Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Ashley Key to bring you this post.
Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? I haven't. It is too bright in my neighborhood even when they have been visible around me. It is something I hope to see. Today I get to share a special book with you about a dog who sees the Northern Lights and wants to know what is happening. It has scientific explanations as well as some amazing crafts with the science behind them!! The book is Dash and the Lights in the Sky by Ashley Key. There is a giveaway after my review!
About the Book:
Dash and the Lights in the Sky Written and illustrated by Ashley KeyAges: 0-8 | 50 Pages (hardcover and softcover) 25 Pages (board book)
Publisher: Adventure Press (2025) | ISBN: 979-8993318646
Publisher’s Book Summary: Dash and the Lights in the Sky is a poetic children’s book that combines storytelling, science, and Arctic wonder. One wintry night, Dash the husky looks up at a strange glow dancing across the sky. With the help of Echo the wise owl and Nimbus the playful Arctic fox, he discovers the science of the aurora borealis-the northern lights.
This lyrical narrative blends advanced vocabulary with a sing-song rhythm, inviting children to explore concepts such as atmosphere, particles, and magnetism in an accessible way. Designed for ages 0-8, the book encourages curiosity and sparks early STEM learning while preserving the magic of a bedtime story.
The watercolor-inspired illustrations create a dreamy, Arctic setting, while the built-in Parents’ Reading Guide provides vocabulary support, discussion prompts, and NGSS-aligned extension activities. Ideal for classrooms, homeschool lessons, or cozy family reading, Dash and the Lights in the Sky helps children connect wonder with science-and shows that even the sky holds secrets waiting to be discovered.
Purchase Links:
About the Author-Illustrator:
Ashley Key has spent years helping others find their voice — both on the page and in the classroom. She has taught literacy as a HiSET instructor and worked as a contract and technical writer in the field of satellite communications, where she explored how science connects us across vast distances. Inspired by her real-life husky, Drake, and her family’s adventures under wide northern skies, Ashley blends science, art, and storytelling to spark curiosity in young readers. Through the Dash series, she hopes to nurture wonder for the natural world — one glowing aurora, snowflake, and discovery at a time.
For more information, visit dashandthelightsinthesky.com.
From Me:
This book is available both as a board book and a picture book. The picture book has more explanations as well as the crafts and experiments in it. The board book has the same story and a picture vocabulary list and aurora color list in the back. The picture book begins a Parent's Reading Guide and suggestions on how to read the book together. It also includes suggestions on teaching vocabulary through play, discussion starters and a vocabulary list which gives verbal definitions and has pictures. The words to the story rhyme and are poetic. The story is about a dog named Dash. He is out walking and notices the lights dancing in the sky. He is curious and wants to know what is happening and why. He goes to find his owl friend, Echo, to see if she knows. Echo begins to explain the aurora borealis to Dash and then their friend, Nimbus, comes around and also wants to know what is happening in the sky. Echo explains the science including what makes each color. She also shares with her friends that other planets have such lights as well.
After the story, the picture book has some Did You Know facts. Then it goes into even more detail of the science behind the Northern Lights. The explanations are informative and easy to understand. It goes into details about how the lights happen as well as some of the history of the observations. It also includes that there are still some mysteries to the lights and it makes them seem magical. Next the picture book has four different activities to try. Two are crafts and the other two are more like experiments. With each activity there is also a scientific explanation about what is happening. This book is truly amazing and full of so much information. I honestly wish I got a physical copy to share with my coworker who would love it and probably use it in her science classes!
The story is sweet and shares the magical feeling of the Northern Lights and it also gives the science within the story. It helps younger kids be able to understand and be curious about science. I love that the suggestions on reading together are meant to encourage imagination and curiosity. It makes reading books so much more fun for the reader as well as the child(ren) being read to. This book has the poetic verse that is calming and fun but also the excitement of the Northern Lights being different and the science behind it all. It is a complete book.
This book is perfect for anyone who wants to share the experience of the Northern Lights with a child. The board book is perfect for younger children, and the picture book is great for older kids. After reading this book the older kids should try the various activities. This book would also be great for a science unit studying the sky, weather, sun and earth connection, etc. It is a wonderful introduction to the Northern Lights. It would also make an amazing companion with A Gift of Dust.
Northern Lights Crafts Roundup
As I was reading the book I thought I have to do a craft roundup. I asked for some posts from fellow bloggers and got some. Of course, by that time I realized there were amazing ones at the end of the book too! So, in addition to the four in the book here are some beautiful Northern Lights crafts to try. Plus, there is a roundup at Artsy Craftsy Mom with even more crafts.
1) Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus shares this beautiful Northern Lights Mason Jar Craft (as well as a roundup of a few more)
2) Crafts on Sea shares this easy Northern Lights Art Project that uses markers and foil
3) Little Ladoo shares an easy Northern Lights Painting Craft (as well as a small roundup)
4) Taming Little Monsters shares a beautiful Northern Lights Pastel and Crumpled Paper Craft
5) The Craft Train shares these beautiful Aurora Borealis Scrape Art
6) The Educator's Spin on It shares Exploring Northern Lights with Art and Music
7) Arty Crafty Kids shares these fun Reindeer Silhouette Paintings
These crafts don't have the scientific explanations like the ones in the books but they are beautiful and look fun!
Giveaway:
Enter for the chance to win one of seven signed copies of Dash and the Lights in the Sky: two hardcover editions and five board books. One grand prize winner will also receive a beautifully curated craft box paired with a signed hardcover copy of the book. Good luck!
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