Review Detail

WAITING FOR THE STARS is a sweet picture book about anticipation, friendship, and stargazing. Mouse and her friends, Owl, Firefly, and Squirrel are staying awake at night to see the stars, but the wait feels so very long. Mouse is so excited, but with Owl's long story and the soothing warmth of her friends, she is finding it hard to stay awake. Just when it seems impossible, they see the stars, and they are so pretty. However, a cloud rolls in and blocks their view. Luckily, Firefly and friends create a special view for the friends.

What I loved: This story will resonate with young readers who understand anticipation and how hard it can be to wait for things you are excited about. Seeing the stars can be a very thrilling event, even though staying awake at night may not be as easy. Messages of friendship and enjoying the night sky shine through this simple story. Elegant illustrations set against the dark night make this a solid pick for bedtime.

What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the story felt disjointed in places and as though it needs to be read between the lines, which can be a tough thing for toddlers, who will need some of the story explained to them.

Final verdict: Overall, WAITING FOR THE STARS is a cute picture book about the difficulty of patience, the magic of stars, and the power of friendship.