The Thing to Remember about Stargazing

Matt Forrest Esenwine, Sonia Maria Luce Possentini (Illustrator)

$18.95

Publication Date: October 3rd, 2023

Publisher:

Tilbury House Publishers

ISBN:

9780884489405

Pages:

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Description

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.

About the Author

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).

Praise for The Thing to Remember about Stargazing

“The Thing to Remember About Stargazing is that this book will light up the young minds and imaginations of children and send them clamoring to go outside to bask in the glory of the night sky. Poet Matt Forrest Esenwine does a masterful job of making us not only see the stars with fresh eyes, but also feel their enormous presence in our lives, to let us know that “every one of the countless stars is craving your attention.” Parents and children will want to read and reread this enchanting book as Matt’s lyrical poetry paints vivid, memorable word pictures for young readers across ‘the canvas of the sky’.”

—Charles “Father Goose”® Ghigna, author of The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry

“With its playful, poetic voice, this book reminds us that there is no perfect time to look up and wonder. All over the world, the beauty of the stars is waiting for us.”

—Joyce Sidman, Newbery Honor winner and recipient of the NCTE Award for Excellence in Children's Poetry

"There is one important, but simple thing to remember when gazing at stars, and the young reader of The Thing to Remember about Stargazing will, by the end, be reminded of that, while being fascinated by the mysteries of stars and the puzzle of constellations in the night skies.

They will also be gently prompted to grab a chair, spread a blanket on the grass, or stop for a moment while riding bikes in the evening hours to glance up at the wonder that is above us. Night after night children, families, best friends and even polar bears turn their eyes to the beauty of the skies to be amazed by stars. This book is a reminder to do just that."

—Rebecca Kai Dotlich, award-winning children’s author/poet

“Matt Forrest Esenwine turns his lyrical mind’s eye toward the heavens and the result is a poetic and engaging text that not only encourages readers to wonder about the stars but invites them to wander amongst them with whimsy and imagination. Esenwine’s carefully crafted, elegant yet simple words will be treasured by young and not so young readers.”

—Padma Venkatraman, award-winning author and poet