The Starkeeper

Wishing for something to drive “the lonely dark away,” a girl finds a glowing orb in a village fountain. It’s a star, and it’s up to her to find out how to keep it shining brightly. Loose, spontaneous lines capture the child’s glossy black hair, red skirt, and yellow boots, and the kitten that accompanies her. The girl’s first efforts at starkeeping falter, with Pray’s narrative voice capturing the suspense: “The star was gloomy now. Shrinkier. Wilted.” Then the girl discovers that sharing makes the star brighter. She offers her sweater to a younger child, comforts a grieving woman, and distributes loaves of bread to the hungry. The lesson about generosity isn’t new, but Pray keeps it fresh with unexpected twists: the idea of the unearthly object that’s sustained by good deeds adds intrigue, and the story unfolds not in bright sunshine, but in the dark and the rain, offering a backdrop for the star’s warm light. The girl’s winsome expressions draw readers in, and the glowing star symbolizes the power of good deeds, no matter how small. Ages 3–7. [em](June) [/em]