Book Review of The Light
The Children’s Book Review
The Light
Written by Scarlett Lam
Illustrated by Mindy Lee
Ages: 0+ | 18 Pages
Publisher: Read the Light Book (2025) | ISBN: 979-8988332299
The Light is more than a board book—it’s a love letter to children’s inner wisdom and a powerful tool for parents seeking to nurture self-confidence from the start.
Little readers are encouraged to discover and trust the guiding light within themselves through a simple yet profound question: “Who is The Light?” The answer unfolds across 18 interactive pages through a metaphor for intuition, self-trust, and inner wisdom, ultimately revealing that the light lives within each child. The growing light guides the reader to make intuitive decisions, planting seeds of self-empowerment and self-love in this celebration of authenticity that invites children to recognize their own unique brilliance.
Author Scarlett Lam’s decision to center the narrative on an abstract concept—the “light” as an inner voice—is ambitious for young readers. Yet she executes it with clarity and warmth, using refreshingly simple, rhythmic, affirming language that is ideal for repeated read-alouds.
Warm, vibrant, and brimming with whimsical details, Mindy Lee’s illustrations are nothing short of magical—their rich, inviting color palette creates a world that feels both familiar and fantastical. With quirky touches that encourage young readers to linger on each page and discover new details with every reading, the tactile elements woven throughout, along with a peek-a-boo surprise mirror ending, transform self-discovery into a multisensory experience.
Perfect for bedtime rituals or as a thoughtful baby shower gift, The Light is sure to resonate with families who value social-emotional learning and books that do meaningful work.
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About the Author
Scarlett Lam grew up tucking herself away on the shelf in her closet to read and completely immerse herself in the magical world of books. She has developed her unique voice drawing from her experiences as a first-generation Asian-American in New Jersey, a solo backpacking adventurer, a solo-performance artist, an actor, and through her creative corporate career in branding, marketing, and copywriting.
Scarlett proudly serves on the board of Living Canvas Foundation, delivering accessible arts-based healing sessions to foster resilience, amplify diverse voices, and honor every life as a living canvas. She tells stories that inspire healing and authentic self-expression, inviting us all to love ourselves unabashedly and spread our light with true abandon.
About the Illustrator
Mindy Lee of Happyminders is a graphic designer and artist, proudly born and raised in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Happyminders’ work is strongly influenced by her family, friends, and city, and by her longing to share stories of human goodness, diversity, and strength. She wants her work to affirm and uplift the voices of the weird, the atypical, the quiet, and the misunderstood, and share and spread their magic.
Learn more at www.readthelight.com.
