April 15, 2020
A young girl finds a way to make her star shine. A black-haired, brown-skinned child simply referred to as "the girl" walks in a rainy village accompanied by a gray tabby cat. She finds herself enveloped in a "world" that has "been dark for a long time. Rainy. Lonely. Dark." One day she makes an "enormous wish. She wished the lonely dark away." The next day she finds a star by the village's fountain. "It was beautiful and warm and perfect." Soon after attempting to hold it in her coat the girl realizes that it refuses to be hidden, but even in the open it is quickly losing its shine. The girl makes several futile attempts to revive it, but her numerous calls for help to the community are left unanswered. It is when she finds other children in need and decides to help and share the star that its light begins to shine brighter. A few idiosyncratic word choices ("shrinkier," "glowy") occasionally disrupt the flow of the narrative. However, Pray's textured line drawings are alluringly filled with pastel colors. Initially the pages are saturated in dark blues and grays, but as the girl's acts of kindness expand to others in her diverse community, the colors transform to a brighter tone. Pray lets readers know of their inherent power to bring about positive change, no matter their size. Illustrations elevate this tale of hope and empowerment. (Picture book. 3-6)
COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
April 15, 2020
Grades K-3 In a fablesque tale with eloquent touches, a girl hopes her town's seemingly endless rainy, dreary days will end. Unexpected opportunity arises when, after she wishes on a fountain, a glowing star appears. She ponders keeping it, but then determines that perhaps its light could make a difference for everyone, everywhere. But how to begin, and who could help? Residents of the fancy house on the hill aren't interested, shopkeepers' stores are closed, and people in the town square ignore her, leaving her discouraged and the star wilted . . . small as a smudge. But aided by the star, she finds little ways to make an impact, with the star growing each time, inspiring a succession of good deeds that chased away the lonely dark." Lovely watercolor-and-pencil illustrations further the often-lyrical narrative as the girl gives her sweater to cold children early on, and a baker offers bread to diverse, gathered folks at end. An overall uplifting story that shows the effect caring, sharing, and connection can have on individuals and a community.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)
May 18, 2020
Wishing for something to drive “the lonely dark away,” a girl finds a glowing orb in a village fountain. It’s a star, and it’s up to her to find out how to keep it shining brightly. Loose, spontaneous lines capture the child’s glossy black hair, red skirt, and yellow boots, and the kitten that accompanies her. The girl’s first efforts at starkeeping falter, with Pray’s narrative voice capturing the suspense: “The star was gloomy now. Shrinkier. Wilted.” Then the girl discovers that sharing makes the star brighter. She offers her sweater to a younger child, comforts a grieving woman, and distributes loaves of bread to the hungry. The lesson about generosity isn’t new, but Pray keeps it fresh with unexpected twists: the idea of the unearthly object that’s sustained by good deeds adds intrigue, and the story unfolds not in bright sunshine, but in the dark and the rain, offering a backdrop for the star’s warm light. The girl’s winsome expressions draw readers in, and the glowing star symbolizes the power of good deeds, no matter how small. Ages 3–7.
June 5, 2020
PreS-Gr 2-In this uplifting story of kindness and perseverance, a little girl wishes away the dark of the world and is given the gift of light. As a starkeeper, she sets out to share her light with others in need, and though the task is difficult at first, she ultimately succeeds in spreading light around the world, little by little. The story's message can be applied to a variety of difficult situations where positivity and compassion are needed, and is presented in a way that's easy for young readers to understand. Simple, straightforward prose makes for a pleasing read-aloud experience, and soft, atmospheric pencil and watercolor illustrations complement the text; the girl is depicted in bright colors while the world around her is initially shown in tones of gray, and then bathed in gentle colors as she and others share the light. VERDICT Themes of compassion, generosity, and determination make this gentle book a lovely first purchase for picture book collections.-Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Lib., CA
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.