Educational Activities: Kate’s Light by Elizabeth Spires

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Kate’s Light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse
Author: Elizabeth Spires
Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully
12 January 2021
Margaret Ferguson Books/​Holiday House
40 pages

I’m a fan of lighthouses, and I’ve liked Elizabeth Spires’ poetry for years, so going with her new picture book this month was an easy choice.

Book description from Goodreads: “When Kate Kaird immigrated with her young son Jacob from Germany to America in 1882, she couldn’t have predicted the surprising turn her life would take. She soon met and married John Walker, keeper of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. They moved to Robbins Reef Lighthouse in New York Harbor in 1885 and she became assistant keeper.

At first Kate wondered if she could live in such a lonely place, but she gradually grew to love life at Robbins Reef. When her husband died several years later, she was determined to stay on. After convincing the Lighthouse Board that she could do the job alone, Kate was appointed permanent keeper of the lighthouse, becoming one of the first women on the Eastern seaboard to be put in charge of an offshore lighthouse. She lived there 34 years and was known for her many rescues.

With watercolor and ink illustrations which perfectly capture the salty spray of the sea, Kate’s Light brings the turn of the century New York Harbor to life, with a focus on one of its little known but most crucial attendants. There is extensive additional material in the back of the book that includes an About Kate Walker section, photos of Kate and Robbins Reef Lighthouse, and a list of sources.”

Need some reviews of Kate’s Light?

Educational Activities inspired by Elizabeth Spires’ Kate’s Light:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What do you think this story will be about?
    • Why do you think the book is called “Kate’s Light”?
    • What does the phrase “Mind the light, Kate” on the back cover make you think of?
    • Does the lighthouse look like a happy place to live or work?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • How did Kate feel when she first moved to the lighthouse? 
      • Did those feelings change?
    • How important is the job of lighthouse keeper? 
      • Is it a job you could see yourself doing?
    • How did you feel when the Lighthouse Board wanted to replace Kate with a man?
    • What did Kate think were some of the advantages of living in an lighthouse?
    • The story ends with “Mind the lights.” What has the phrase come to mean to you?
    • What other story/​book/​film/​tv show does Kate’s Light remind you of?
  • Writing–Because the author is an accomplished poet, many of the details and descriptions are poetic, such as “Robbins Reef Lighthouse looked like a tiny candle on a birthday cake” and “its polished leaves sparkled in the sunlight, bright as a diamond.” Try your hand at creating similar memorable lines by filling in the phrases below with your own words: 
    • The lighthouse glowed like _____________
    • The ocean was as blue as __________
    • The harbor was _​_​_​_​_​_​_​ with ice
    • The wind _​_​_​_​_​_​_​ like a _________
    • The cup of coffee was _​_​_​_​_​_​_​ as ________
  • Art–Lighthouses are some of the most beautiful structures ever built–some people travel hundreds of miles just to seem them! With crayons or colored pencils, draw your own lighthouse. Make sure to give it a big, bright light! Consider sharing your artwork with a friend or adult, and explain your creative choices.
  • Crafting–Try your hand at one or more of the following crafts. Get an art- or lighthouse-​loving adult to help: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about lighthouses have you read? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)