Comet & Star: A Story of ­Cosmic Friendship

PreS-Gr 2–For a star, life within the vastness of the universe can be a lonely experience. After existing for years on its own, one particular star is surprised to see a comet speeding along a path that will connect the two entities for a brief moment. But because their time together is so limited, the star does not receive an immediate response to its request for friendship, which leads to another 76 years of silence and solitude. Once the comet is again brought into proximity of the star, however, their bond is strengthened, and they begin to look forward to the next time their paths will cross. This charming picture book imagines an anthropomorphic identity for a star and a comet in the night sky. The text uses brief phrases to effectively describe what is occurring in the minds of these celestial bodies. Because of the brevity of the narrative, the book is accessible to young readers and provides a convenient foundation from which to explain entities, such as Halley’s Comet, that travel through the universe. Supporting the text are soft, detailed illustrations that offer readers myriad thoughts to consider as they read the story. Additionally, because there is not always a direct connection between the words and the images, readers can creatively interpret their meaning and intent.