Star Child

K-Gr 3—Star Child is "a flame of vapor, invisible and timeless," living somewhere far off in outer space where he longs to visit the distant planet Earth. Told in a small pretty volume, his story consists mainly of his elders' explanation of what he will experience if he is born as a human and lives on Earth. "Here it is still and peaceful, but there the colors, sensations, and sounds will wash over you constantly." In this particular scene, the dark-haired boy representing the Star Child as human is among the shoppers in a busy, open vegetable market. Nivola's pleasant watercolor scenes vary from scattered vignettes and pictures of assorted size to double-page views of the market, a forest, and the seaside. Most of the journey is through the childhood years as Star Child is "plunged into Earth's river of time." Eventually, he does grow up: "Over the years you will try to make sense of that happy, sad, full, empty, always-shifting life you are in." In the end, Star Child decides to make the trip, ultimately returning to stardom at the end of his earthly life and glad he had done it. The philosophical, even allegorical scheme is likely to elude children, though they can surely relate to the attractive views of childhood. The idea of human life originating and ending somewhere far beyond Earth will mesh with some religious beliefs. The presentation might work with primary grade children, but it seems more likely to appeal to some new mothers.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston