A Bed of Stars, written and illustrated by Jessica Love. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"We lie back in the sand and name 
all the birds we can see. Dad says if 
he could be any bird, he'd be a crow; 
because they're smart and can use tools.
If I were a bird, I'd be a swallow, because 
they can fly the hardest patterns. 

Summer skies and late nights afford those who live in cities to get beyond the urban lighting and look up! It's just a touch easier than bunding up in winter and driving into the country where the night skies are also beautiful. While we are still experiencing summer, I wanted to share this story of a father and child sharing the awesome beauty of a desert night sky.  

Dad announces a camping trip one morning while the two are eating breakfast. He wants them to 'shake hands with the universe'. After packing their old truck with all they might need, they head out. They drive into the nearby mountains. As they go, Dad names the flowers they see, sharing their many uses. The trip is filled with stops to enjoy visits, make new discoveries, jump in the dunes, identify the birds they see, build a fire, watch the setting sun, and use the back bed of the truck for star gazing. I love all the small observations they make as they move from one place to another, and the sketches that give it the look of a field guide in places. The watercolor, gouache and ink artwork shows how big the world is and how close the relationship between the two. The many details created for the spreads capture attention and provide for discussion. 

While the child expresses worry about the breadth of the universe itself, Dad reassures that everything they are seeing is made of energy. Being together and snuggled up, they name the stars they see for all they have met in their travels. Making those connections helps the child fall asleep and wake up to a cup of hot chocolate shared with dad as the sun rises. There is much more to do before they pack the truck for the trip home. 

While they've been away, Mom has created a lovely surprise. I will leave you to discover it for yourself. Quiet and thoughtful, this is a lovely book for bedtime reading.