Dash and the Lights in the Sky Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Do you know the science behind this Arctic wonder? Learn all about it in Dash and the Lights in the Sky, the first in the picture book series by Ashley Key. Enter to win a signed copy and a beautifully curated craft box!

My Review:

Inspired by the author's real-life husky and her personal experience, Dash and the Lights in the Sky tells an enchanting tale packed with information about auroras, especially Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.

At the sight of dazzling, dancing, colorful light ribbons in the night sky, Dash, the curious husky, gets puzzled and scared. He turns to his friend Echo for an explanation. The wise snowy owl shares what she knows about the science of aurora, when Nimbus, the playful Arctic fox, chimes in with excitement. Together, the friends enjoy the most beautiful light show on Earth while learning how and why it happens.

With cheerful rhymes and adorable animal characters, the narrative introduces key scientific terms and explains the cause of auroras in an entertaining and accessible manner. It further explores the impact of altitude, season, magnetic fields, and composition of the atmosphere on the formation and variation of auroras.  Alongside the rhythmic text are stunning graphics, which highlight the breathtaking beauty of the natural wonder with splashes of vivid colors, stars, sparks and shimmers.

Besides a charming story, the book also includes a helpful reading guide for parents, a list of aurora vocabulary explained in kid-friendly language, a deeper look into aurora science with impressively extensive information, and step-by-step instructions for aurora-inspired craft projects, along with the science behind each craft. It offers so much for young readers and their parents to learn and create together!

Lyrically written and vibrantly illustrated, Dash and the Lights in the Sky makes a valuable STEM read aloud for space science enthusiasts, young explorers and animal lovers.

About the Book:

Ages: 0-8 | 50 Pages (hardcover and softcover) 25 Pages (board book)
Publisher: Adventure Press (2025) | ISBN: 979-8993318646

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: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

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.

One lucky Grand Prize winner will receive a signed hardcover copy of Dash and the Lights in the Sky and a craft kit!

Five additional winners will each receive a signed board book copy of Dash and the Lights in the Sky!

Two more winners will each receive a signed hardcover copy of Dash and the Lights in the Sky!

Giveaway ends 12/31. Open to US & Canada. Please enter below. Good luck!

Dash and the Lights in the Sky: Book Giveaway

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Ashley Key. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.