Light and dark have affected the very ways humans, plants, and animals have grown and thrived. In fact, light and dark have affected pretty much the entire natural world around us. But lights from cars, streetlights, houses, shopping malls, skyscrapers, and other structures make towns and cities glow with light so bright it can be seen from outer space. What happens when humans tamper with the age-old balance of day and night?

Told through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Joan who loves the outdoors, Dark Matters introduces young readers to the fragile animals that are impacted by our increasingly threatened nighttime skies.

Come discover the amazing night life of frogs and bats, turtles and fireflies, birds, plants, and so much more. And learn how their lives and ecosystems are negatively impacted by light—much of which is so unnecessary.

This book is packed full with fascinating and unexpected facts and illustrations, and comes with tips and suggestions on how young people can help reduce light pollution.

Because dark matters!

Joan Marie Galat
lives in the Alberta countryside near Edmonton, where she can often be found gazing upwards. She shares her love of the sky in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series, which offers both science and stories from ancient cultures about our environment and the night sky.

Joan's writing career began with a weekly newspaper column when she was 12 years old. Now an award-winning and best-selling author, she has written more than a dozen books for both children and adults. She provides freelance writing and editing through her communications business, MoonDot Media, and is a frequent presenter at schools and libraries.

While Alberta's long winter nights and big prairie sky are ideal for stargazing, Joan also enjoys other pastimes such as reading, camping, kayaking, spending time outdoors, and even stiltwalking. She likes to travel and picnic, which led to her book Day Trips from Edmonton.

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