Stella the Star

By Mark Shulman

Book Overview

Stella's parents are so proud. Her teacher wants her to be the star in the school play. So her parents take her shopping for new shoes and a new dress, get her hair cut at a fancy salon, and buy the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802788947
• ISBN13: 9780802788948
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Walker Childrens
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.2" x 0.3" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Stella the Star

This is delightful story for both children and parents. Children will identify with Stella and enjoy her story, while parents may be surprised to see a little bit of themselves in the tale! The illustrations are colorful and whimsical, conveying the wonderful enthusiasm children show for even little things. I was captivated!

Highly recommended

As a reviewer, I come across many picture books which seem all-too-similar. "Stella the Star" is a breath of fresh air. Stella is a real child -- not precocious, not an adult in child's clothing, not a philosopher at heart, but a sweet, normal child. The story is hers, but in a way it is her parents' story, and this is the most refreshing thing. They are the ones who actually grow and change, through her naturalness and her sticking to her way of seeing things. Picture books come and go every season, especially the "I Love You" variety. Here is a book with a genuine message that is built into lush, impressive illustrations by Vincent Nguyen, and spare, direct, meaningful text by Mark Shulman. From the looks of things, Shulman and Nguyen actually know each other and work well together. They have also collaborated on books called Some Pigs, Some Cows, Some Ducks, and Some Sheep, for Barron's Educational. There is a note at the front of the book that the author saw a sketch of the little girl in the artist's notebook and made the story for her. This collaboration is not very common in the children's picture book world. An editor keeps the two apart. Perhaps this is a clue for more artist/writer teams to present themselves to publishers. There is a clear dynamic to their book, and a genuine harmony to the gentle brushwork and the sweet tone of the language. Highly recommended!