Alight
A Story of Fire and Nature
By: Sam Lloyd Illustrated by: Samantha Metcalfe
Gently explores the importance of healthy fire to the plants and animals of Australia's bush.
Fire is a natural part of the Australian bush. This is a story about that relationship – fire that breathes life back into nature. + Full description
Alight shares the story of Australian native plants and animals during a planned fire. Discover how the fire helps Christmas Bells grow new flowers and Wallum Banksia to open its woody seed capsules. Follow Antechinus and a tiny Wallum Sedge Frog as they face the danger of the fire – and the challenges that come after. See how the bush recovers and flourishes after the fire, all under the watch of Old Eucalypt.
With engaging text by Sam Lloyd, and stunning illustrations by Samantha Metcalfe, Alight is a gentle exploration of the importance and benefits of healthy fire in the bush.
Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 6 to 9.
- Short descriptionNews
Read more on our blog:
Fire program manager Dr Sam Lloyd shares why fire management and healthy fire is so important to Australia's fire-prone landscape, and why she was inspired to write this children's book: Alight: Fire that breathes life back into nature.
Watch the video trailer:
Reviews
"The range of animals and plants that make up the cast of characters in the book is well chosen, and each tells a variant on the myriad relationships of nature and fire – each species allows us to see the world from a different perspective. And of course, the accounts given in the book are robustly based on ecological understanding."
John Woinarksi, Ecological Society of Australia, November 2023
"This engagingly written and charmingly illustrated children’s book gently explores how planned, controlled fire is a necessary element of Australia’s ecosystems"
Gardening Australia, September 2023
"A delightful way to introduce small children to fire in the landscape, an increasingly important and recurring event in our environment."
Suzanne Mather, Western Australian Bird Notes 187, September 2023
"Alight is a lovely, engaging and important book. It provides a necessary message that we all need to hear: that fire is not simply a negative, destructive force, but rather an instrument that when used with care and skill is good for country, needed by our nature"
John Woinarksi, NESP Research Professor , Charles Darwin University, August 2023
"From the perspective of Australian fauna and flora, Alight shares a story of hope and regeneration, and the benefits and importance of healthy fire in the bush. Fire is a natural part of the Australian bush. This is a story about that relationship – fire that breathes life back into nature."
Raquel Mayman, CBCA Reading Time, August 2023
"From the endpapers to the information on fire in the Australian bush at the end, Alight is a rich resource in learning about fire and its place in our landscape. Seamlessly blending non-fiction information with story, Sam Lloyd's text is engaging and introduces young readers to fascinating characters [...] Alight is an appealing read, with information for interested readers and educators to deep dive, or to just enjoy the beauty of the Australian bush."
Megan Daley, Children's Books Daily
"As usual, the text is perfectly pitched for the age group, the sensitive, positive approach is spot on and the illustrations not only life like but also in a soft palette and medium that will be unlikely to stir memories and anxiety. As well as the explanation of the need for fire in the landscape there is also a comprehensive glossary that will extend the reader’s vocabulary as well as their understanding."
Barbara Braxton, The Bottom Shelf, 7 June 2023
"Fire is often a frightening thing, but this cleverly articulated book teaches children that planned and controlled fires are purposeful and necessary. We learn that it protects the ecosystems and allows new life to exist."
Rita, get.kids.booked (Instagram), 30 June 2023
"The illustrations are just stunning - our Australian environment and the animals and plants who inhabit it depicted with such gentleness and beautiful colour. Such a beautifully crafted book that will both inform and engage."
Sandy Bigna, aussie_kids_books (Instagram), July 2023
Details
Hardback | June 2023 | $ 24.99ISBN: 9781486315444 | 32 pages | 250 x 250 mm
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Colour illustrations
ePDF | June 2023
ISBN: 9781486315451
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers
ePUB | June 2023
ISBN: 9781486315468
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers
Features
- Explores how planned fire is a necessary element in the fire-prone ecosystems of the Australian bush.
- Shows how different species of plants and animals respond to fire and can benefit from post-fire conditions.
- Illustrates how tiny animals can survive fire and how fire can trigger flower production, seed release and germination in plants.
- Demonstrates the challenges animals and plants can also face in the post-fire environment.
Authors
Dr Sam Lloyd is a scientist, fire ecologist and writer with a passion for the Australian bush and children’s literature. Through storytelling, art and a love of books, Sam strives to engage children in the world of science and nature. Sam lives in Brisbane with her husband, children, dog and some chooks.
Samantha Metcalfe is a Natural History Illustrator who finds inspiration in the unique biodiversity of the Australian bush. Working primarily in colour pencil, her realistic and detailed illustrations often focus on capturing Australia’s native flora and fauna. Samantha has illustrated several children’s picture books including The Voyage of Whale and Calf, and she was also shortlisted for the 2019 Children’s Book Council of Australia Award for New Illustrator.
For Teachers
We have created these Teacher Notes as a free PDF download to support the use of this book in the classroom.
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