The Star Jumped Over the Moon

by John Schlimm, Susanna Covelli (Illustrator)

Overview

On a cool spring day 
in a nest on a branch,
a tiny star found himself all alone
on a pink and white blossoming apple tree, 
rooted upon an old field of green.

In a lilting, poetic style paired with brilliant illustrations, The Star Jumped Over the Moon tells the story of a star who lives in an apple tree but desperately wishes to shine in the night sky. But how? Through the seasons, the star and the apple tree grow, facing the inevitability of change, until the star finds the courage to jump.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641705769
Publisher:	Familius
Publication date:	02/02/2022
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	696,857
Product dimensions:	11.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD720L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

John Schlimm is a Harvard-trained educator, artist, and advocate, the international award-winning author of 20 books, and the visionary behind several participatory art projects. For more information about John or to connect with him on social media, please visit www.JohnSchlimm.com.

Editorial Reviews

"A little star isn’t sure how he ended up alone in an apple tree. Season after season, he longs after the sky; a leap of faith will be required to get him there. Rhythmic, repeating lines make this a perfect option for bedtime.The illustrations are a lush treat, with backgrounds made up of dreamy, smudged blossoms in washes of pink and purple, natural touches like bright-eyed squirrels, and the soothing blue glow of the moon. Against these wonders, the bright yellow star glitters." - MICHELLE ANNE SCHINGLER for Forward Reviews

“Full of wonder, hope, and the power of transformation, The Star Jumped Over the Moon is a book to treasure with your child again and again.” - Lara Prescott, New York Times Best-Selling Author of The Secrets We Kept

"The Star Jumped Over the Moon is a beautiful rendering of growth through transformation and change. A timely message that will instill hope in the hearts of the young and old alike."  - Megan Murphy, Founder of The KindnessRocks Project

"In The Star Jumped Over the Moon, John brings magic and fantasy to life in this beautiful story about love, loss, and the necessary leaps we’re often forced to take. Similar to The Little Engine That Could, this heartwarming tale will connect to readers of all ages, for years to come." - Larissa Wohl, Host of Hallmark Channel's "Adoption Ever After" for Home Family

“In a world that can often seem uncertain, The Star Jumped Over the Moon rekindles hope and allows us to dream again. John has uniquely captured the heartwarming tale of the tiny star that still shines brightly in each and every one of us.” - Ken Fay, Emmy Award-Winning Writer and Director

"As the father of two-year-old twins, I have read aloud hundreds of children's books. John's enchantingly relatable book The Star Jumped Over the Moon serves a universal message of hope to both my boys AND their daddy, reminding me of something my own dad always told me: ‘Don't ever forget who you are or where you came from.’ Now, I get to teach my children that important life lesson!"  - Tamlin Hall, Founder CEO of Hope Givers and Host Producer of PBS LearningMedia’s Hope Givers with Tamlin Hall

From the Publisher

12/01/2021

PreS-Gr 1—A small star inexplicably finds himself in a nest on a branch in an apple tree in a green field. The star resides there through the seasons, as the leaves turn color and eventually fall to the ground below. One spring day, four strangers arrive with saws and cut the tree down. Star realizes that the time has come for him to attempt to reach the moon. The star takes a leap and finds himself up and over the moon, where he dances happily. The language in this story is overwrought and somewhat treacly. The tree is referred to as "a shiny red apple tree"—apples are red, not the tree itself. The star is described as "pondering" out loud. As in many stories, this is anchored with a repetitive phrase, but here—"Rooted upon an old field of green"—it is used even after the tree is cut down. No tree cutters are shown in the illustrations, making it difficult for young children to understand exactly what is going on. In the end, the star is finally able to jump over the moon, but with no explanation of how that is accomplished. The illustrations are strong for a fantasy story. VERDICT This book wants to encourage children to shoot for the moon, but there is nothing to show how that can be done either factually or fantastically.—Joan Kindig, James Madison Univ., Harrisonburg, VA

School Library Journal