In the book, the only words are those of the old hymn “This Little Light of Mine.” For those unfamiliar with the song, there is no plot but instead the adage “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” Without the watercolor images, the book would have no plot. Lewis created a story about a young boy spreading joy and kindness throughout his town. This kindness comes to a head on page seventeen, when the protagonist brings the boy he befriended to meet his friends. Standing out from the unclear and dark background are the protagonist and the boy. They are a bit blurry, but the positioning of the group of friends automatically draws the readers’ eyes to them. The friends are not blended or melting into one another like the backdrop of the scene but are clear and defined. The friends standing on the field are expertly crafted with swirling brush strokes as they await the arrival of the protagonist. The scene’s focus on the friends through the expert manipulation of watercolors connects to a theme present throughout the book: community.

Another aspect of Lewis’ watercolor use is the captivating scenery built from the watercolors themselves. Kirkus Reviews described the scenery as “atmospheric” (“This Little Light of Mine”). The bleeding of the watercolors into one another creates a stark and captivating contrast. The bleeding of the scenery also creates an almost immersive feeling. The way the brush strokes and drip sequences are clear aid in creating an almost picturesque depiction of this rural town. The watercolors continue to create a sense of community through the depiction of different members of the town. The paints allow the readers to truly see the protagonist’s little light spread throughout his community.

Whether they are solid or if they bleed, the watercolors used in This Little Light of Mine help capture the beauty of the story. The expert manipulation of the brush by Lewis creates an atmosphere of comfort, love, and beauty.

Word Count: 364

Works Cited:

Lewis, E.B. This Little Light of Mine. ‎ Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2005.

“This Little Light of Mine.” Kirkus Reviews, 24 June 2010, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/eb-lewis/this-little-light-of-mine-3/.