All summer, I’ll be sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that will interest them or offer them something new to learn about. Most of the time, these will be nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too. I believe reading over the summer is so important, and keeping kids interested in reading by finding books that are relevant and full of topics that they are interested in is very important. Kids should be reading at least 20 minutes every day, and I hope that these books offer you ideas to keep your kids reading and learning all summer.
Look for these posts every Friday. They will always have Summer Read-to-Learn in the title and the tags. There will be books from some of my favorite publishers as well as books on all kinds of topics kids love to read and learn about. Be sure to stop by each week to see what book I’m sharing as part of my Summer Read-to-Learn series.
To see all the books in the Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.
MAKING LIGHT BLOOM
Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Lamps
By: Sandra Nickel
Illustrated by: Julie Paschkis
Published: June 24, 2025
Publisher: Peachtree Press
Biography
Clara Driscoll grew up in a house on a hill surrounded by gardens, trees, flowers, and dragonflies in the late 1800s. Clara loved being in nature and drawing what she saw outside, including the beautiful flowers that grew around her home. As a young woman, she went away to art school, which eventually led her to New York City. There, she eventually found a job as a glassmaker for Louis C. Tiffany. The rest, as they say, is history.
Clara was extremely talented, and Mr. Tiffany noticed her creations of angels just by putting different pieces of glass together. Soon, Clara had her own workshop where she trained other women to create beautiful images with glass while reading them poetry about nature.
After creating many windows, she had a thought to try creating lamps with the same types of colored glass. Soon, the famous Tiffany Lamps were created. Only now do we know that the Tiffany Lamps really should have been called the Driscoll Lamps, since for years, people thought Louis Tiffany was the creator of the lamps. Letters Clara had written to her family were discovered after her last sister had passed away, revealing the truth behind the real artist of the Tiffany Lamps.
I’m quite certain that kids these days have never even heard of a Tiffany Lamp, but during my childhood, they were a sign of beauty in someone’s home. I remember being so enamored by them when someone had a Tiffany-style Lamp in their home. I always thought I would have one someday. I’m thrilled to know Clara’s story now and how her talents brought so much beauty into people’s homes. While reading this story, you can remind children of the stained glass windows they might see at church and spend some time looking at their details more closely next time you are there.
The illustrations are vibrantly colored and mimic what a Tiffany Lamp would look like in and around the depictions of Clara working on the designs. An author’s note and a bibliography at the end of the book offer more information for those who are interested in more details about Clara and her Tiffany Lamps.
Sandra Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books. She is honored to be the winner of a Christopher Award, the winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree, and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended author. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults and has presented workshops on writing for children and young adults throughout the United States and Europe. Check out her website, HERE. See other books by Sandra Nickel, HERE.
Julie Paschkis attended Cornell University and the School for American Craftsmen at RIT, where she earned a BFA. She taught art to grade school children for several years while working on her own art and illustration. Julie now works full-time painting, creating commercial illustrations, and illustrating children’s books. Some of her books include Albert the Fix-It Man; Where Is Catkin?; Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella; and Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary. She lives in Washington. Check out her website, HERE, where she shares beautiful coloring pages each week.
Click HERE to purchase a copy of MAKING LIGHT BLOOM
I’ve always thought Tiffany Lamps were so beautiful. This sunflower one is so pretty.
Other books about fascinating women you might like:
Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Children's books, Julie Paschkis, Sandra Nickel, Summer Read-to-Learn, Tiffany Lamps, biography, non-fiction