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Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13 Kindle Edition
Where do light bulbs go when they burn out? Do they stay dead forever, or can they be regenerated to live a brand new life with a brand new purpose?
If they’re lucky, they go to Star Factory 13 to become glorious stars in the sky... after they pass a rigorous personality test given by Carelia the Light Goddess, that is.
But how in the world did 10-year-old Alicia end up in Star Factory 13? All she did was go shopping with her Mother to buy a new lamp for her bedroom. Could there really have been some magic in that department store Christmas tree - or perhaps it was the ride in the elevator with the Golden Door that did it. The elevator button said “Press Me” and Alicia willingly obliged.
Up she rode to the 13th floor to find an assortment of wise-cracking light bulb people, all with distinct personalities, each coming from sad, silly or desperate circumstance, all hoping to take their rightful place in the heavens.
Alicia and the Light Bulb People is an enchanting tale of friendship, courage, and realizing your star potential through the magic of believing.
Praise:
★★★★★ - "Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory Thirteen' touched my heart this holiday season on many levels."
★★★★★ - "The writing is solid, the concept endearing, and the lessons for children (both young ones and much older ones whose joy for fantasy has not diminished with age) are very well served. This little book is bound to become a popular classic."
- Reading age7 - 18 years
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level3 - 12
- Publication dateOctober 28, 2017
Editorial Reviews
Review
Christmas is only two weeks away and Alicia is bubbling with excitement in Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13 by Barbara Roman. Alicia has been asked by her mother to choose a lamp with a personality for her room as a special holiday gift. Alicia is curious to know how a lamp can have a personality and what exactly her mother means by that. Alicia's mother explains to her that things come in different shapes, sizes, and colors and they give a special feeling. As Alicia's mother walks into the furniture store, Alicia is enchanted by the Christmas tree in the center of the furniture department.Alicia stands there, staring transfixed at the star atop the tree. The sparkling tree transforms into a Golden Door and Alicia presses the button.From here, the story takes young readers on a magical trip along with Alicia.
The story introduces Alicia to different types of lights and there she meets Carelia, who invites her to Star Factory Number 13. The floor has a magical room where used light bulbs prepare themselves to be stars. The concept is absolutely magical and the lights, sparkles, and glitter capture the essence and beauty of the Christmas season. The illustrations are gorgeous and bright,and they bring out the magic of the author's words beautifully. The story has magic, humor, and interesting life lessons that will captivate young readers.It is a good storybook for bedtime storytelling, gifting during the Christmas season, and can be used for read aloud sessions in classrooms especially during the Christmas season. However, the story is suitable for any time of the year, too.
Product details
- ASIN : B076YWWGHD
- Publisher : Creativia; 1st edition (October 28, 2017)
- Publication date : October 28, 2017
- Language : English
- File size : 2.3 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 52 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,024,525 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,309 in Children's Books on Bullies
- #13,537 in Contemporary Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- #18,413 in Fantasy Adventure Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

As Barbara Roman, I am the author of the children's books, "Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13," "Hubert in Heaven - a hi-tech angel gets his wings," "The Prince Who Was A Piccolo," and my NEW RELEASE: "Horace Won't Sing (unless he doesn't have to)."
At once whimsical and magical, they are filled with deeper meanings that touch on spiritual and metaphysical philosophies. The characters are delightful and relatable, and there are many teachable moments about friendship, courage, self-esteem, bullying, and how to achieve your "star" potential through the magic of believing.
As B. Roman, I am the author of The Moon Singer Series, a YA metaphysical fantasy series (The Crystal Clipper, The War Chamber, The Wind Rose), as well as the prequel, "Before the Boy," and the historical romance, "The Immortal Rose Wyndham: The Beginning."
I have also penned the critically acclaimed suspense fiction "Whatever Became of Sin?" and "A Man's Face."
Find out more about all of my books on Facebook, Goodreads, AllAuthor, BookBub and Twitter (X)
Customer reviews
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book's artwork and cover to be visually appealing. They describe the story as delightful, with exciting scenarios and well-developed characters. Readers find the book easy to read and follow, making it a good choice for reluctant readers. The writing style is also praiseworthy, with no grammar or typo errors.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find the artwork magnificent, with a beautiful Christmas tree and colorful lights. The cover is awesome, with great hand-drawn colored pictures and proper font.
"...A very awesome book cover, great hand drawn colored pictures, & proper font & writing style. A very well written children’s fantasy story book...." Read more
"...matter the multiple nom de plumes, her writing is elegant and rich in visual delights and ideas, in this book brought into very fine focus by..." Read more
"...Suddenly, she is mesmerized by a beautiful Christmas tree which appears in the middle of the floor...." Read more
"...It is a fast easy read and the color illustrations are delightful...." Read more
Customers enjoy the engaging story that blends fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. They find the book delightful, with exciting scenarios and twists that keep them hooked. The intricate plot and well-developed characters make it a wonderful read for young readers. The artwork creates an otherworldly world that enhances the fantasy aspect of the book.
"...Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of...." Read more
"...The imagination Barbara shares in this splendid story opens the windows of children’s imagination and questions about those aspects of life that too..." Read more
"...font size make it a good choice for beginning readers, while the intricate plot and well-developed characters will appeal to middle-grade and young..." Read more
"...have to be ready. Magnificent artwork contributes to the otherworldly aspect, creating a fantasy world that will make you want to reread this..." Read more
Customers enjoy the well-developed characters in the book. They say it appeals to middle-grade readers.
"...Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of...." Read more
"...choice for beginning readers, while the intricate plot and well-developed characters will appeal to middle-grade and young adult audiences." Read more
"...Just the fact that the child characters in her stories are so intelligent and uplifting makes these stories wonderful to read to a child or to..." Read more
"...It’s a story about characters like Flood, Three-way and Twinkle and how they might fulfill their dreams to become stars...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and follow. They say it's a good choice for reluctant readers, with its creative style that makes it a good bedtime story. The book is well-written and has no dull moments, making it a suitable choice for children aged 6-8.
"...A very well written children’s fantasy story book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment...." Read more
"...dazzling illustrations and the large font size make it a good choice for beginning readers, while the intricate plot and well-developed characters..." Read more
"...are so intelligent and uplifting makes these stories wonderful to read to a child or to encourage them to read on their own." Read more
"...The author’s creative style makes it a good book to read out loud as a non-scary bedtime story...." Read more
Customers like the writing style. They say the book has proper font, no grammar or typo errors, and no repetitive or out-of-line sequences.
"...A very awesome book cover, great hand drawn colored pictures, & proper font & writing style. A very well written children’s fantasy story book...." Read more
"...But no matter the multiple nom de plumes, her writing is elegant and rich in visual delights and ideas, in this book brought into very fine focus by..." Read more
"...Well-written, with splendid images to sparkle it up, this is a fun and inspiring read." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2019Walker's Department Store. Alicia (10) was listening to the Christmas carols & admiring all the holiday gifts.
Furniture Dept. Her mother suggested Alice buy a new lamp for her room.
They have personality mother replied.
What happens when light bulbs burn out?
Alicia had to stop to glance at the huge glittery-white Christmas tree that was all decorated with tinsel & ornaments.
Suddenly the Christmas tree turned into a golden door.
Alicia stepped into the elevator as it began to move.
# 13th floor. Dim Bulb, Flood, Three Way, Puny Light, Twinkle, & Flicker greeted her.
Soon Ms. Pollyanna (cherry bulb) arrived to keep the boys/girls in line & meet Alicia.
Suddenly a star on top of the Christmas tree turned into Carelia the Light Goddess.
She runs Star Factory 13.
What did Carelia explain to Alicia?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great hand drawn colored pictures, & proper font & writing style. A very well written children’s fantasy story book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great children’s (ages 6-8) fantasy movie, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author (s); Creativia; 1st edition; BookSends; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
- Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2017Barbara Roman writes children’s books using that name for both ALICIA AND THE LIGHT BULB PEOPLE IN STAR FACTORY 13 and HUBERT IN HEAVEN. For her Young Adult fantasy series THE MOON SINGER TRILOGY and her suspense novel WHATEVER BECAME OF SIN? she opts for the moniker B. Roman. But no matter the multiple nom de plumes, her writing is elegant and rich in visual delights and ideas, in this book brought into very fine focus by illustrator Vladimir Cebu.
The imagination Barbara shares in this splendid story opens the windows of children’s imagination and questions about those aspects of life that too infrequently pass by adult minds to ponder. In this book she addresses the question of what happens to light bulbs that burn out and the result is a fairy tale of subtle beauty.
Barbara has also created a Christmas story as we learn from the opening paragraph – ‘Alicia skipped happily through the gaily-decorated aisles of Walker's Department Store, singing along with the bouncy Christmas carols coming from the overhead speakers. She was just about to pluck a piece of gold tinsel from a mannequin's wooden fingers when she caught that warning glint in her mother's eyes. But Alicia couldn't help bubbling with excitement, for Christmas was only two weeks away. As her special holiday gift from Mother, Alicia could personally select a new lamp for her freshly painted bedroom. Because Alicia would have the lamp for a long time, Mother suggested she choose one with a suitable personality. “But how can a lamp have a personality?” Alicia wanted to know. “It doesn't do anything but sit there.” “Why everything has a personality,” Mother said, as they browsed through the furniture department. “Things come in all different sizes, shapes, and colors. When we look at them they give us a certain feeling. They say something to us.”
The story proceeds as follows - ‘Where do light bulbs go when they burn out? Do they stay dead forever? Or can they be regenerated to live a brand new life with a brand new purpose? If they’re lucky they go to Star Factory 13 to become glorious stars in the sky…after they pass a rigorous test of their personality given by Carelia the Light Goddess, that is. But how in the world did 10-year-old Alicia get to Star Factory 13? All she did was go shopping in Walker’s Department Store with Mother to buy a new lamp for her bedroom. Could there really have been some magic in that department store Christmas tree? Or perhaps it was the ride in the elevator with the Golden Door that did it. The elevator button said “Press Me” and Alicia willingly obliged. Up she rode to the 13th floor to find an assortment of wise-cracking light bulb people, all with distinct personalities, each coming from sad, silly or desperate circumstance, all hoping to take their rightful place in the heavens. Alicia and the Light Bulb People is an enchanting tale of friendship, courage, and realizing your star potential through the magic of believing!’
Some sensitive screenwriter is bound to pick up this little tale and make it a film. The writing is solid, the concept endearing, and the lessons for children (both young ones and much older ones whose joy for fantasy has not diminished with age) are very well served. This little book is bond to become a popular classic. Grady Harp, November 17
- Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2018Ten-year-old Alicia is shopping with her mother for new lamps. Her mood is upbeat as she walks through Walker’s Furniture store two weeks before Christmas. Suddenly, she is mesmerized by a beautiful Christmas tree which appears in the middle of the floor. Alicia stares at its beautiful star and is whisked away to the 13th floor on an elevator that opens to a light bulb factory. She finds herself in a factory where light bulbs are retired after they stop working. Alicia meets Carelia, the fairy goddess who oversees the factory. Carelia informs Alicia that the light bulbs must pass a test to determine whether they might become stars and that she needs Alicia to help her. Alicia is confused and upset. She doesn’t understand why she is needed and how she wound up in a place where there is no past or tomorrow, but she will learn much about unique personalities, utilizing our talents, and working cooperatively. What is expected of her and why was she chosen? Will Alicia ever get back to her world? Did she ever leave it?
This book is a charming, fantasy, mystery, and science fiction read. It might be considered both a chapter book or a short story. The fifty-page length makes it a good choice for reluctant readers. Cebu creates dazzling illustrations and the large font size make it a good choice for beginning readers, while the intricate plot and well-developed characters will appeal to middle-grade and young adult audiences.
Top reviews from other countries
- Kenna McKinnonReviewed in Canada on December 8, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars A magical story suitable for all ages
A charming little story suitable for reading to young children or for older children who can read it themselves, perhaps tucked snugly in bed waiting for mother to turn off the lights. The 13th Floor takes on a different meaning when it leads to a magical room in which used lightbulbs prepare themselves to be stars! Alicia chooses her own lamp at last, and it’s a wondrous lamp and a remarkable lamp that any little girl would treasure forever.
This is a Christmas tale by Barbara Roman, a children’s writer who understands the magic of childhood. Suitable for any time of year and complete with lovely drawings, Alicia and the Light Bulb People is the perfect stocking stuffer for that special child or even adult. I will never look at the night sky the same way again!
- Diane Mae Robinson, Multi-award-winning children's authorReviewed in Canada on May 5, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastical Journey
hat really happens to burned out light bulb? Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13 will captivate the reader in this charming story about the fantastical journey light bulbs take.
Star Factory 13 is a truly magical place; a place where the discarded Light Bulb People go to school to learn to accept themselves for their individual attributes and find the courage to complete their journey. Alicia encourages them and helps them start their journeys, while learning some life lessons herself.
Author Barbara Roman has created a very imaginative tale full of wonder, surprises, and humor that will be enjoyed by children and adults
- AmyReviewed in Australia on December 28, 2020
4.0 out of 5 stars Magical!
A magical Christmas short story