Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night

PreS-Gr 1--A child and an adult, both with pale skin, explore luminous species found in the dark. This nonfiction picture book can easily be read with just the short, poetic primary text that invites readers to use their imaginations about what it might be like to make their own light. More curious readers can dive deeper into the short sidebars that detail the type of bioluminescence being described and shown in the illustrations. Kuo presents information that will intrigue children and make them feel they have learned something new without feeling as though they are being taught. The book briefly mentions light pollution and manufactured light. The illustrations lend themselves to a feeling of dreaminess or being in space. The varying shades of blue, white, yellow, and orange against a black background immediately evoke the glow of bioluminescence. VERDICT Lovely in tone and presentation, this recommended book lacks back matter, but the information may inspire readers to do further research on their own.--Heather Webb

"With two-level text and illustrations that almost seem to glow, Kuo presents the phenomenon of bioluminescence ... simple, poetic text and striking images make for an effective group read-aloud. A surprisingly simple yet mesmerizing introduction to a wonder of the natural world."

—Kirkus STARRED Review

"Appealing....Engaging, informative."
— Booklist

Praise for I Dream of Popo written by Livia Blackburne, illustrated by Julia Kuo

"...Faithful representations of Chinese-language signage, street scenes, and cityscapes evoke nostalgia for those familiar with Taiwan and its vibrant food culture. Whimsical depictions of Chinese New Year at home and Popo's kitchen are authentic, down to the accurate details on a calendar, dumpling making from scratch, and the iconic rice cooker. Readers will connect with this visual story on various levels or learn something new; possibly both."
—Kirkus STARRED Review

"...Digital illustrations evoking vintage advertisements have an effectively nostalgic quality, enhanced by abstract-colored skies, a subtle rice paper-like texture, and a subdued mid-century modern palette, while contemporary touches, including spreads of the girl and Popo video chatting, ground the story in the present day. A richly nuanced narrative that illuminates the interstices of one family's diasporic experience."
—Publishers Weekly STARRED Review

Praise for The Sound of Silence written by Katrina Goldsaito, illustrated by Julia Kuo

"Every detail of this book brings Japan vividly to life, from popular storefronts and cartoon characters to commuters wearing surgical masks and children removing their outside shoes at school. Japanese is rich in onomatopoeic sounds, and Goldsaito and Kuo convey this linguistic quirk to English readers both visually and verbally. The elegantly expressive text and illustrations together create an immersive sensory experience for readers."
—Kirkus STARRED Review

"Kuo's digitally colored pen drawings perform glorious double duty, introducing the bustling street scenes and orderly private interiors of Yoshio's beloved Tokyo, and translating the concept of ma into literal and figurative imagery."
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED Review