The Thing to Remember about Stargazing

A picture-book ode to stargazing with an underlying message of awe for the wonders of nature.

What is the most important thing to remember about stargazing? When to do it, who to do it with, what to look for? It’s none of those! This picture book’s spare, lyrical text offers many possible ways to do stargazing: with a friend, with family, or alone; on a moonless night, or with a full moon, or even with some clouds; on the beach, lying in the grass, or standing on a snowy hill. There is only one rule of stargazing, which is saved for the end, and that is just to do it! Magical illustrations show polar bears, whales, and other animals stargazing too, and in the final illustration, diverse kids and animals gaze at the night sky together. Back matter about the constellations completes this bedtime story with its underlying message of love and respect for nature. color throughout

Matt Forrest Esenwine is the author of numerous picture books, and his poetry can be found in anthologies like The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry and the Donald Hall tribute, Except for Love.

Sonia Maria Luce Possentini is an award-winning illustrator in Modena, Italy. After earning a degree in Art History at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, she became a painter and illustrator and is a professor of illustration at the International School of Comics in Reggio Emilia. Sonia Possentini has illustrated thirteen award-winning children’s books, including Night Creatures (2021, Millbrook Press); Hold On to Your Music (2021, Little, Brown); and Lion Lights (2022, Tilbury House).