How to Catch a Star

September 1, 2004
PreS-K-In this whimsical picture book, a young stargazer decides he wants to catch a star. He ventures out at sunrise since he believes the stars will be "tired from being up in the sky all night." He waits all day, only to see one at sunset. The many schemes he concocts prove ineffective, and the sad child heads home along the beach. When he sees a sea star washed up on the sand, he is happy at last to have a star of his own. While the boy's original plan is counterintuitive, the rest of his schemes hold true for what a young child might dream up. The stylized watercolor cartoons are droll and lighthearted, resonating well with the tone of the story. Pair this with Kevin Henkes's Kitten's First Full Moon (Greenwillow, 2004) to share some nighttime adventures at storytime.-Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2004
PreS-Gr. 2. Oliver is a young boy who loves stars and wants one for himself. But no matter how high he reaches, the stars he chooses are out of reach. The seagull can't help him; perhaps a rocket ship might. Even when it appears that a star has fallen into the water, Oliver finds he's only grasping at a reflection. Jeffers uses a panoply of geometric figures (Oliver's head is ball, trees are lines topped with circles and decorated with squares) colored in jewel tones to tell the story. Although the pictures are spare, they have a haunting quality and much child appeal. Kids will like the end of the story, as well: Oliver finds a starfish on the beach that satisfies his longing.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)