Lulu and the Hullabaloo

A young sea turtle finds bravery with support from her reef family in Smith’s picture book.

Lulu feels safe as she swims around in the mangrove roots closely tethered to her mama. After rushing sea waters knock the tiny turtle off her perch on her mother’s shell, she’s tossed about and briefly faces her greatest fear of being left alone, before her mama quickly returns. Lulu soon learns that although some things in the oceans are frightening, others are helpful, and she builds trust in herself and her community with her mama’s guidance. Oztürk’s full-color illustrations bring the seabed to life with electric colors and many species in action, including a puffed-up pufferfish and a wood-hauling octopus…Being in unfamiliar places can be quite scary for children without caregivers around, and this book effectively encapsulates such feelings in its portrayal of the vastness of the deep; however, it also allays such fears with a soothing, motherly tone and assurance of neighborly support.

A vividly illustrated and relatable tale of a jumpy sea creature and her loving parent.

Kirkus Reviews

The Brightest Bulb

A small bulb named Flicker is tired of languishing in a bin of old hardware, among the “leftovers. Extras. Misfits.” He longs to be needed…Smith offers her young target audience a gentle message about aspiration, determination, and self-worth as Flicker goes off to seek his purpose…Öztürk’s full-page and spot illustrations, rendered in a watercolor style, give whimsical life to Flicker and other bulbs…Characters include Fresnel, a frowning theater stage light that orders Flicker out of the theater: “You are not the brightest bulb and you cannot do this job,” he says, effectively setting up the rejection Flicker will receive from a streetlight and a living room lamp. The cozy ending, though, is sure to resonate with young readers, as Flicker happily discovers that his light glows bright enough for one important job. A tale with pleasing imagery, a quirky hero, and a relatable plot promoting self-respect.

Kirkus Review

The Brightest Bulb is a children’s picture book written by Stephanie Kay Smith and illustrated by Damla Öztürk. The story follows Flicker, a light bulb who wishes to shine brightly and be useful. Feeling forgotten in a workbench bin filled with random hardware, he hopes that one day someone will pick him up. One day, Flicker is accidentally thrown out of the bin and finds himself in a place where he fears no one can see him. Determined to take control of his destiny, he embarks on a journey to find his place to shine. He tries being a stage light in a theater and a street lamp in the city, but eventually realizes that he was not meant to shine in those roles. Will Flicker ever find his true place to shine, or will he be destined to wander in the shadows forever?
The Brightest Bulb offers an inspiring story that teaches children resilience, hope, and self-belief. Flicker’s journey of self-discovery — from feeling forgotten to actively seeking his purpose — will resonate with many who want to feel useful and visible. The story encourages young readers to explore different options and not wait around to be discovered, as this is the path to finding what suits them. Stephanie Kay Smith skillfully conveys these themes with simple language and encouraging words, making the book engaging and easy for children to understand. The colorful illustrations beautifully complement the narrative. I enjoyed reading The Brightest Bulb and wholeheartedly recommend it for your children’s reading list, as it teaches them to bravely pursue their purpose while remaining hopeful and resilient.
 
Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers’ Favorite
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