Common Sense Media Review
By Sun Cooper
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Glowing tale of a boy discovering deeper meaning of home.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
WHEN THE STARS CAME HOME tells the story of a young boy named Ojiig struggling to adjust from his life in the country to life in a big city. His family tries to help him replace his beloved nightly sky of stars with small glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars and a soft night light for his room, but nothing comforts him till his mother surprises him with a colorful star quilt. Piece by piece, she shares ancestral stories while Ojiig helps her sew. Wrapping himself in his new family quilt, gratitude gives him a new sense of home and belonging.
Is It Any Good?
Brittany Luby writes a tender tale detailing a young boy's homesickness and then delivers the antidote -- warmly wrapping him in meaningful ancestral stories which span places and generations before him. Natasha Donovan's illustrations in When the Stars Came Home glow, as seem lit from within, seemingly painted with stardust. This is a luminous, comforting book for young readers, many of whom will relate to homesickness and find encouragement in knowing that home is defined by those "who came before you" and "where you discover who you are."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Ojiig discovered a new sense of home by learning family stories. Inspired by the family memories shared in When the Stars Came Home, what's a family story or tradition that comforts you?
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In the back of the book, a link to the Ojibwe People's Dictionary is provided. What new, interesting words might you enjoy learning? What's fun about learning new languages?
In the city, Ojiig's family hunted for stars. Where did they find them? What stars can you see?
In the story, a quilt provides comfort to Ojiig because each star-patterned piece reminds him of a family story. How doe Ojiig's gratitude for family help him in his new home? What items in your home remind you to appreciate your family?
Book Details
- Author: Brittany Luby
- Illustrator: Natasha Donovan
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Adventures , History , Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Gratitude
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Little Brown and Company
- Publication date: November 21, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Hardback
- Last updated: February 9, 2024
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