Valentina Gottardi, Maciej Michno, and Danio Miserocchi--the Italian trio behind 2025's The Tomorrow Tree--explore the costs of light pollution for nature in an absorbing, exquisitely illustrated picture book for middle-grade readers. Who Hid the Stars? is packed with details that will likely compel its audience to look at human-created illumination in a whole new light.
"Artificial light may be useful, but it comes at a cost to the environment." Gottardi, Michno, and Miserocchi present complex scientific information through an easily comprehensible and intriguing narrative that offers young readers the facts about artificial light's effects on the natural world. The repercussions are not felt only by land creatures: aquatic life also suffers: "One-fourth of the world's coastal regions are illuminated by artificial light.... the light can interfere with migrations, alter behavior, and even prevent reproduction." Plant life is afflicted, too, as artificial light changes the length of pollen seasons and how pollinators interact with the plants. With each topic, the authors highlight several individual species, such as the loggerhead sea turtle (which can be confused by artificial lighting upon hatching), the spotted sandpiper (which migrates at night), and the cabbage thistle (which needs nocturnal pollinators), showing how a general idea manifests in specific situations.
Gottardi's stunning ballpoint pen, acrylic paint, and digital media illustrations include life-like reproductions of natural elements as well as clearly notated models and diagrams. Back matter includes a glossary, ideas for reducing light pollution, and resources for those who are eager to learn more. Those interested in science and the environment should find this striking book fascinating, but any reader can find enlightenment within. --Jen Forbus, freelancer