Stars Above Us - Geoffrey Norman

Illustrated by E. B. Lewis
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2009
$16.99
32 pages
For: kids
Rating: 4
Endpapers: Dusky blue

Amanda's father reads her bedtime stories, and comforts her when she's afraid of things. When she tells him she's afraid of the dark, he picks her up and shows her all the wonderful things that can be found in the dark - fireflies and the night sky, full of stars. Then he gets some glow-in-the dark stars and creates a night sky on her bedroom ceiling.

But that's only the beginning of the story. We soon discover that Amanda's father is "going away" for a long time. He reminds her of the connection in the sky, and that the North Star can be seen from anyplace in the world. When he calls her on the phone, you can see he is in army fatigues. He keeps reminding her to wish on "their" star.

And home her dad does come, it's afterquite awhile, but he does return. And she surprises him with lots of additions to the night display in her darkened bedroom.

A gentle but powerful story. And E. B. Lewis' illustrations, as usual, delicate and poignant and perfect.

Sky Magic - Lee Bennett Hopkins

POETRY
Illustrated by Mariusz Stawarski
Dutton Children's/Penguin
$17.99
March, 2009
Rating: 4
Endpapers: Bright orange to pale orange, fading (top to bottom)

14 poems about the sun, moon, and stars - including Schertle, Dotlich, Heard, McCord, and Sandburg.

The illustrations, by polish artist Stawarski, are bright, dark colors, with a decidedly geometric feel, color everywhere...the only white is the font!

Sun
Soleiel!

I’m your star
center stage
the poem on your page
beauty
power
the beat ablaze

I amaze

I am the candle on your cake
a sparkler burning bright

I am light
splendor
bliss

at dawn, your kiss

tenderly,
I come to you
a diamond
on the morning dew

I am the wonder of all sky

I am the twinkle in your eye.

Lyn Littlefield Hoopes

Song
Sing to the sun
It will listen
And warm your words
Your joy will rise
Like the sun
And glow
Within you

Sing to the moon
It will hear
And soothe your cares
Your fears will set
Like the moon
And fade
Within you.

Ashley Bryan

Regards to the Man in the Moon - Ezra Jack Keats

Originally published 1981, new edition 2009
$15.99
Rating: 3.5
Endpapers: Dark sky with faint stars - cool

Louis creates a spacecraft from junk in his family's junkyard and off he goes! Friends try to follow him (in a bathtub, no less), get scared, and their imaginations turn off, so they get stuck. Moral: you must have a great imagination.

The book shows the vallue of creativity and imagination, as well as a love of the skies, the very faraway skies, with a little recycling thrown in. And Keat's illustrations are timeless.

Official Ezra Jack Keats website with infomation about his foundations, his books, the awards that are given in his name (first time authors and illustrators) and his life. Quite interesting.