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Saturday 10 April 2021

Review: Joe and the Stars

Joe lives under a wide sky filled with stars. He loves to climb trees and listen to kangaroos, and he loves gazing at the night sky.

Joe loves the stars. But then things change.

Joe and his family move to a city filled with soaring towers and lonely rooms.

He misses his old life and the wide-open spaces. He doesn’t like the new courtyard with one lonely tree. 

And he misses the stars, which he can no longer see when he looks out his window.

Will Joe ever get used to his new world away from the stars with his new house and new friends? Is there a way he can make the stars come back?

Joe and the Stars
is a charming picture book about new friendships, imagination and wonder. It’s about pushing through challenges and finding creative ways to create the things you love, even if it’s in ways that are a little different.

It’s about being open to the new, even while you’re holding onto the old, and discovering that change brings good things too.

Author Phil Cummings writes with whimsical, lyrical language. With his words, he paints the landscape and evokes emotions. Then add in Connah Brecon’s stunning illustrations and you have a picture book you want to run your hands over as you read and hug tight when you close the cover at the end.

The colours are deep and vibrant, the characters are funky and detailed, and Brecon’s way with layout and design choices sucks you in and makes you pause as you read so you can explore each page in detail.

There is so much emotion in this picture book, delivered through both story and illustrations. Together they create an immersive experience.

For all kids who have experienced change they may not have been fans of, Joe and the Stars will inspire them to find creative solutions to their problems.

For more books by Phil Cummings, check out Boy, Anzac Biscuits and Ride, Ricardo, Ride!. For more books by Connah Brecon, check out The Book Chook, Allergic Alpaca, Foothand Elbownose.

Title: Joe and the Stars
Author: Phil Cummings
Illustrator: Connah brecon
Publisher: Scholastic, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 February 2021
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781742995045
For ages:  3 - 6
Type: Picture Book