Gathering Sparks

K-Gr 3—Schwartz and Swarner have created another beautiful picture book based on Jewish folklore. The narration begins when "you" ask "your grandfather" about the origin of the stars. He responds that before people were created, God sent ships carrying light sailing across the sky. These fragile vessels broke apart, scattering their precious cargo across the Earth and sky. It is the job of the human race to gather the "sparks of light" and restore them to their proper place by doing acts of kindness and love. An endnote explains that the story is based on a Jewish myth, and although the author refers to "God," there is no reference in the story to a specific religion. Schwartz's language is simple, personal, and poetic, and his use of the second person adds a sense of intimacy. The text is printed in a large attractive font on top of the full-spread, full-color illustrations, sometimes black on light, sometimes white on dark. Swarner's stylized, painterly artwork is soft and gentle and complements the peaceful mood of the text. The rich, textured greens of the grass and trees and the deep speckled blues of the sky contrast with the soft radiance of the child's and grandfather's faces. This is a handsome book with a timeless message.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT