When the bear cubs awake from their deep winter sleep, they see a mysterious shining star. Following the light of the star, the animals find a special surprise.

With its enchanting text and captivating illustrations, there is much to appreciate in this magical tale. A special surprise awaits readers who reach the end of this enthralling picture book.

Highly recommended. ( )

M. Christina Butler, author of the adorable Little Hedgehog books, here spins a gentle Christmas Eve tale in which a series of animal families observe a bright star in the sky, and are filled with wonder. Told in rhyming verse - "Fox and her cubs / see a star shining bright, / Filling the world / with its silvery light" - with each page bringing the reader closer to the shiny star, which can be seen through the die-cut pages, A Star So Bright concludes with the animals gathered round the Baby Jesus, underneath a twinkling light.

Having recently become a fan of English author M. Christina Butler's picture-books about Little Hedgehog, I thought I might try something else she had done, so when I saw this Christmas tale on display at my library, I immediately snatched it up! I'm glad I did, as it is a sweet little book, with gentle text and cute artwork that would make it an excellent bedtime selection. The light display at the end is a nice touch, especially for younger children who like some kind of interactive element. Recommended to younger, preschool children who enjoy "sparkly" books, or cute Christmas stories featuring animals. ( )