Are Your Stars Like My Stars?

Introspection goes global in this inquisitive lullaby. Helakoski's gently rhyming lyrics accompany readers on an exploration of hues that contemplates the perspectives of children around the world: "Do you splash in a puddle/ when the world is washed clean?/ Are the leaves fresh and bright?/ Is your green.../ ...like my green?" The text emphasizes building empathy and suggests that all children, differences aside, view their surroundings with a universal curiosity. Though the tiny text can be difficult to read, page turns invite pondering. Dynamic and generously textured collage illustrations by Sheffield lend the hued romp friendliness and warmth, with a softness that amplifies the childlike narrator's questions. An inclusive cast of children is depicted going about their everyday lives--engaging in activities such as playing soccer, picking apples, and baking cookies. The vivid, active spreads soon quiet into black and white, stirring somnolence, and text matches the mood: "Is the night sweet and sleepy?" A moonlit bed and starry snowscapes further the tranquility in this dreamy exploration of color and perspective. Ages 4-7. Author's agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. Illustrator's agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Jan.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1--Children are asked to consider how people experience color across the world in this culturally diverse concept book. In a patterned text, readers learn about how children see and experience a variety of colors, including blue, gold, brown, green, yellow, red, pink, black, and white. For example, "Do you splash in a puddle/when the world is washed clean?/Are the leaves fresh and bright?/ Is your green.../...like my green?" A child in boots and a raincoat walking in a spring rain appears on the verso, while a girl peeks through a lush tropical rain forest on the recto. Neither locale is identified. The book concludes by asking readers if everyone sees the same thing, emphasizing what people have in common, with the last illustration showing two children sitting together and looking up at the same star. Helakoski's rhymes are lyrical and flowing, ready to be read aloud, and the style, which is question-heavy, encourages discussion. Sheffield's illustrations are bright, colorful, and eye-catching, making the title appropriate for group sharing. Although the diversity of places and people depicted, as well as the sentiment of the book, is admirable, there are some flaws in the execution. The tiny font often gets lost on the colorful pages and some colors inexplicably receive four pages rather than one-to-two pages. VERDICT Despite the flaws, this is a worthy addition to any children's collection and a unique take on a concept book for colors. Recommended.--Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

The best feature of the book is the highly textured, collage-style illustrations, many of which contain soft strokes of color that give the images a pleasantly dreamlike quality. . . . the book's timely message of universality among diversity is a highly relevant one. —Kirkus