As a child, one of the highlights of any visit to my grandparents’ house was seeing the Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse near Deland Park. On a stormy day we would look at the lighthouse from a safe distance, but when the lake was calm and the weather was nice, my grandparents would walk all the way down the pier with me to see the red lighthouse tower up close. Though no one lives in Sheboygan’s lighthouse, I would still imagine what it might be like to make a lighthouse your home!

If you or your family are similarly interested in lighthouses, here are some children’s picture books which will light up winter’s darkest nights!

Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall

The illustrations are the star in this lighthouse book, from the eye-catching cover to depictions of whales, icebergs, and the Northern Lights. My favorite illustration, however, is a lighthouse cross-section that will fuel young readers’ imaginations. This colorful book is a delight to look at for all ages.

In addition to the fantastic illustrations, Blackall also did her research, and if your curiosity isn’t sated by the main text, check out the book’s endnotes for more historical information!

Gracie the Lighthouse Cat by Ruth Brown

Fans of cats and parents of younger children will love Gracie The Lighthouse Cat by Ruth Brown. Set at the scene of a real 1838 British lighthouse rescue, this picture book imagines the family cat undertaking her own daring rescue when her kitten is stranded on the lighthouse’s rocky shores.

There’s just enough adventure to send a chill of sea air through a child’s imagination, but the heroic rescue doesn’t take too long, and by the end of the book mama cat and kitten are cuddled up safe in a basket by the fire. 

After storytime, curious readers may want to learn more about Grace Darling, the lighthouse keeper’s daughter who assisted with the rescue depicted in the book!

Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo

How do children in lighthouses receive presents from Santa? This charming book by Toni Buzzeo answers that question and offers a window into history with its story of the Flying Santa Service, a program begun in 1929 which continues to serve Coast Guard families today.

This is both a great lighthouse book and a great Christmas book. The book shows a lighthouse rescue and some of the sacrifices made by lighthouse families. And the heartwarming message about finding the Christmas spirit through helping others actually brought a tear to my eye. 

Yukie’s Island by Yukie Kimura, Kōdo Kimura, and Steve Sheinkin

Adults rarely check out picture books for themselves, but Yukie’s Island can and should be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Though this book is not primarily about lighthouse living, it offers the same atmosphere of seaside adventure and isolation, as it tells the true story of co-author Yukie Kimura, daughter of a lighthouse keeper, who lived on a remote island in Japan during World War II.

The evocative illustrations capture the simple pleasures of island life, as Yukie and her siblings explore seaside caves and row a boat to school. Then war suddenly interrupts Yukie’s life. The wartime elements of the story are told from a child’s point of view, as the family copes with hours spent in a bomb shelter and changes to their daily routine. The full impact of the war is felt when some children don’t return to Yukie’s school.

The book ends on a magical note, however, as Yukie and her family spot ice floes which have floated in from Russia. After the tragedy of war, a fascinating life continues on Yukie’s Island. 

Kate’s Light by Elizabeth Spires

By far the most detailed of the lighthouse books in this list, Kate’s Light tells the story of an intrepid woman who immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1800’s, married a lighthouse keeper, and eventually took over the running of the isolated offshore lighthouse where they made their home. 

Curious readers will enjoy hearing more about the daily chores and routines of a lighthouse family. And girls will find inspiration in Kate’s determination, bravery, and hard work. Kate’s Light also features simple but beautiful illustrations by Caldecott medalist Emily Arnold McCully, as well as a Currier & Ives print “The Port of New York” in the inside cover, which includes the Robbins Reef Lighthouse where Kate lived and worked. 

If you enjoy Kate’s Light, you may also want to check out more true tales of heroic women lighthouse keepers, including Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie, by Peter and Connie Roop, illustrated by Peter E. Hanson; and Miss Colfax’s Light, by Aimée Bissonette, illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen. The more you dig into this topic, the more you’ll find there is no shortage of heroic figures in America’s lighthouse logbooks! 

Whether you’re looking for a cozy bedtime story, or a bracing real-life adventure, why not add one of these lighthouse picture books to your storytime rotation?