Superluminous

In Superluminous, author-illustrator Ian De Haes has created an uplifting story about a glowing little girl. Nour (whose name means “light” in Arabic) is headed off to her first day of school. Like so many kindergarteners-to-be, she’s a little worried about entering a new environment surrounded by strangers. Her classmates are less than impressed with her glow, and Nour’s light dims – until she realizes that her light can help the others around her.

The illustrations glow with warm yellows and turquoises. Even in the darkest moments in the book when Nour questions her abilities, there is still a gentle golden light illuminating the way forward. Although it is not specified in the book’s front matter, it looks as if De Haes applies warm-toned watercolour and coloured pencil media to a lightly textured surface which is then digitally edited. This process creates illustrations that are both at once cozy and radiant. De Haes’ experience as a professional graphic designer is clear in the way he lays out the illustrations and spreads, skillfully guiding readers from page to page. Even in quiet scenes, De Haes uses whirls and spirals to create a dynamic feeling and directs the reader’s eye to the protagonist. Little Nour is at the heart of this book.

Young readers may relate to Nour’s nervousness around strangers and crowds. Superluminous lets young readers know that it is okay to prefer playing alone and to feel uncertain about big changes. This book explores empathy and bravery and the everyday ways in which young children can be superheroes in their lives. It is written in an age-appropriate voice; Nour sounds like a real four or five-year-old, especially with wholehearted exclamations like “[s]he wants to light up all the little sisters and brothers in the world, so nobody is ever scared again” (p. 28).

Superluminous also thoughtfully walks young readers through parts of Nour’s day, like picking out her clothes and giving her mother and father hugs, thereby providing opportunities for readers to relate their daily routine to the protagonist’s. Readers may also find familiarity in Nour’s world where there are people of different skin tones. Although it is not described in the text, an illustration shows that Nour, her father and her baby sister have brown skin and textured black curls, and her mother has light skin and straight blond hair. It is encouraging to see increasing representations of loving mixed race families in children’s books.

Superluminous is not a book about race, but it, nevertheless, presents a positive perspective on racial diversity and acceptance.

While many books for preschool-aged readers feature brash and bold protagonists, Superluminous presents an alternative role model, one who is a little shy and unsure of herself but who learns that her uniqueness can help brighten the world. Superluminous would be a great addition to a school or public library and is recommended for readers who might feel a little nervous about starting at preschool or kindergarten.