Northern Lights A to Z. Mindy Dwyer. Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books (Distributed in Canada by Publishers Group Canada), 2007. 32 pp., pbk., $13.50. ISBN 978-1-57061-515-3. Subject Heading: Auroras-Popular works. Grades 3-7 / Ages 8-12. Review by Sandi Harrison. ***½ /4

excerpt: 

Aurora, the ancient Roman goddess of dawn, names the northern lights for a fantastic sunrise.

Borealis comes from the Latin word “boreal” which means “northern.” Boreas was the Greek god of the north wind.

Colours of the northern lights correspond to gases in the atmosphere at different altitudes. Oxygen creates red and yellow-green light while nitrogen produces blue and violet.

Mindy Dewer’s Northern Lights is an alphabet book with vibrant illustrations that explores fact and folklore about the “mysterious” aurora borealis in the Arctic. Dewer’s illustrations engage the reader first and foremost. The muted, stylized watercolours splash across every page like the glowing of the northern lights.

     The language, though dense, is suitable for any curious child. It is likely that the reader will encounter unfamiliar terms, like Laplanders or magnetic north, as well as the names of Greek gods and goddesses that may spark discussion. This book would be a useful addition to a geography unit, and could be used as a model for children to create their own alphabet book about a research topic of their choice.

     Northern Lights is an appealing, educational, and interesting look at an amazing natural phenomenon.

Highly Recommended.

Sandi Harrison is a recent graduate of the Master of Arts in Children’s Literature program at the University of British Columbia.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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