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The Starkeeper
A fallen star and one child's kindness lead to a chain of good works that change her town from a dreary, dark place to one of dazzling brightness.
When a girl finds a fallen star, she decides to keep it hidden. But this star encourages kindness and needs to shine, so it comes out from the shadows. At first the glow from the star starts to fade, and the girl worries--maybe she's not a very good starkeeper. Then a chance gesture of kindness seems to brighten the star, and soon this kindness leads to a chain of good works that light up the once-dreary town.
The art of the book follows the star's journey and lights up more and more with each act of kindness.
When a girl finds a fallen star, she decides to keep it hidden. But this star encourages kindness and needs to shine, so it comes out from the shadows. At first the glow from the star starts to fade, and the girl worries--maybe she's not a very good starkeeper. Then a chance gesture of kindness seems to brighten the star, and soon this kindness leads to a chain of good works that light up the once-dreary town.
The art of the book follows the star's journey and lights up more and more with each act of kindness.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2020
About the author
Faith Pray
6 books23 followersAuthor-illustrator Faith Pray comes from a family of talented children's book creators, but her extraordinary talents for capturing light and shadow and conveying emotion and story through line work, are all her own. Faith lives with her husband, four children, one cats and one puppy in Pacific Northwest Washington.
Faith is the illustrator of ONE DAY by NYT bestselling author Joanna Ho, FINDING GRATEFUL by award winning author Dianne White (Chronicle 2024), and ONCE UPON A TIMELY by Lynn Parrish Sutton.
Faith is the author-illustrator of PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MIRA, THE STARKEEPER, and THE DAY WE GOT LOST (Little Brown 2024).
Faith is the illustrator of ONE DAY by NYT bestselling author Joanna Ho, FINDING GRATEFUL by award winning author Dianne White (Chronicle 2024), and ONCE UPON A TIMELY by Lynn Parrish Sutton.
Faith is the author-illustrator of PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MIRA, THE STARKEEPER, and THE DAY WE GOT LOST (Little Brown 2024).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 6, 2020
This is a story of a young girl who wants to change her life. She lives in the 'lonely dark' but she wants light and warmth. She makes a wish and she becomes the 'Starkeeper' of the title. But the star, by itself, cannot give the girl joy. The girl learns that joy comes from sharing, from helping others, and that those actions make the star truly shine.
This story- about dark and light, about loneliness and friendship- is one that speaks to children and to adults, particularly in this pandemic time of enforced loneliness and possible darkness.
After reading this simple, powerful story, I think I will take better care of my star. This story has a gentle way of reminding the reader to listen and to look for the ones who need help.
This story- about dark and light, about loneliness and friendship- is one that speaks to children and to adults, particularly in this pandemic time of enforced loneliness and possible darkness.
After reading this simple, powerful story, I think I will take better care of my star. This story has a gentle way of reminding the reader to listen and to look for the ones who need help.
September 28, 2020
The Starkeeper is a sweet little book about kindness. An unnamed girl in a gloomy city makes a wish to chase the darkness away. She subsequently finds a star, and knows that she needs to share it. But nobody seems interested. The girl is about to give up when she realizes that small acts of kindness are the things that help the star's light to shine and grow.
The message is simple, but the illustrations are where this book really shines. The time period is ambiguous (as is the setting, although it looks distinctly European), but the characters are appealing and the whole book has a luminous quality that makes the little girl and her star shine.
Books about kindness seem to be becoming more popular. This would be a lovely one to add to that bookshelf.
Quotable moment:
The message is simple, but the illustrations are where this book really shines. The time period is ambiguous (as is the setting, although it looks distinctly European), but the characters are appealing and the whole book has a luminous quality that makes the little girl and her star shine.
Books about kindness seem to be becoming more popular. This would be a lovely one to add to that bookshelf.
Quotable moment:
July 16, 2020
A story that is needed in these fearful and stressful times. A little kindness makes a big difference in every community.
March 30, 2020
The Starkeeper is a book we need for our chilidren right now, a captivating story of a little girl who wishes for the lonely dark to go away. Even though she finds a star, seemingly a perfect solution, changing dark to light doesn't come easy, and she almost loses hope. Readers will follow her quest through Pray's expressive illustrations and simple, sometimes playful text. In the end, the girl learns what it means to be a starkeeper - to give light, share the light, be the light where you live. Something we should all remember.
September 29, 2020
It's a dark world. A girl finds a star. She tries to place it with the big and important but no one wants it. It is only when she starts sharing it with others, in tiny pieces, that light comes to the world.
Lovely.
Lovely.
May 17, 2022
A beautiful book about loneliness and sharing a light that seems small but means so much.
November 13, 2021
A little slow to start but the middle to the end is fantastic. A great message about little acts of kindness and how those little acts can make a big difference in the world. I love the cat that follows the girl :)
January 4, 2021
While reading this book - I kept thinking how we are called to be the light of the world. This book would be great if your teaching a kindness lesson.
January 16, 2021
I loved this book! The illustrations are magical and gorgeous and the story is hopeful and celebrates kindness. This is one of those books I think every family should have. ⭐️
January 30, 2021
Beautiful! I adore this book. It really touched my heart and spoke to me. It's a beautiful story with beautiful artwork and a beautiful message about sharing your light with others. This is one to own!
May 25, 2021
We need more starkeepers in this world.
Read
January 20, 2025The story of this young girl living in a "lonely, dark" city where the shops are all shuttered rings eerily true to this singular moment of self-isolation. The star she finds disinterests the closeted populace of the rainy, dreary town. It's only when she heads to the countryside and finds two children huddled in a culvert that she discovers how to keep a star. Pray's somber palette, vibrant undulating lines, and varied vantage points mirror both the starkeeper's sadness and her energy as she encounters others facing dire privation and grief. She is determined to share her light with them. Her world brightens as she does so, as do the pages here—though not completely. There's no rainbow, just glimmers of hope radiating from multiple sources. While the final spread of the villagers returning excitedly to the town square will no doubt match the dreams of reconnection we all harbor now, it also speaks to the deeper and persistent yearning we all feel for community, in dark times and in bright.
April 12, 2020
I cannot wait to read the book The Starkeeper to my class of 8 and 9 year olds. This book of hope and kindness is the perfect story for a classroom teacher to launch a class discussion about the way small actions can make big changes in the lives of others. This book shows us how the power of someone small and brave, with perseverance and hope, can change her world. I recommend The Starkeeper as a must read for teachers, parents and kids.
March 24, 2020
The Starkeeper is such a sweet and timely story about how each of us can do something to make the world just a bit brighter for each other. The woes of the world can seem overwhelming, but through gorgeous illustrations and simple words, Pray’s book shows a little girl learning that sometimes small gestures and acts of kindness are enough to start a wave of kindness, bringing together a whole community. Perfect to read with your little ones as an antidote to sadness and loneliness - very uplifting!
March 28, 2020
This book is perfect for readers of all ages! It’s exactly what we need right now: a story that shows one person’s impact and the power kindness. The illustrations are beautiful and thoughtfully constructed. I especially love the author/illustrator’s use of light and dark. I’ve read hundreds of children’s books and this one is truly unique. It’s poetic language and dazzling images further solidify its place among the most memorable picture books.
April 17, 2023
The illustration is a dark as a story that author created. The story begins when a girl who felt lonely got tired of waiting in the middle of worst situation. All people in her place were lost hope and looked like numb. Someday, she made a wish and all of sudden a shining star came out. Since that day, she tried to keep the star by herself and wanted to share the light of this star to everyone, but nobody cared about it. She was confused what she should have done with the star to keep it shining. The last attempt that she could do was sharing to two children who looked sad that she met. After that, the star begin shining brighter becoming bigger than before and the girl continued giving the star with people who looked for a hope. Every she did it, the star grew up much bigger and brighter and the situation changed. Everybody smiled again and found their happiness. There was no one felt sad and lonely.
February 1, 2023
This book is about a lonely girl in a dark, sad world. One day she makes a wish for a better world and she is gifted with a star. She tries to find out how to take care of the star and just as she is about to give up she finds more lonely people and makes a choice. She decides to break off a piece of the star to share with those that are lonely and sad. With every piece she gives away the star grow brighter and she ends up changing the world.
This is an adorable book that makes you sad and then happy. It is a rollercoaster with a great ending.
I think this would be a great book for a classroom going over compassion and how to treat others. It would also be a good book on a lesson about how to change the world.
This is an adorable book that makes you sad and then happy. It is a rollercoaster with a great ending.
I think this would be a great book for a classroom going over compassion and how to treat others. It would also be a good book on a lesson about how to change the world.
February 4, 2021
This is a luminous story of lighting the darkness through small acts of kindness. The book is filled with gorgeous illustrations by author/illustrator Faith Pray. The world has been dark for a while when the main character makes a wish and receives a star. The girl wants to hide the star away, but she soon realized the star needs to shine. She tries to share it with others, but backs are turned to her, doors closed. Just when she's ready to give up, she finds others to share the light with, and that makes all the difference. A beautiful book of how little actions can illuminate the darkness. The perfect book for homes, classrooms, and libraries. Highly recommended!
July 15, 2021
A fallen star and one child's kindness lead to a chain of good works that change her town from a dreary, dark place to one of dazzling brightness.
When a girl finds a fallen star, she decides to keep it hidden. But this star encourages kindness and needs to shine, so it comes out from the shadows. At first the glow from the star starts to fade, and the girl worries--maybe she's not a very good starkeeper. Then a chance gesture of kindness seems to brighten the star, and soon this kindness leads to a chain of good works that light up the once-dreary town.
The art of the book follows the star's journey and lights up more and more with each act of kindness.
When a girl finds a fallen star, she decides to keep it hidden. But this star encourages kindness and needs to shine, so it comes out from the shadows. At first the glow from the star starts to fade, and the girl worries--maybe she's not a very good starkeeper. Then a chance gesture of kindness seems to brighten the star, and soon this kindness leads to a chain of good works that light up the once-dreary town.
The art of the book follows the star's journey and lights up more and more with each act of kindness.
August 25, 2022
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A beautiful story with a heartfelt message. Through tiny acts of kindness that slowly spread, the world becomes less dark and lonely.
I really enjoyed the progression of the story. At first, the main character relies on others to help the star shine. But then she realizes that change can start with her. One act of kindness leads to another and another, inspiring and empowering, sharing the light of the star.
The illustrations in this book are breathtaking. Lovely use of light and color that pair wonderfully with the story's themes.
What a beautiful and inspiring story.
A beautiful story with a heartfelt message. Through tiny acts of kindness that slowly spread, the world becomes less dark and lonely.
I really enjoyed the progression of the story. At first, the main character relies on others to help the star shine. But then she realizes that change can start with her. One act of kindness leads to another and another, inspiring and empowering, sharing the light of the star.
The illustrations in this book are breathtaking. Lovely use of light and color that pair wonderfully with the story's themes.
What a beautiful and inspiring story.
Read
October 4, 2020A little girl wants to change her world, but she's not sure how to do that. When she makes a wish on a star, and ends up finding a fallen star of her very own, she is prepared to let the star change the world on its own. But the star isn't enough, and the girl learns that small acts of kindness can make the world change one small piece at a time.
Pretty watercolors reflect the feelings of the main character and progressively get lighter as the girl finds hope and kindness in her world. Good choice for kids (or grown-ups) looking for hopeful or inspirational reads.
Pretty watercolors reflect the feelings of the main character and progressively get lighter as the girl finds hope and kindness in her world. Good choice for kids (or grown-ups) looking for hopeful or inspirational reads.
November 12, 2020
A star appears when a young girl makes a wish for the lonely dark to fade away. At first, she longs to keep the star for herself but soon realizes it doesn’t want to stay hidden. The girl searches for the best location to place the star, but she and the star are repeatedly ignored. The star and the girl grow gloomy until the girl realizes that several small acts of kindness can light up the world. Gorgeous text and stunning illustrations shine in this picture book that is full of magic and heart.
July 14, 2021
I enjoy the emphasis that even children and small acts can change the world for the better.
A girl wishes the lonely darkness of her world away, and finds a star. The star doesn't want to be hidden, but the adults don't seem to have the interest or time to even look at the star and its light begins to dwindle. The girl believes she is not good at taking care of stars and is ready to give up when she discovers some other children, she discovers she can do something small to help and that sharing small pieces of the star make it grow and change her world for the better.
A girl wishes the lonely darkness of her world away, and finds a star. The star doesn't want to be hidden, but the adults don't seem to have the interest or time to even look at the star and its light begins to dwindle. The girl believes she is not good at taking care of stars and is ready to give up when she discovers some other children, she discovers she can do something small to help and that sharing small pieces of the star make it grow and change her world for the better.
February 25, 2021
I just had the pleasure of reading this sweet story about the importance of small acts of kindness in making the world a better place and how everyone can contribute. The illustrations, especially, were mesmerizing, and added to the enjoyment of the read. While there are many books about kindness, this one felt fresh. It would be a welcome addition to a personal or school library, sure to elicit discussion and many good feelings.
June 18, 2022
6/18/2022 ~ A new take on the idea that love grows as it is shared. Luminous (and dreary) illustrations as the star shrinks and expands. Interesting juxtaposition of time periods in the illustrations. The children appear in relatively modern clothing, while many adults appear to be in the 1940s, while the royal couple appears to be from the 1800s. An ageless story to ponder when the days seem dark.
March 21, 2023
A child living in the "lonely dark" wishes to change her circumstances. She finds a star, and ultimately shares bits of its light with those around her, thus changing her world.
There is no mention of the child's family, nor any explanation of the star falling into the child's possession. The metaphor and the details must be assumed and accepted by the reader.
Use inspirationally.
Adult assistance may be required to help young readers/listeners appreciate the intent/lesson of this book.
There is no mention of the child's family, nor any explanation of the star falling into the child's possession. The metaphor and the details must be assumed and accepted by the reader.
Use inspirationally.
Adult assistance may be required to help young readers/listeners appreciate the intent/lesson of this book.
September 28, 2020
Gorgeous artwork. Lovely story about sharing joy and light in a dark world. I just couldn't get over the plot line that the girl found a star in a fountain, and that she could break the star apart. I guess I'm too literal, but it could have been something other than a star--a bit of magic, a ball of light, a shining orb. For some reason, that it was a "star" just left me feeling irked.
October 4, 2020
Oh my, another of the kind of books that I tend to hate because of the right out there parable, but for some reason I liked this. I think a lot is that the illustrations are lovely and make it fun to read over and over. I think I may also like it better when reading it aloud. Not sure whether author is American or Canadian so not sure it is mock Caldecott eligible.
March 27, 2022
This book is a little sad, but the illustrations are wonderful! This story reminds us that it is not always the big things that we do that make the biggest difference but rather the small kindnesses that we do for others that add up over time and have a huge impact. This book would be great for ages 4-6, especially for a themed storytime or lesson on kindness or sharing.
April 27, 2023
Gentle tone and beautiful message. This young girl finds a small star in the midst of unending gloominess. She tries to share it but no one wants to see it. Then, she discovers if she gives small pieces of it away to those who need some care, the light grows and spreads. Elementary level readers will understand the message clearly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews