Shine, Star, Shine! by Dom Conlon. Illus. by Anastasia Izlesou

From the author of Swim, Shark, Swim! comes the book Shine, Star, Shine! once again written in the complex poetic language style which sets these books apart from others in the factual narrative range. Our biggest star is the sun, and this story shares how it is so very important in our lives. From where it rises in the east, to night and day, how it ‘ripens the wheat in Idaho, adds fire to spice in Punjab’ and provides a source of growth for flowers and forests from China to Brazil.  The sun visits Australia and shares with the reader how it can burn and cause harm. It then travels west, through deserts, and to the North and South Poles where it stays low.

The striking illustrations are presented in a dark pallet of colour with the orange orb of the sun the focal point. There is a great deal of detail in each of the drawings to engage the readers and promote discussion. In particular, the images of the constellations are striking. The author has included Star Facts in the final pages which provide helpful explanations of more difficult words and concepts. This is a book which benefits from being read more than once and discussed with younger children. 

Teacher Notes can be found here. 

Themes: Sun, Stars, Planet Earth, Constellations.

Kathryn Beilby