Love, Jessica. Bed of Stars, A. Jessica Love, Illus. Candlewick, 04/2023. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-1239-6. GRADES Kindergarten–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
When the child narrator of this story expresses that the sheer magnitude of the universe keeps them up at night, their father proposes a camping trip into the desert so that they can “shake hands with the universe.” Filled with details like smells, types of mountain flowers, and how to build a campfire, this book is understated and charming. As father and child rest in the flatbed of their truck, the father proposes that maybe the universe won’t seem so big if they know the names of the stars, so together they make up names for all that they can see. When they return home, the child’s mother has a surprise for them too—she has decorated their bedroom with a million glowing stars. Love’s illustrations are done in watercolor, gouache, and ink. The family is white appearing with straight hair and light skin.
Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K–8 / Oakland Unified School District