"Let's go
past the sparkling river.
Let's go
up the rolling hills.
Let's go
into the moonlit woods."
As a star shines brightly through a restless child's window, it seems to beckon that child to follow it into the night. With star in hand, the two venture into the moonlit darkness. They pass an iridescent river, go up some rolling hills, and into the welcoming woods.
Once there, the star invites the child to sing and dance with a squirrel, a fox, a hare and a pair of stoats. In this 'happy place' there is cause for celebration! After a joyful time, each of the animals succumbs to a welcome weariness and heads home to sleep, leaving the child and the star to their reverie. Only then is it time for the child to go home.
"Now that you have found your happy place,
I will watch over you, sleeping peacefully
until morning, when you will awaken to a
beautiful, bright new day."
What an alluring bedtime read! The illumination from the moon and star gives it a dreamlike quality from start to finish. Ms. Teckentrup's signature cutout artwork allows readers a peek into this cozy nighttime world where friendly creatures welcome a child wanderer. It soothes and creates a world of wonder. Happy dreams!
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