening lines of his brief prologue, Robert Nutt transports readers into the warm, seemingly endless evenings of summer, evoking idyllic memories of childhood past. Written in sweet, simple verse, perfect for reading aloud, Amy’s Light is a dazzlingly illustrated tale of a young girl who, fascinated by the dancing of fireflies that illuminate the night outside her window, triumphs over her fear of darkness and ventures out, drawn to their glimmering lights. The digital illusions Nutt has created with the photo-illustrations of his daughter Amy are utterly enchanting and intensify the magical allure of this picture book. The book closes with additional information about fireflies and a note from the author, as well as instructions for downloading a Flash video version of the story, narrated by Nutt’s other daughter, Christina.
— The Bloomsbury Review (Summer 2010)
“Using enhanced photographs of his daughter enacting the story line, Nutt tells of a girl named Amy who becomes scared of the dark until she sneaks outside to capture some fireflies in a jar. Their light dims in captivity; no longer afraid but fearful for their safety, she sets them free. . . beautifully rendered photo-illustrations. . . .”
— School Library Journal (April 2010)
“Amy’s Light follows Amy on her journey through an especially dark night. We start with Amy’s terror as she hides from the shadows on her walls and end with her realization that she has within herself the ability to keep the shadows at bay. On this path, we discover and explore and learn about the world around us while working through Amy’s fear.
Even amid Amy’s fright, the light of fireflies draws her outside where she dances in the joy of the mysterious wonder. Amy captures the fireflies in a jar and brings them back to her room to help illuminate the darkness, but in captivity, the fireflies being to dim. Amy, realizing this, lets them go and discovers she doesn’t need them after all.
Amy’s Light is highly recommended for younger children who love discovering the wonders of nature. It’s playful rhyme and succinct text makes it approachable and fun to read aloud, and the photo-illustrations based on the author’s daughter will draw children in and help them relate to the main character. Customers can expect to read this one many times over.”
— New Age Retailer – P. J. Hoover (March 2010)
Robert Nutt has written and illustrated a beautiful tale that recalls a simpler, more innocent time before the constant glow of electronics invaded our lives. Amy, like so many of us, finds herself frightened by the dark of the night. As you read along, you see that she at first seeks comfort from the fireflies flickering outside her window, but eventually finds strength from within, a wonderful lesson for someone of any age. The illustrations are stunning, the words sweetly rhyming. Like all books that become instant favorites, Amy’s Light has many layers and much that can be discussed beyond the story, whether at home or in the classroom. As a teacher, an aunty who loves to buy books for the little ones in her life and a collector of beautifully illustrated children’s books I would highly recommend Amy’s Light. It is a story that both young and old will hold dear for years to come.
Truly a labor of love; love that shines through on every page. Great photos, lyrical text, and a beautiful message combine to form a timeless classic. A book for children and the child in every adult.
Wow! “Amy’s LIght” will brighten anyone’s day. Beautiful images. Sweet story. Magical creatures. Perfect for children and children at heart!
I admit that as Robert’s twin sister, I am a little biased. But I have to admit that when I finally saw the book, the illustrations took my breath away. This was truly a labor of love for Bob, and I think he has published a very nice book. Thank you all for the positive reviews.