HELLO, STAR

A girl sees a brightly burning star in the night sky and is curious, but she becomes concerned when she learns that the star is dying.

Enamored by a bright shining star she learns is a supernova, the little Black girl sets out to learn everything about it she can. She asks questions about stars in school and reads books about stars. Every night she whispers to her star so that it knows it’s not alone. As time passes, she learns that her star is a blue giant, a rare sight from Earth. As a young woman, she goes to college to study stars and space, convinced that she will find a way to her star. And so she does. All grown up, the woman becomes an astronaut and authority on stars and space. She arrives in space just in time to witness her star fade to darkness and then burst into more bright, shining stars. Based on a conversation the author had with her son, this book celebrates a child’s curiosity and compassion. Though not based entirely on scientific facts, this book will stand up as an introduction to space and stars for very young readers. Harrison’s dreamy, blue-toned illustrations are a hit; front and rear endpaper illustrations artfully attest to the protagonist’s lifelong interest in space. The author’s note discusses the book’s inspiration. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Share with your favorite future astronauts.