Neal Porter Books/Holiday House | 978-0823443284
by Yuyi Morales
Child,
…you are
..awake!
Breathe in,
then breath out,
…… hermosa criatura.
© Yuyi Morales
It’s hard not to hear Yuyi Morales’ voice as I read the opening words of her gorgeous new book, BRIGHT STAR, the powerful and evocative follow-up to her New York Times best-selling DREAMERS.
As the young fawn awakens to take her first tentative steps through her Sonoran home, readers become immersed in her journey through the rich desert landscape.
……Mira!
Some things you can see.
……………Others you must find.
It is beautiful. But there is danger, too.
Lie low.
………We want you safe.
No matter where you are,
you are a bright star
inside our hearts.
CLICK TO ENLARGE © ¥uyi Morales
Rich with symbolism, BRIGHT STAR explores the borderlands between the US and Mexico, the flora, fauna and people who live there, and the way in which you and I and people and places we don’t even know are connected.
It is a book to study, ponder, read and reread. In the words of the author, it is a book she hopes will be “like a song that accompanied children when they most needed it — a book that felt like a lullaby, a lullaby that told children that they are not alone.”
One of my favorite parts are the notes found at the end detailing eleven reasons *why* the author decided to make this book.
“I made this book because you and I are connected…
“I made this book because I have many questions…
“I made this book to show you an amazing place on our planet called the borderlands…
“I made this book using the most beautiful things I could find — words written in English and Spanish, drawings I made in my sketchbook… paper painted with bright colors, wool yarn threaded by hand and dyed with plants…”
Learn more about Yuyi’s process and thoughts on creating the words and images at the links below:
- Fuse #8 Production interview with the author and librarian Betsy Bird.
- Publisher’s Weekly interview with Yuyi Morales behind the scenes peek at the making of BRIGHT STAR.
- Moving read-aloud of BRIGHT STAR by the author:
