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The Night the Stars Went Missing

By Arthur J. Gonzalez

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This is a beautifully illustrated book that connects readers to the concept of global conservation in a unique way.

Synopsis

In The Night the Stars Went Missing, Winston has spent each night watching the stars glimmer across the skies. When they suddenly go missing, he knows something is wrong, and sets off on a mission to find them. His investigation takes him to the clouds, where he meets a humorous shooting star and discovers that the stars have not just vanished, but that they have gone into hiding. Winston learns that their reason to hide is out of to fear. Fear, that they, too, shall be next to experience the stress the humans have placed on their friend, planet Earth. It is up to Winston to convince the stars to return.

A young boy named Winston is missing his grandmother after her departure from the earthly realm. Luckily, his grandmother promised the stars would always be there as evidence of her guiding love, and Winston leans on their steadfast presence to help ease the pain he feels. One night, however, Winston realizes with despair that the stars have gone missing, calling into question the promise his grandmother made. Reaching out to the moon for help, Winston finds himself on a journey of discovery to learn not only what the stars fear, but also to embrace the power he has to remedy the mistakes that have been made by others in his world. Only time will tell if Winston's epiphany is sufficient to bring truth and light back to the night sky, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to return the stars to their rightful home.


This picture book is well suited to elementary school aged readers with an interest in both the stars and in global conservation. Though the premise overall is noteworthy, the textual presentation is limited and clunky, leaving readers to wonder at some of the details that have been omitted. Due to this, readers are less able to connect with Winston and his feelings than they might otherwise be. However, once the main point of the story comes to light, readers are better equipped to empathize with Winston's honorable mission.


Despite the shortcomings in the plot, this book features beautifully designed, richly pigmented illustrations that draw the reader's eye from the first moments. Readers familiar with Inside Out and Over the Moon will recognize this book’s similar illustrative style that incorporates vivid color, expressive faces, and a plethora of whimsical characters. The images are certainly the strongest feature of the book, helping to augment the story through their complementary involvement. There are occasions when the text is obscured by the illustrations, which can be frustrating, but overall the visuals are extremely stunning and memorable. Young readers with a passion for space and with a desire to protect the fragile nature of the earth will appreciate the intent of this book as well as its visually appealing imagery.

Reviewed by
Mary Lanni

I review books for kids, tweens, and teens and blog about them on my website. To date, I have over 500 published reviews. Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.maryrlanni.com to get recommendations straight to your inbox! I primarily write reviews, but will create video reviews upon request.

The Night the Stars Went Missing

Written by Arthur J. Gonzalez

Buy it nowBuy nowBuy
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Synopsis

In The Night the Stars Went Missing, Winston has spent each night watching the stars glimmer across the skies. When they suddenly go missing, he knows something is wrong, and sets off on a mission to find them. His investigation takes him to the clouds, where he meets a humorous shooting star and discovers that the stars have not just vanished, but that they have gone into hiding. Winston learns that their reason to hide is out of to fear. Fear, that they, too, shall be next to experience the stress the humans have placed on their friend, planet Earth. It is up to Winston to convince the stars to return.

The Night the Stars Went Missing

Written by Arthur J. Gonzalez

Buy it nowBuy nowBuy
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2 Comments

Arthur J. Gonzalez – Hello, everyone! I am so exited to share The Night the Stars Went Missing with you all. For me, this book is a crucial starting point for parents to have meaningful conversations with their children around a crisis that looms over our generations. I hope you enjoy it. <3
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over 1 year ago
samantha pillay – Greetings, I am interested in establishing connections with fellow children's book authors. If you would also like to stay informed about my new releases please follow back. Warm regards, Sam
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over 1 year ago
About the author

Arthur currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, where he spends most of his time crafting stories about fantastical things, indulging in sweets (specifically chocolate), and making up his own lyrics to nearly every song (mostly because he forgets the original words). view profile

Published on November 01, 2023

Published by Hello, Wonderworld

1000 words

Genre:Picture Books

Reviewed by

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