A story about the hidden world of light... Renowned physicist Alan Lightman, author of Ada and the Galaxies, turns his focus to light waves in a second story for children.

There’s only one gift Isabel wants for her birthday: a way to see invisible things. She can hardly think of anything else until the day of her party arrives! Unwrapping a big box, Isabel finds a surprise inside – a glass prism – and a dazzling world of previously invisible colour emerges, lighting up the room around her. What else could be out there, waiting for her eyes to discover?

In simple, engaging language, complemented by luminous artwork from bestselling illustrator Ramona Kaulitzki, author and physicist Alan Lightman unveils the hidden world of light waves – the ones you can see and the ones you can’t...

The story is fictional but the facts that have been packed in are entirely true and the pictures are simply wonderful for the way in which they manage to illuminate everything in just the right way. The physics of light is quite an advanced subject if you ever think of delving into it but, presented here for children in a picture book it is digestible and helps children begin to learn some simple science concepts. * Armadillo Magazine *

Alan Lightman is a physicist, educator, and acclaimed author for children and adults. His debut picture book, Ada and the Galaxies, illustrated by Susanna Chapman, was published with MIT Kids Press in 2022. He is also the best-selling author of Einstein's Dreams. Alan Lightman has a PhD in theoretical physics and is a professor of the Practice of Humanities at MIT.
Ramona Kaulitzki is the illustrator of many books for children, including Winter Lullaby by Dianne White and the #1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. When she’s not illustrating, she can be found somewhere outdoors or at the riding stable.