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Episode #270 Ashley Key: "Dash and The Lights in the Night Sky"
Discover the magic and science of the Northern Lights through the eyes of three Arctic friends. When Dash the husky looks up one winter night, he sees ribbons of color dancing across the sky. Together with Echo the snowy owl and Nimbus the Arctic fox, Dash sets off on a sparkling adventure to uncover the mystery of the lights that shimmer above the snow.
This beautifully illustrated picture book blends lyrical storytelling with real science, introducing young readers to solar wind, magnetic fields, and the natural wonder of the aurora borealis. Perfect for ages 0–8, it inspires curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of discovery.
Parents, teachers, and librarians will love how Dash and the Lights in the Sky combines early STEM learning with a gentle bedtime rhythm. The story encourages children to ask questions, explore nature, and see science as part of their everyday world.
Each page glows with watercolor illustrations of the Arctic night, inviting readers to journey through a world where science meets wonder. This book includes a Parent Reading Guide and "Aurora Deeper Dive" section that explains the science behind the story in simple, age-appropriate ways.
Perfect for homeschool lessons, classroom STEM units, or cozy family reading, Dash and the Lights in the Sky makes learning about nature and space feel magical. It's an ideal gift for curious kids, teachers, and nature-loving families.
Themes: Curiosity, friendship, teamwork, Arctic science, light and color, nature and discovery.
Educational Focus: Aurora Borealis, solar wind, magnetism, Earth and space, early STEM learning, NGSS-aligned concepts.
Ideal For: Preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary learners; homeschool educators; science classrooms; storytime programs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ashley Key is a children’s author, science lover, and explorer whose travels to Iceland—where she witnessed the Northern Lights dancing across the Arctic sky—inspired Dash and the Lights in the Sky. Seeing the aurora shimmer over the snow sparked a lifelong fascination with how nature and science intertwine.
Her stories are also inspired by her real-life husky, Drake, whose adventurous spirit and icy-blue eyes brought Dash to life on the page. Together, Ashley and Drake have explored mountain trails, frozen lakes, and starlit nights, discovering wonder in every corner of the natural world.
Blending poetic storytelling with real science, Ashley creates picture books that encourage children to ask questions, explore their surroundings, and find beauty in discovery. She lives with her family, her two young children, and her loyal husky Drake—who still howls whenever the sky begins to glow.
Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indiereadsaloudseasonfour
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By Diana Kathryn PennDiscover the magic and science of the Northern Lights through the eyes of three Arctic friends. When Dash the husky looks up one winter night, he sees ribbons of color dancing across the sky. Together with Echo the snowy owl and Nimbus the Arctic fox, Dash sets off on a sparkling adventure to uncover the mystery of the lights that shimmer above the snow.
This beautifully illustrated picture book blends lyrical storytelling with real science, introducing young readers to solar wind, magnetic fields, and the natural wonder of the aurora borealis. Perfect for ages 0–8, it inspires curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of discovery.
Parents, teachers, and librarians will love how Dash and the Lights in the Sky combines early STEM learning with a gentle bedtime rhythm. The story encourages children to ask questions, explore nature, and see science as part of their everyday world.
Each page glows with watercolor illustrations of the Arctic night, inviting readers to journey through a world where science meets wonder. This book includes a Parent Reading Guide and "Aurora Deeper Dive" section that explains the science behind the story in simple, age-appropriate ways.
Perfect for homeschool lessons, classroom STEM units, or cozy family reading, Dash and the Lights in the Sky makes learning about nature and space feel magical. It's an ideal gift for curious kids, teachers, and nature-loving families.
Themes: Curiosity, friendship, teamwork, Arctic science, light and color, nature and discovery.
Educational Focus: Aurora Borealis, solar wind, magnetism, Earth and space, early STEM learning, NGSS-aligned concepts.
Ideal For: Preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary learners; homeschool educators; science classrooms; storytime programs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ashley Key is a children’s author, science lover, and explorer whose travels to Iceland—where she witnessed the Northern Lights dancing across the Arctic sky—inspired Dash and the Lights in the Sky. Seeing the aurora shimmer over the snow sparked a lifelong fascination with how nature and science intertwine.
Her stories are also inspired by her real-life husky, Drake, whose adventurous spirit and icy-blue eyes brought Dash to life on the page. Together, Ashley and Drake have explored mountain trails, frozen lakes, and starlit nights, discovering wonder in every corner of the natural world.
Blending poetic storytelling with real science, Ashley creates picture books that encourage children to ask questions, explore their surroundings, and find beauty in discovery. She lives with her family, her two young children, and her loyal husky Drake—who still howls whenever the sky begins to glow.
Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indiereadsaloudseasonfour