Module 15: Draw me a star

Book Summary: A cute little book about an artist and his creations.  The artist is told to draw a series of things, including a star.  He is then taken away across the dark sky to travel with the star.

APA Reference of Book: Carle, E. (1992). Draw me a star. New York: Philomel Books.

Impressions: This book is a typical Eric Carle book.  I can see how the one image of the “handsome” couple can make this book one that is challenged a lot.  The man and the woman appear to be naked, but again, if one is familiar with Carle’s illustrations, they are not very detailed.  The story is very short and I am not sure what the point of it is.  When you read the end, you discover that this is actually a dream that Eric Carle had.   That’s what I would describe this book as, a dream…  A very strange dream.

Professional Review:  K-Gr 4-- A young boy is told (readers are not sure by whom) to "Draw me a star.'' The star then requests that the boy draw it a sun; the sun asks for a "lovely tree,'' and throughout his life the boy/man/artist continues to create images that fill the world with beauty. The moon bids the now-elderly artist to draw another star, and as the story ends, the artist travels across the night sky'' hand-in-hand with the star. This book will appeal to readers of all ages; its stunning illustrations, spare text, and simple story line make it a good choice for story hour; but older children will also find it uplifting and meaningful. Especially pleasing is a diagram within the story, accompanied by rhyming instructions on how to draw a star: "Down/ over/ left/ and right/ draw/ a star/ oh so/ bright.'' An inspired book in every sense of the word.

Larkin, E. (1992). Draw me a star (Book Review). School Library Journal, (38) 80.

Library Uses: The book can be used as part of story time for younger readers.  Have to be careful about the images, but I think that the young kids are innocent enough where they will not notice the things that adults notice.