A STAR SO BRIGHT

The star over Bethlehem is the focus of this gentle story of Christmas Eve, one that is short enough and simple enough for younger preschoolers who are just learning about the Nativity story. Three appealing bears gaze up at a large, glittery star on the cover’s right corner, leading the reader into the oversized volume where the star motif is repeated in the same position on each spread. Different animals in each succeeding spread look up at the star in the same way, with a short rhyming verse to identify the animals and explore their feelings of wonderment. The star on each spread is die-cut to allow the glittering star from the final page to shine through, and each succeeding die-cut star grows bigger in size as the pages are turned. The final page shows the stable animals gathered around the Christ Child in the manger with the huge, sparkling star overhead, with this final star twinkling for added effect. Pedler’s animal characters, often shown in family groups, have a sweet charm, especially one little duck who gazes in amazement at the star’s reflection in a pond. (Picture book. 2-5)