Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

August 1, 2001
Youngsters well know the opening lines of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Sylvia Long revisits the classic and includes the traditional verses "When the blazing sun is gone,/ When he nothing shines upon,/ Then you show/ your little light,/ Twinkle, twinkle,/ all the night" alongside celestial watercolor depictions of critters heading home at nightfall. A baby frog eats grubs for supper; a mouse is tucked under the covers.

January 1, 2002
PreS-The traditional lullaby is told in its entirety, as the poetic images celebrate the star appearing when the sun sets, guiding the traveler in the dark, glowing throughout the night, and remaining always mysterious. The luminous watercolors show an unusual group of anthropomorphic animals gazing in awe from a hilltop at the first star of the evening and then separating to go home to their loving parents. The frogs have a fine dinner of worms and insects, the chipmunk brushes his teeth, the crow splashes in the bathtub, the opossum puts on his pajamas, the skunk family reads a story together, and the mouse is tucked into bed. A red fox in pantaloons and a smock has the role of lamplighter in the darkening town. A variety of picture sizes from spreads to vignettes, imaginative yet realistic figures, gentle humor, and familiar nighttime routines combine to make a charming bedtime experience.-Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA

Copyright 2002 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 24, 2001

A favorite nursery song inspires a fanciful trip through time. Using only the lyrics as text, Harker (Someone, Somewhere) serves up merry watercolors in a rainbow of pale hues. These follow a contemporary boy and his younger sister, stroller and all, as they follow the twinkling (here, silver-foil-stamped) star from their backyard to ancient Bethlehem—and the baby Jesus. A sweet-natured adventure. Ages 2-up.

January 1, 2002
The watercolor illustrations accompanying Jane Taylors familiar rhyme tell the story of six animal friends at the end of the day. High on a hill, they watch the first star come out, then return to their homes and families. As the night sky gets darker and more filled with stars, a lamplighter makes his rounds and the youngsters are tucked into bed in this soothing good-night book.

(Copyright 2002 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)