The Stuff of Stars by Marian Dane Bauer and Illustrated by Ekua Holmes

Genre

Coretta Scott King Winner

Target Age Group

2-7, PreK-3 grade

Summary

This is a beautiful children’s book that discusses science alongside beautiful art to convey how we came to exist in this world. 

Justification for Choosing

I selected this book because the cover caught my eye while i was searching through a list of Coretta Scott King Award winners. Additionally, I saw that this book was available in ebook format through Libby from my local library which fulfills the requirement of reading a picture book as an ebook for this blog assignment. 

Evaluation

For this review, I will be evaluating the book's plot, cover, and illustrations. 

Plot: 

The Stuff of Stars features a plot that flows easily, making it a quick and engaging read for children. The book tackles the complex question of where everything comes from which is a curiosity many children will be able to relate to. The captivating illustrations and poetic narrative work together to explore the universe's creation in a scientific manner that is easy for kids to understand. Additionally, the narrative is conveyed like a mother telling her child a story. This is something many young readers can relate to as they’ve likely experienced moments of storytelling with a loved one as well. The story is clear and simplistic which will keep children’s attention and allow them to easily follow along with the unfolding tale of how stars, planets, and their life came to be. 

Cover: 

The cover of the book does a fantastic job of capturing the attention of anyone who picks it up. The cover showcases a beautiful image of a mother and child. This heartwarming illustration sets the tone for the book and immediately captivates those who appreciate art. The cover's illustration style is consistent throughout the book, ensuring that readers are not misled and they'll continue to enjoy the unique and captivating visuals. Additionally, the awards displayed on the cover convey the book's high-level of acclaim and quality, further enticing potential readers. However, as I read this book in an eBook format, I missed out on seeing the back cover. This is a notable downside of using eBooks, as readers cannot easily view the reviews or synopsis that are typically showcased on the physical book as this often helps to inform people about the book and persuade them to pick it up.   

Illustrations: 

The Stuff of Stars features a unique illustration style that captivates both young children and adults as it feels like you are looking at a painting on each page. The marbled paint effect combines black with bright colors to create beautiful visuals that are unique to the style utilized in a lot of children’s picture books. These illustrations complement and progress the story’s plot as pictures of space and a mother and child are showcased to readers so they can better visualize the narrative. The illustrations not only do a great job enhancing the narrative, but they also makes the book visually delightful for readers of all ages. Even though I read this in ebook format, the illustrations were still extremely clear and vibrant, which makes me recommend the story in physical and digital formats. 

Overall Rating: 5/5

References 

Bauer, M.B. (2018). The Stuff of Stars (E. Holmes, Illus.). Candlewick.