Best new books for young kids
Turn your preschooler through second grader onto this season's top new page turners.
By Susan Freinkel
Stars
By Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Maria Frazee
Ages: 3 and up
This sweet ode to stars begins and ends with the night sky. In between, Stars explores all sorts of other places where stars can be found, both literally and figuratively: on pajamas or school papers; in snowflakes or the flowers in a pumpkin patch. A star can transform a stick into a magic wand or a kid into a sheriff. Ray’s simple prose and Frazee’s playful illustrations combine to create a lovely stream-of-consciousness feel that encourages a child's mind to wander and wonder.
Bottom line: Reading with your child is sure to spark conversation and inspire star-related crafts and a star hunt of your own.
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