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Seeking an Aurora
In the quiet of the night, a child’s father bundles them up and shows them the majesty of an aurora. This book is perfect for those who love Owl Moon.
A father wakes his child from sleep to beckon, “Come—we’re off to find an Aurora.” Through the silent frost, across fields, and up hills they climb…And then they wait. Together they share an unforgettable moment and the majestic splendor of the northern and southern lights.
This moving and lyrical story is paired with scientific information about the awe-inspiring northern and southern lights to further inspire readers to seek their own natural wonders. Printed on FSC-certified paper with vegetable-based inks.
A father wakes his child from sleep to beckon, “Come—we’re off to find an Aurora.” Through the silent frost, across fields, and up hills they climb…And then they wait. Together they share an unforgettable moment and the majestic splendor of the northern and southern lights.
This moving and lyrical story is paired with scientific information about the awe-inspiring northern and southern lights to further inspire readers to seek their own natural wonders. Printed on FSC-certified paper with vegetable-based inks.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published January 19, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 7, 2021
Gorgeous art done with pastels and a simple storyline introduce young readers to the aurora winter lights. A brief end section explains the origin of these amazing displays— called the aurora borealis above the North Pole and aurora australis above the South Pole. A treat for children and adults alike!
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 19 Jan 2021
#SeekinganAurora #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Blue Dot Kids Press, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 19 Jan 2021
#SeekinganAurora #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Blue Dot Kids Press, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
April 6, 2021
Having seen the Aurora Borealis as a teenager, I can tell you that few things I’ve ever seen or heard are quite like it. The crackling sound, the vibrant light that radiates from the sky, the sheer size of it all happening on a cold winter’s night.
Seeking an Aurora is clever in that it doesn’t define if it’s the northern or southern Aurora that our boy and his father are seeing. While written and illustrated by an Australian we can assume she intended it to be south; but it works just as well for the northern hemisphere.
I wouldn’t have thought there was a colour palette in the world that could show the glimmering light on the dark night sky of the Aurora. I was wrong. The pastels that are used here are brilliant. The page is obviously coloured in black or deep purples and blues; then our characters and the Aurora blended overtop (I think anyways) and it pops so well. I adore the look and feel of the pages in this enchanting children’s book.
A perfect before bedtime story for any little one. The kind of book that a child might keep long into their adult years because it’s beautiful and feels like it is imparting a secret of the Earth to the reader.
I hope to one day see the Aurora borealis again. I live almost far enough north in Canada; but inside a city too large to see them well if they are seen this far south. In the meantime this book is a gorgeous representation of the solar winds and the truly glorious colours they bring to our sky.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Seeking an Aurora is clever in that it doesn’t define if it’s the northern or southern Aurora that our boy and his father are seeing. While written and illustrated by an Australian we can assume she intended it to be south; but it works just as well for the northern hemisphere.
I wouldn’t have thought there was a colour palette in the world that could show the glimmering light on the dark night sky of the Aurora. I was wrong. The pastels that are used here are brilliant. The page is obviously coloured in black or deep purples and blues; then our characters and the Aurora blended overtop (I think anyways) and it pops so well. I adore the look and feel of the pages in this enchanting children’s book.
A perfect before bedtime story for any little one. The kind of book that a child might keep long into their adult years because it’s beautiful and feels like it is imparting a secret of the Earth to the reader.
I hope to one day see the Aurora borealis again. I live almost far enough north in Canada; but inside a city too large to see them well if they are seen this far south. In the meantime this book is a gorgeous representation of the solar winds and the truly glorious colours they bring to our sky.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
October 8, 2022
Gorgeous pastel illustrations and a beautifully written story. Loved it! Seeing an aurora has been on the top of my life goals for simply ages.
December 22, 2021
A children’s book recommended by Maria Popova. Very colorful and sweet story.
February 2, 2021
A wonderful narrative tale that celebrates both the Northern Lights and the value of shared nature adventures. The story is thoughtful and engaging, paired with lovely illustrations that honor the subject. I will say: this story is compared to Owl Moon but I think the narrative in this one works for a younger audience than Owl Moon. There's just a little less to it and better for shorter attention spans.
The end of the book contains a brief description of the Northern Lights for those interested in learning more.
Great for nature-loving families!
**Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Blue Dot Press. Opinions are my own.
The end of the book contains a brief description of the Northern Lights for those interested in learning more.
Great for nature-loving families!
**Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Blue Dot Press. Opinions are my own.
January 19, 2021
This is reminiscent of Owl Moon - a quiet night, a child and a father, walking through the frost. The art is also really beautiful.
ARC provided in exchange for review via NetGalley.
ARC provided in exchange for review via NetGalley.
January 7, 2021
A soft and sweet story about a father and child seeing the aurora. The artwork is stunning and the story is a simple and easy read. It would make a great story for kids!
*Thanks Netgalley and Publisher SpotlightBlue Dot Kids Press for sending me an arc*
*Thanks Netgalley and Publisher SpotlightBlue Dot Kids Press for sending me an arc*
January 7, 2021
A cute picture book about a Father and Son who take a quick journey to find the Aurora. Illustrations are beautiful and vibrant. This would be a great short picture book to read before bedtime or in a classroom. I could see this being in an Art classroom or Science lesson.
July 29, 2021
Very cool! This New Zealand export depicts a father waking his child in the night to go see the aurora. The pastel illustrations work perfectly for this (though my copy seemed like it might be somewhat poorly printed). A note at the end shares more. I knew about northern lights, but I didn't know there are southern lights! Aurora australis. I wonder if you can see them in New Zealand.
"The illustrations in this book are hand-drawn using soft pastels on Canson Mi-Teintes pastel paper."
"The illustrations in this book are hand-drawn using soft pastels on Canson Mi-Teintes pastel paper."
December 9, 2020
This review originally published in Looking For a Good book. Rated 3.5 of 5
A father wakes his child late at night and together they get dressed to go outside, walk through frosty fields with the child watching quietly, wondering where they might be going, until the father stops and they quietly share the wonder of looking at the beautiful aurora borealis.
For those of us who've read a few children's books, this story is almost page-by-page similar to the modern classic, Owl Moon. Comparisons are going to be made.
But what matters isn't so much what we adults, who are familiar with a few more books, might think. What matters is how much our children and grandchildren will enjoy having the book read to them. And children will enjoy this.
Most adults I know still get excited to see the aurora borealis. There is a majesty about these glowing green and pink lights in a night sky that has us stop and stare or even seek them out if we know conditions are 'right' for them. So imagine the sense of awe for a child.
Nothing can beat seeing them for real, of course, but this little book is a wonderful way to get a child excited about the idea of seeing auroras.
The true test for a children's book, is will a child want the book to be read to them again and again and again (and will the adults be up for multiple readings of the book)? My guess is yes.
Looking for a good book? Elizabeth Pulford's picture book, Seeking an Aurora, is a good book to have (or to give) for anyone with young children.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
A father wakes his child late at night and together they get dressed to go outside, walk through frosty fields with the child watching quietly, wondering where they might be going, until the father stops and they quietly share the wonder of looking at the beautiful aurora borealis.
For those of us who've read a few children's books, this story is almost page-by-page similar to the modern classic, Owl Moon. Comparisons are going to be made.
But what matters isn't so much what we adults, who are familiar with a few more books, might think. What matters is how much our children and grandchildren will enjoy having the book read to them. And children will enjoy this.
Most adults I know still get excited to see the aurora borealis. There is a majesty about these glowing green and pink lights in a night sky that has us stop and stare or even seek them out if we know conditions are 'right' for them. So imagine the sense of awe for a child.
Nothing can beat seeing them for real, of course, but this little book is a wonderful way to get a child excited about the idea of seeing auroras.
The true test for a children's book, is will a child want the book to be read to them again and again and again (and will the adults be up for multiple readings of the book)? My guess is yes.
Looking for a good book? Elizabeth Pulford's picture book, Seeking an Aurora, is a good book to have (or to give) for anyone with young children.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2021
A child is awoken by their father in the middle of the night. They head outside into the winter darkness, past the dogs and the cows. The father explains that they are going to see an Aurora, but the child doesn’t know what that means. Are stars in the Aurora? Is the moon? They head up the hill, their breath steaming in the icy air. They sit on the stony ground and look up, marveling together at the colors that streak the sky as the aurora borealis appears. They are silent until their walk back to the house, when the father shares what he knows about the aurora.
Originally published in New Zealand, this picture book is quiet and focused on a specific natural phenomenon. The book is told in very simple language, making it accessible for small children. The gender of the main character is never revealed, since the book is told from their point of view. The anticipation of discovering what the aurora is isn’t lessened by knowing about it ahead of time. The amazement and delight are infectious.
Bannock’s art is full of color even in the nighttime home. Warm reds, bright yellows, deep purples all fill the pages. The colors become more muted as they head outside, the night sky black above them and the stars vivid against it. The icy winter night is shown with a sickle of a moon, bare tree branches, and a layer of snow. The colors of the aurora are captured beautifully in a grand and stirring way that lifts the heart.
Quiet, personal and incredibly moving, this is a glimpse of a natural wonder. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Originally published in New Zealand, this picture book is quiet and focused on a specific natural phenomenon. The book is told in very simple language, making it accessible for small children. The gender of the main character is never revealed, since the book is told from their point of view. The anticipation of discovering what the aurora is isn’t lessened by knowing about it ahead of time. The amazement and delight are infectious.
Bannock’s art is full of color even in the nighttime home. Warm reds, bright yellows, deep purples all fill the pages. The colors become more muted as they head outside, the night sky black above them and the stars vivid against it. The icy winter night is shown with a sickle of a moon, bare tree branches, and a layer of snow. The colors of the aurora are captured beautifully in a grand and stirring way that lifts the heart.
Quiet, personal and incredibly moving, this is a glimpse of a natural wonder. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
May 16, 2022
This past winter, people posted such spectacular aurora photos, I decided to share some of them with my young readers and talk about what an aurora is. But first, I read them this beautiful story about a father who wakes up his young son in the middle of a winter night. They dress warmly and head outside, walking up a high hill and waiting. The boy, our narrator, doesn't know what an aurora is and has lots of questions for his dad: Is it scary? Are there stars in an aurora, is the moon in it? It's pitch dark at the top of the hill, and father and son sit down to wait, when suddenly his dad tells the boy to turn around. When he does, the boy is surprised by the beautiful 'wings of light' in the sky 'Dancing light, glowing and glimmering, shimmering and shining, colored ribbons swirling and twirling, lighting up the sky on the still, dark night." On their way home, the boy's father tells him everything he knows about aurora and that is exactly what the back matter consists of. The soft pastel illustrations really capture (as much as you can capture a natural phenomena) the colors and dance of an aurora. This book is a perfect introduction to auroras for young readers, many of whom, like mine, may never see a real aurora. You can download an helpful teacher's guide for grades 1-4 HERE. I found it helpful even though my kiddos are younger.
December 30, 2021
I oddly had high hopes for this, and it was a wonderful little read until the last page where it lost the magic and became too factual.
We follow a child and their father (very gender neutral which is super, any child can imagine themselves here I think) hike up to a spot in the night to watch the aurora (undetermined if it's northern or southern but I'll assume southern because this is an NZ book). They marvel at the glory of the aurora which makes you feel like you're on the cusp of a meaningful moment (or lesson?) between the two, then it cuts to the last page where they're sitting in the kitchen and the dad is explaining what an aurora is. It lost the magic which makes me sad because this is the point where fairy tales and nature exist. Oh well.
Filed under: we'll see if any of the kids enjoy this over the next few years.
We follow a child and their father (very gender neutral which is super, any child can imagine themselves here I think) hike up to a spot in the night to watch the aurora (undetermined if it's northern or southern but I'll assume southern because this is an NZ book). They marvel at the glory of the aurora which makes you feel like you're on the cusp of a meaningful moment (or lesson?) between the two, then it cuts to the last page where they're sitting in the kitchen and the dad is explaining what an aurora is. It lost the magic which makes me sad because this is the point where fairy tales and nature exist. Oh well.
Filed under: we'll see if any of the kids enjoy this over the next few years.
June 6, 2022
Hmmm... I've seen books that are more obviously successful at what they wanted, that's for sure. This very poetic telling is a too-simple story, of a child woken up by their father, and taken up to the top of a dark hill in the depth of the night, to be shown the aurorae. While the word use – the kitchen left behind and the light coming from its windows twice called "buttery" – may be strong, it may not be what the target reader wants, and I think this is lacking throughout, in both surprise and the final bit of visual splendour to convey the phenomenon. It's by no means a failure, but I did find it underwhelming, and to me a science book that includes the experience of watching them alongside a gamut of other things would always be a more essential purchase. Either that or something that paired them with a much more worthwhile narrative.
October 4, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Blue Dot Kids Press through Edelweiss+.
Pulford shares a tender story of a father sharing a beautiful event with his child. They set out in the night to find the Aurora. Together, they experience the beauty of these lights and return home with a strong memory and connection. I love the "Everything Dad Knows About the Aurora" information page at the end. Scientific information given to readers and woven in as part of the story.
The illustrations capture the full experience. Readers can feel the love in this family. They can see and understand how chilly it is to be out and that it is worth it to see this.
Pulford shares a tender story of a father sharing a beautiful event with his child. They set out in the night to find the Aurora. Together, they experience the beauty of these lights and return home with a strong memory and connection. I love the "Everything Dad Knows About the Aurora" information page at the end. Scientific information given to readers and woven in as part of the story.
The illustrations capture the full experience. Readers can feel the love in this family. They can see and understand how chilly it is to be out and that it is worth it to see this.
February 2, 2021
Seeing the Aurora is on my bucket list. And that is one of the reasons I checked out this book. I enjoyed the companionship of the father and son though it did seem odd that the child did not know what the aurora was. And the illustrations were quite lovely. There is some information about the aurora included. But - it does not say, for example, where the best places to glimpse an aurora are. In the United States, for example, viewing opportunities are fairly limited. But it will open a window for children (and adults) who have never heard of the aurora before. Or don't know how to explain it.
February 27, 2021
This book reminded me of Owl Moon. I was torn with this book. The writing is descriptive and gentle but I almost feel like the author was trying too hard to make the writing sound lyrical. Like it doesn't flow naturally to me. I also didn't really care for the illustration style except for the actual Aurora illustration.
It would be a cute book if you happen to be talking to a kid about auroras but I don't see it really catching the interest of most kids.
It would be a cute book if you happen to be talking to a kid about auroras but I don't see it really catching the interest of most kids.
June 9, 2021
This book came to me at an interesting time. I was just out west visiting some certified dark sky places and we were looking for the milky way. We didn't do our research ahead and realized we had to look at specific times of night and we also needed clear skies with a new moon. Eventually, we got it right. So it seems this father did some research before he got his son out of bed at night to go look at the aurora. It is a cute story about a father and child appreciating nature. This is how I envision my children being parents.
January 28, 2021
This is a beautiful story about a father and son going in search of the aurora lights. The story is poetic and gentle, perfect for a bedtime story. The illustrations match the soft and peaceful tone of the story. I also liked the information about aurora light displays at the end. This is an enjoyable read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Elizabeth Pulford (author) and Anne Bannock (illustrator) for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Elizabeth Pulford (author) and Anne Bannock (illustrator) for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2021
Giving this an extra star because the illustrations are so lovely. This is a very gentle, albeit one-dimensional story. I'm not exactly sure who the audience is as my kids all know what an aurora is so the "mystery" is a little anticlimactic. My guess is this might be interesting to a 2-4 year old who has never heard of one, but they might find the book boring..? I'll see what rating my 6 year old gives it.
February 13, 2021
This book is a beautiful and poetic exploration of a young boy and his father in search of an Aurora. Poetic imagery accompanied by soft pastel and watercolor illustrations transported me into this quiet adventure. This would be an excellent book for storytime, short and simple in text, with the mystery of the Aurora drawn out until the end. Back matter tells more about the science behind the Aurora and makes for a satisfying end to the little story.
April 27, 2022
A simple story of a boy and father going out at night to see an "aurora" (not sure if it is borealis or australis). It is the child's first time seeing an aurora, so he doesn't know what to expect. "Dad, are stars in the Aurora?" the child asks as they wander through the silent night. Then the aurora appears in a "shimmering" speechless display!
This book is written in lovely verse with hand-drawn pastel. What a cozy winter read!
This book is written in lovely verse with hand-drawn pastel. What a cozy winter read!
February 9, 2021
great read and I absolutely loved the little scientific explanation in the end.
I believe its never too early or too late to learn something especially when its science.
it may seem an impossible feet to be able to bring your children to see the wonders of the world but no child should miss out on reading about them.
I believe its never too early or too late to learn something especially when its science.
it may seem an impossible feet to be able to bring your children to see the wonders of the world but no child should miss out on reading about them.
March 13, 2021
Reminds me of Owl Moon because you have a father taking a child out in the cold night to see something both natural and magical.
In this case, the child doesn't know why they're going, but they walk out a long ways and sit and eventually see an aurora.
In this case, the child doesn't know why they're going, but they walk out a long ways and sit and eventually see an aurora.
December 26, 2021
I love the beautiful artwork, and the simple story of doing something special with dad, especially right after a new sibling is born and older child may be getting left out (a point not focused on in the story, but the mention of the new baby sister made that obvious to me as we're expecting our second child and trying to be cognizant about how that's going to effect our oldest).
January 18, 2021
A big thank you to NetGalley and Publisher Spotlight/Blue Dot Kids Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a children's book. This book has beautiful graphics and is a nice storh. A bonding experience. the Northern lights are amazing. 4 stars
February 24, 2021
A father and daughter leave at night to go watch the aurora borealis. I liked how the book left me thinking, "I want to know facts about the aurora borealis" because the father doesn't answer the daughter's question so that readers know what the answer is (but the daughter learns from him).
May 21, 2021
Seeking an aurora is a fun tale about a boy who is awaken in the middle of the night by his dad. They go on a surprise adventure. I loved the relationship and bonding experience between father and son.
October 20, 2021
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the art style in this book. Simple and colorful and different. The story was good and there was some good information about the Aurora at the end.
I liked the art style in this book. Simple and colorful and different. The story was good and there was some good information about the Aurora at the end.
January 11, 2022
Stunning illustrations, but inadequate storytelling. I was hoping to read a simple yet scientific explanation of an aurora as part of the story, but is is not part of the story -it is an afterword with quite a few concepts crammed in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews