The Starkeeper
by Faith Pray (Author)
A fallen star and one child's kindness lead to a chain of good works that change her town from a dreary, dark place to one of dazzling brightness. When a girl finds a fallen star, she decides to keep it hidden. But this star encourages kindness and needs to shine, so it comes out from the shadows.
At first the glow from the star starts to fade, and the girl worries--maybe she's not a very good starkeeper. Then a chance gesture of kindness seems to brighten the star, and soon this kindness leads to a chain of good works that light up the once-dreary town.
The art of the book follows the star's journey and lights up more and more with each act of kindness.
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Publishers Weekly
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)
Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
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.Review quotes
Faith Pray (yes, that's really her name!) comes from a family of talented children's book creators, but her extraordinary talents for capturing light and shadow and conveying emotion and story through line work are all her own. She also illustrated One Day by Joanna Ho and is the author-illustrator of Perfectly Imperfect Mira and The Starkeeper. Faith lives with her husband and children plus a helpful cat and a mischievous chocolate lab puppy in the Pacific Northwest.
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
Kindness
Stars
