Stars in My Crown

by Antonio Michael Downing, Richy Sánchez Ayala (Illustrator)

Author and musician Antonio Michael Downing's debut picture book is about big changes and big feelings, and speaks to all kids experiencing the highs and lows of childhood.

Little Tony is full of love for his grandmother, his home in Trinidad and delicious pholourie. But he's also full of other big feelings, including anger. His grandmother tries to teach him to be patient — patience is a star in his crown, she says — but it's hard.

He tries to keep his anger in, but when he loses at ping-pong to his brother or he has to come in from playing . . . Yaaarrgh!

When Little Tony and his brother move away from their beloved Trinidad, there's even more for him to be upset about. His new home is cold, full of new people, and there's no pholourie anywhere! Yaaarrgh!

But then he remembers his grandmother's lessons, and a surprising thing happens . . .

A charming and heartwarming story based on the author's own childhood, Stars In My Crown is an ode to big feelings but even bigger triumphs.

Genres: Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

Published July 2, 2024

About the author

Writer and musician Antonio Michael Downing was raised in Trinidad, Toronto and Kitchener. He is the author of the acclaimed memoir Saga Boy, the novella Molasses, children’s book Stars In My Crown, and the novel Black Cherokee. He graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in English Literature and has been a recording artist for two decades including three albums as his alter ego John Orpheus. He is also the host of CBC Radio's book program and podcast The Next Chapter.

Reviews

[Mai H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adorable story about a boy that moves from Trinidad to Canada that has trouble controlling his temper. A great lesson for all.

📱 NetGalley

[Antonio Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it a faux pas to review my own book? I won't bother to praise it then, but here are some thoughts on it's arrival in the world: "Fish don't see water..." my grandma Miss Excelly used to say. The best part of seeing STARS IN MY CROWN in hands of parents and young ones is that I can see the contours of my childhood as if it were someone else's.

Little Tony has BIG feels and there are wonderful books about children with BIG feelings but none (that I know of) that attempt to capture the childhood immigrant experience. It's an epic moment in a child's life where all that was before seems washed away by all that has become. This book reminds me that I'm still that little boy and all that I am was built on those days running through the Trinidad countryside.

Miss Excelly would be proud!

[MOSS Kids Book Project · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Tony has BIG feelings (like we all do). He gets mad when his grandma calls him in from playing. He gets mad when his brother wrestles him to the ground. He gets mad when his grandma combs his hair. His grandma teaches him the importance of patience, of not being angry all of the time, of having a crown made of stars. But, then his family moves from Trinidad to Canada, without his grandmother. Those BIG feelings show again - scared, frustrated, lost. This book is great at showing the physical signs of anger, something tangible that kids can see and feel for themselves. It's a great read-aloud story & a star crown craft would be perfect to tie in social-emotional learning & the skills needed to feel & express big feels appropriately.

Thank you to Edelweiss & Tundra Books for an advanced digital copy in exchange for our honest review.

[Melissa T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about a boy who often loses his temper. His grandmother teaches him the concept of putting stars in his crown, like patience, to build himself up. He moves to Canada from Trinidad, and carries her lessons with him.

The illustrations in the book are really nice. I do wish that the stars on the inside cover had been consistent and the same as the ones on the outside cover and other illustrations, because the effect of them is a bit odd.

I liked that there was some rhyming, but that it wasn't over the top as it can be in some kids books.

The only sticking point for me is that we don't know how old Little Tony is in the book. It doesn't really matter, but I think it could help kids relate to the story more easily.

*Please note, I won a copy of this book from a Librarything giveaway*

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tony struggles with his temper. He throws tantrums when he doesn't like something. His grandma sings a song about collecting stars in our crowns and explains this means building traits like patience. If he learns patience and stops being angry constantly, he will find ways to be at peace/home no matter where he is. He sees this when he and his brother move to Canada from Trinidad. It's a completely different environment and he figures out how to control his anger and find home. The artwork is a joy to study.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-told story for elementary readers about learning to work with strong emotions-- in this case particularly anger, impatience, and frustration. This is also a story of immigration from Trinidad to Canada, learning a new culture and holding on to your roots and guiding principles. I loved the metaphor of "stars in one's crown."

Themes: Immigration, Social Emotional Learning, Family
Age range: Elementary

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to hear the author read his book to a crowd of children at the Waterloo Public Library. It is beautifully written, and Downing's musicianship is evident in the form and arc that the story takes. The growth experienced by the main character is both funny and encouraging, and the love of his grandmother fills the pages.

For children of all ages. (I am in my fifties!)