Fall 2021 (September);
~ LibraryThing Arc

Thank you to Alan Lightman, Olga Pastuchiv, Susanna Chapman, MIT Kids Press, and LibraryThing for this early reviewer copy for an honest review.

As an avid reader, lover of books, English Professor, and aunt of several amazing nieces and nephews, I do delight in choosing children's books every once in a while to be a reviewer on. This beautiful book is about introducing even more than just the stars at night to children. Opening up the wide truth of just how large the universe(s) out there, beyond our little blue marble, are, and how wonderous it all is.

I, also, really appreciated that the last few pages after the story ended were even more facts about space. ( )

Disappointing. I had looked forward to this one and expected much more attractive illustrations. ANd the story was only so-so. ( )

Ada loves to look up in the sky at night and see the stars. The only problem is that she lives in the city and all of the lights make the stars difficult to see. She looks forward to the summer months when she visits her grandparents in Maine where the stars are everywhere. But, her first night there the fog is so thick that they can’t even see the sky.
The beautiful illustrations combine with the sweet story of a grandchild spending time with her grandparents as they foster her curiosity. This book is recommended as an elementary read aloud. It could be used to introduce a study about space and or the ocean and to discuss the wonder of science. ( )

Ada lives in New York, where the city lights blot out the stars, so Ada is excited to visit her grandparents, Ama and Poobah, on an island in Maine. All day Ada waits impatiently for it to get dark so she can see stars, but once darkness falls, the fog rolls in. Poobah shows Ada pictures of stars and galaxies, and the sky clears, allowing them all to see the night sky in all its brilliance.

Illustrations are in watercolor ("with a digital assist" and photos from the Hubble Space Telescope; they have a lovely, loose, swirly feel, while depicting items from the natural world (e.g. seashells, dandelions, crabs) with accuracy.

Ada has a lovely relationship with her grandparents, who help her manage her disappointment and distract her by directing her interest elsewhere while they wait for stars to come out: they watch an osprey nest, go kayaking, and build a fairy house with shells and moss. This book is a treat for any reader interested in science, outer space, or the beach. ( )