Title: Your Light: A Musical Storybook
Lyrics & Music: Jillian Aversa
Illustrator: Marina Lezcano
Genre: Children's Book, Picture Book, Audiobook
Publisher: Self published
Date: January 10, 2019
Length: 28 pages
Review copy from NetGalley
In Jillian Aversa's
heartwarming picture book with accompanying song, a baby bunny dreams of
a fallen star and sets out to find it. Children will delight in the
soft watercolor imagery, magical story, and inspiring lullaby from this
award-winning musician.
Description from Goodreads
Kid 2 is a bunny fan, so I knew I had to read it. I love the watercolor illustrations and I was intrigued by the idea of accompanying music. Since I'm terrible at bedtime stories (I amp up the kids instead of calming them down) I thought this might be a nice solution.
What I liked
Illustrations: They are soooo lovely. I love watercolors and these illustrations are right up my ally. They get an A+ from me. Kid 2 is also a huge fan and will quietly tell me about the illustrations as we listen to the song in bed.
 |
| Your Light by Jillian Aversa |
 |
| Your Light by Jillian Aversa |
Music: This is less a picture book with music as it is an illustrated song - and it is a lovely illustrated song. It reminds me a lot of music played at a spa, minus the irritating water noises. Aversa's composition is very soothing and relaxing. Kid 1 has always liked to fall asleep to music, and this is exactly the type he likes. I added it to his playlist and he's enjoyed it. Kid 2 is the opposite, she hates bed time music but loves the combination of the book and song. We have walked past her door at night and heard her humming "Your Light" to herself. It's super cute.
Great for bed time: My ideal picture book is loud and funny and possibly someone gets eaten. Your Light is the exact opposite of that, and that's not a bad thing. (This is also why my husband has to repeatedly remind us that it's calm down time when I'm reading bed time stories.) It has been my daughter's first choice for many, many nights. My husband's cousin is expecting her first baby and I know this is a book she would enjoy. So while this book isn't as exuberant as I typically like, I think it will be a good fit for many. And let's be honest, it's a great ease-your-child-to-sleep book and song.
What I'm on the fence about
This is a song turned into a book and it has the typical weaknesses: Over the years I've tried to read books that are really just illustrated lyrics. While they might be great for classroom activities and units, most times they just don't work as read alouds. While the lyrics might have a good message, part of what makes it a popular song is missing when it's simply read. It is always better to play the song, look at the pictures, and read along get the full experience. This book is ok on it's own, but much better with Aversa's original song.
Very sentimental and sweet: Your Light is based on a song written by a new mother for her daughter. It can come across as a bit saccharine, but parents get that way with babies. It doesn't matter if it's your first or your fifth, you still have all these hopes and dreams for your child. However, it is less cheesy when the song tells the story.
Rating: 4
This book is a perfect lullaby book - soothing colors, dreamy illustrations, and soft song that eases you into sleep. I believe it's better listened to than read aloud as the illustrations really fit the original song.
Your Light would be a great gift for new parents: a pretty book and a lovely bedtime song that reflects a bit of their dreams and love for their child. Bonus for when the child is old enough to really enjoy story time: snuggle up, play the song, close your eyes, and remember to turn the pages at the right time because parents have got to sneak in some rest whenever they can. I did this last night. We are all struggling with a rough cold and I just arrowed through the NetGalley copy while the song played. So happy not to have to talk and rest my eyes with bonus snuggles. It was great.
Do you have any bedtime story memories? My parents didn't read stories to us. Dad used to make up ridiculous stories and sing them to the tune of Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral. (Please note that my dad is a terrible singer, but I still remember some of these songs and how his voice would crack.) My mom would read us poems. I had a slumber party in third grade and she scared the crap out of us with Poe's "The Raven". (Over the years I've run into a few of these girls again and they've commented that mom's rendition of that poem has stuck with them.) While working in the elementary school, a surprising amount of Friday after school time was spent helping parents pick out new bed time books. I love the parents who read a chapter a night to their kids and then struggle not to cheat and read ahead later on. One mom said she got in trouble with her kids when they caught her reading ahead on Percy Jackson.
