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Title: Hello, Star
Author: Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic
Illustrator: Vashti Harrison
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Picture Book, Science
Audience: Children
My Review:
What a lovely book! It’s a realistic story but the illustrator captured the girl’s excitement in touches of whimsy throughout. The soft focus of the artwork gives the book the feel of a dream, even while the girl/woman is working hard to do real things. One spread near the end gives me goosebumps.
I especially love that the girl is fascinated by science. By leaving her unnamed, the author invites her young readers to see themselves in the story. I hope this beautiful book inspires young dreamers to reach for their own stars, whatever they may be.
My Synopsis:
A young girl spots a bright star in the night sky. She finds out that it’s a supernova. This seemingly innocuous incident sparks a lifelong passion in the girl and pushes her to achieve her big dreams as she grows into a woman.
Recommended by:
Similar Books:
If you liked Hello, Star, you might also like my reviews of
- Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
- Fatima’s Great Outdoors by Ambreen Tariq, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
- Instructions by Neil Gaiman
Purchase:
Buy Hello, Star from Malaprop’s Bookstore in beautiful Asheville, NC or
How clever to leave the main character unnamed, I think you’re right that readers can insert themselves in the position of the girl.
It was such an inspirational story. I hope it plants seeds that grow in young minds.
Oh, this looks cute! I love how creative authors get with picture books.
I’m amazed when children’s authors pack an impactful story into such few pages.
Agreed! It’s wonderful how much story they can tell in such a short space and with so few words.
Thank you for sharing this picture book. I will look for it.
I think you’ll like it. I thought of you as soon as I read it.