On the Night of the Shooting Star - Hardcover

Hest, Amy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763691542 ISBN 13: 9780763691547

Publisher: Candlewick, 2017

Synopsis

For solitary neighbors Bunny and Dog, reticence overcomes curiosity — until something extraordinary happens to nudge them into friendship.

Bunny and Dog live on opposite sides of the fence. Every morning, first thing, Bunny looks through the fence and the tall grass at Dog. And every morning, first thing, Dog looks through the fence and the tall grass at Bunny. Yet neither one says hello. Or hi. Or nice to see you today. But then, one night, Bunny and Dog both see a shooting star zip through the sky. Could this shared moment be the start of a friendship? From storyteller Amy Hest and artist Jenni Desmond comes a lyrical, touching, and timely picture book about finding the courage to say “I could be your friend.”

About this title

About the Author

Amy Hest is the author of many beloved picture books, including Kiss Good Night, illustrated by Anita Jeram; Charley’s First Night and When Charley Met Grampa, both illustrated by Helen Oxenbury; and Are You Sure, Mother Bear?, illustrated by Lauren Tobia. Amy Hest lives in New York City.

Jenni Desmond is the creator of several picture books, including The Polar Bear, The Blue Whale, and Red Cat Blue Cat. She is also the illustrator of The First Slodge by Jeanne Willis. Jenni Desmond lives in London.

Reviews

PreS-K—A simple, soft, and endearing story of friendship about neighbors who live on opposites sides of a white picket fence. Bunny drinks lots of cocoa, plants carrots, and peeks at Dog, while Dog eats biscuits, plays with his ball, and wonders about Bunny. Seasons come and seasons go, but the neighbors never say hello to each other. Until, on one sleepless night, both Bunny and Dog simultaneously witness a shooting star, and a new friendship ignites. Hest's narrative line is concise and clear and possesses a magical quality matched by Desmond's airy, muted watercolor and mixed-media illustrations. The characters are dynamic, and full-page images and small vignettes alike are playfully imagined with charming details that readers will enjoy viewing again and again. VERDICT Enchantingly fresh, this lighthearted tale of friendship deserves a place in every picture book collection. Pair with Beth Ferry's Stick and Stone or Cynthia Rylant's "Mr. Putter and Tabby" series for stories that inspire kindness and neighborliness and that value the warm comfort of finding a friend.—Brianne Colombo, Fairfield Free Public Library, NJ

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0763691542
• ISBN 13: 9780763691547
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Desmond Jenni
• Number of pages: 32