This past year the school I work out, Caprock elementary school, became Lighthouse certified through the Leader In Me program. This is a distinguished honor our school has earned as a result of many years successfully implementing the LIM program to empower our Title I students to take ownership of their learning and become life-long leaders and learners. When I happened upon the Caldecott Honor award winning book featuring a lighthouse I thought this would be a wonderful story to share with students as a celebration for all the hard work they have put into helping our school earn our certification and to serve as a reminder of lighthouse symbolism. The question still has to be asked...is this a good book? To evaluate the quality of this picture book I will take a closer look at the illustrations, plot, and accuracy.
One might not think there would be much of a plot when the setting remains the same throughout the entirety of the story. Though the lighthouse remains the same the sea around it changes with the seasons and the weather. The unpredictability of sailors being saved from a storm, the keeper battling illness and the birth of a child will keep readers turning the pages to find out what happens next. The only thing that is predictable in the story is the keeper writing in his logbook. All throughout the story is appears the lighthouse is quite remote, sitting at the edge of the world, but readers will be delighted and surprised when the last pages unfold to show more of the scene...the keepers mainland home just a short boat ride away right off the shore.
While the text propels the story forward the illustrations add breathe and life. Swirling crashing waves capture the motion of the storms that rage on the sea while the streaks of yellow emanating from the lighthouse cutting across the dark cloudy sky, represent a true beacon of hope for those seeking safety and refuge. Blackall cleverly allows readers to see the blueprint of a lighthouse by cutting away walls so each room can be seen, much like a doll house. Readers will also delight in finding the keeper and his wife in each page either peeking out candlelit windows or flying a kite while perched behind the railing at the top of the lighthouse.
Although this is a fictional picture book the author includes a section at the conclusion of the story all about lighthouses. The amount of work that keepers perform to ensure the safety of sailors is highlighted and acknowledged for the important work that it is. For that reason this picture book could be classified as realistic fiction while the amount of time and effort Blackall spent researching and visiting lighthouses reassures readers that this book is an accurate portrayal of life in this life-saving, yet isolating career.
While this story might not immediately appeal to every reader's personal taste the gorgeous illustrations, often surprising plot, and the evidence of the author's authority of her research and sources are all contributing factors that make this a high quality, good book. Readers can benefit by using this book as a window into the lives of lighthouse keepers, or they can use it as a sliding glass door to step into the this fascinating profession. I give this book 4 out of a 5 star rating.
Blackall, S. (2018). Hello lighthouse. Little, Brown and Company.
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