Stars, by Mary Lyn Ray and illustrated by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane Books)

Does anyone illustrate the facial expressions, postures and movements of children with the same gloriously authentic exuberance as Marla Frazee (The Seven Silly Eaters, Everywhere Babies)? Here, a star takes many forms - in the night, on a wand, as a snowflake or in the wilds of a young imagination. Well matched, Ray (Mud, Red Rubber Boot Day) grounds her text in the everyday experiences of young children. "A star is how you know it's almost night," she explains. "And the dark that comes doesn't feel so dark."

China Daily-New York Times