Hello Lighthouse (Caldecott Medal Winner)

Absolutely beautiful book, love the artwork and simple but beautiful story of the lighthouse keeper. Enjoyed the extra information in the back. My daughter and I both loved it from the library that I gave it to her Christmas. We are both excited for the calming bedtime read!

I had seen this on a few booklists but didn’t know too much about it - so glad I listened to recommendations and bought it! My two year old LOVES being read to and this quickly became one of his most requested books. The bonus is that it is so enjoyable to read for me as well! Beautiful artwork and a sweet, well researched story, with a whole back inside cover full of the author’s research so we can understand where she got the difference elements from. I especially loved the baby being born in the lighthouse (toddler always squeals with joy when we get to the baby) and the sweet twist to the ending. Will definitely be looking into more books by Sophie Blackall after this!

This book is amazing. Beautiful illustrations and nice story. I read it so many times to my children and ran out of renewals at our library. So naturally we had to buy our own copy.

This was such a unique book with great details. It's not the usual size or shape, instead, it mimics the lighthouse it refers to, with its tall narrow shape. ⁠ ⁠ Hello Lighthouse is the story of a lighthouse keeper and his family as they care for the lighthouse that is their home. We see several images throughout the book of cameos of the lives of the keepers, but we also see the lighthouse standing through various weather situations and challenges of nature, continuously providing light to both greet and guide travelers safely to their destination. ⁠ ⁠ The illustrations add to the uniqueness of this book. Using rounded or circular shapes gives the reader feels a sense of watching the lighthouse keeper and his family through an old-fashioned spyglass. The roundness of the images echo the shape of the lighthouse and the layout of their living spaces. They also lend a sense of going around in a circle or cycle, the way the light beam of the lighthouse, or the hands of a clock, constantly spins.⁠ ⁠ The author did noticeable research about lighthouse keepers in the course of writing this book. At the back, she includes information about lighthouse keepers from history and provides more information and resources if the reader wants to do some research of their own. ⁠ ⁠ The inclusion of a wide variety of elements, such as ships, sea creatures, and elements of nature, along with the uniqueness of a story based on a lighthouse will add to the allure of the book. ⁠

This book is so beautiful! I first heard it on Spotify and immediately had to turn around and buy it. The weaving of the story is lovely and poignant. Cannot wait to share this one with my little guy for years to come.

A new favorite!! Our family has been visiting lighthouses all around Lake Michigan with the goal of seeing them all. This book is factual, has gorgeous illustrations (I loooove the covers and the dust sleeve art!!), and makes for a really good story. I highly recommend!

Stunning art. Simple clear storyline but at one point the husband "helps her breath in and out" - mother is evidently about to give birth. That would be confusing to children. Why does she need help breathing? a child would wonder. Just not needed in the story or appropriate.

Lovely hardcover book - very thoughtful and rich themes with masses of material for a great unit study lessoons, or just talking points: loneliness, companionship; self-sufficiency; career changes, power of the ocean; inter-connectedness of our world - and on and on. The artwork reinforces all of those themes so well - beautifully done. Lighthouses are an enduring theme in children's literature for good reasons. Highly recommended. A worthy addition to any child's library.