This is my first book to review since joining Blogging for Books. My choice of book was Little Star by Anthony DeStefano. I wanted a book that I could share with my grandchildren It arrived in time for me to be able to read it to them, just before Christmas Eve. I was excited to have a new book to read to them. Since I do not read the traditional Santa story books to them I was glad there was a book that discussed Jesus instead. It was not based on the nativity scene or how Mary and Joseph had to have their baby in a stable. It was written from a different view on the star. Even though it does not end in the way I would have hoped, I still will include this book each year as part of a new tradition with my grandchildren. A book that can add to family tradition is rated very high in my opinion.
Before giving you a brief summary of what I enjoyed about the story, I want to give also give credit to the illustrator. The pictures in the book are absolutely a brilliant work of art. The people are so life-like and the stars have been given personalities. The illustrations are an pleasure along with the story.
The main characters are a father and son and they are discussing what happened to the Christmas star. The father explains to his son that it is no longer in the sky for viewing. He then explains what happened to him...
There would be a reward for the star who could shine the brightest on the night the baby king was born. Being the littlest, Little Star sadly thught he would not stand a chance to win the reward.
When the other star noticed the baby was born in a stable, they did not think it was worthy of a king and felt disappointed. But Little Star realized it was the king and that he chose to be born this way because to show people he loved them no matter how small or poor they were. Little Star was the only one that understood who the baby was and used all of his light to warm the cold stable. The other stars were worried about Little Star because he was burning brighter and brighter and would burn himself out. He did not hear their warning and only knew he wanted to keep the baby Jesus warm. When dawn came Little Star was gray and dim.
The son was sad, but the father told him that Little Star would always be remembered because people all over the world place a star on top of their trees at Christmas. The son looked up at his own tree and smiled.
My grandchildren are 4 and 6. They did not understand the full meaning of the story just by me reading it. But that is the wonderful part of reading to children. You can teach them where they are at the time of their age. This year I explained the whole story, but next year they will understand it more and each year they will gain even more from it. I was able to share the Bible's version of the star and the stable etc. We also discussed other concepts such as no matter how little or young you are God has given you a special gift to use to help Jesus and His Kingdom. We discussed how Jesus taught in parables and the story of Little Star was a parable.
I will enjoy sharing this book for years to come. I am a very sentimental person, so I do need a facial tissue to finish it. I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for giving this review on Blogging for Books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.
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