All the Stars in the Sky

by Art Coulson, Winona Nelson (illustrator)

Last Stop on Market Street meets We Are Otsaliheliga in this sweet, bighearted picture book about a young boy who learns the Cherokee lesson of gadugi—how working together and helping each other makes the whole community stronger.

When eager Clay asks his elisi (grandmother) for help to be named star of the week at school, he’s surprised by her No one person is more important than his family and his community. But is Clay still important at all?

This contemplative exploration of community, individualism, and responsibility—accentuated with traditional beadwork in the art—is a moving invitation to consider an indigenous perspective of one’s place in the world and how we all light up our sky, together.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, School, Native American

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Art Coulson is a writer, editor and storyteller who served as the first executive director of the Wilma Mankiller Foundation in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, after a 25-year career in journalism. He is the author of The Creator’s Game: A Story of Baaga’adowe/Lacrosse, Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Defeated the Army, The Reluctant Storyteller, Lure of the Lake, Trophy Buck and Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi!.

Reviews

[Hannah Showalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved the message here, feel like I don't see these ideals talked about enough! Also, such a cool and interesting art style!

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cody is excited for the chance to be the school’s last “star of the week” and he asks his Elisi, his grandmother, for advice. When Elisi finds out that the “star of the week” means that a kid is the most important person in the school, she tells him that no one is more important than their family or community as a group. Cody is confused at this introduction to the Cherokee concept of gadugi, or community. But Elisi points to the constellations in the night sky, where all of the stars are important, and to the folks in their community that help one another. When he gets to school the next day, Cody explains what he learned about gadugi.

This delightful picture book is a wonderful way to explain the interdependence of community, and how the concept is an especially important one to indigenous peoples. Of course, every child wants to feel special, and Elisi and Cody’s teacher both reframe that desire as an essential part of any community. Gorgeous artwork made with colored pencil, watercolor and glass beads lovingly melds the concrete and mystical with the trails of beads throughout the pages. The images of the beads are so clear it feels like you can touch them, which adds an almost tactile feel to the book. The illustrator is also exceptionally adept at portraying faces and their wrinkles as well as the gnarled fingers of the elders. (And a note at the beginning asks the reader to find the “wrong” bead on each spread.) Cody and his family are Native American; his teacher is Black and his classmates are white, Black and Indigenous.

This is the perfect read aloud for an early grade classroom, especially during Indigenous People’s Day week. Younger kids will enjoy the hunt for the “wrong” beads.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

With care and warmth, the importance of every person is embraced.

There's only one more week of school, and Clay has yet to be the Star of the week. So, he asks his grandmother, elisi, for advice. Instead of actions he can take, she questions the entire thought of being the star. While this confuses Clay, at first, his elisi leads him through an explanation, which broadens his horizons in the best ways.

The second I saw the cover, I was intrigued. The watercolor gives off a lovely, gentle atmosphere while the bead work adds unique and beautiful details. This style continues through the entire book. It's worth flipping through the pages and getting lost in this finely placed artwork. Plus, I bet more than a few readers/ listeners wouldn't mind filtering this idea into an art project.

As for the story, it flows well. It's more atmospheric and holds words of wisdom for thought and digestion. It is well-suited to the audience level and works as a nice read-aloud, especially leading into themes such as working together, respecting others, humility, and community. The setting makes it a nice fit to classroom and group settings, since it illustrates how everyone is important, no one more than anyone else.

This is a lovely read with tons of goodness.

[Payal Doshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much tenderness and wisdom in this beautiful story, which shows that everyone matters. Clay hopes to be Star of the Week, but his grandmother, Elisi, helps him discover that true value comes from community and respect. Elevating this story is the gorgeous watercolor art, highlighted with the intricate beadwork. It drew me in instantly and creates a soothing and beautiful atmosphere worth lingering over. Perfect for read-alouds, this book encourages reflection on kindness, humility, and the Cherokee lesson of gadugi—how working together and helping one another makes the whole community stronger. A thoughtful, inspiring read for classrooms and families alike. Highly recommend!

[Crown Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely warmed my heart. Clay’s story reminded me how powerful our connections really are; how family, community, and helping one another make us all stronger. The gentle wisdom feels like something every child (and adult) needs to hear: we’re all important, but we’re even better together. The beautiful artwork, inspired by Cherokee beadwork, adds so much depth and love to each page. It’s one of those stories that lingers long after you close the book; a celebration of kindness, belonging, and how we all light up the world when we work as one.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy wants to get star of the week at school and family member talks to him about how stars are more valuable in constellations and people are stars for each other. A lovely message about not being the most important person, but being important to those around around you.

Interesting art work, with beading intertwined with drawing.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my newest favorite book for communities and belonging and our place within our community. And the artwork is exquisite.
You know when you read a book that gives you all the feels - that's what this one did!

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars---Such beautiful, unique artwork! When a child is excited to be chosen as the classroom "star," his wise grandmother teaches him about constellations, and how people, like stars, need each other to make their community work.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite in both text and art- moving and award-worthy.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beadwork in the art is cool.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beaded illustrations are incredible.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful picture book about community illustrated with watercolors and indigenous beadwork.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite art, wonderful storytelling, and a central concept that shines, orienting us like constellations!

"...our community is like a constellation made up of many stars, none of them brighter than any of the others...Each star plays its part in keeping the constellation together."