Little Star- Children's Lit.

By Anthony DeStefano

This is an offering from Christian author Anthony DeStefano that explains how the star upon the Christmas Tree connects to the birth of Jesus. We begin with a young boy talking with his father about the Christmas Star. He explains, as we zoom out into the universe, that all of the stars are excited about the foretold birth of the King and begin getting ready for the big event and the promised "reward" from God for being the brightest shining star on the night of the King's birth. Our overlooked Little Star gets no dusting from the comets and is ignored, as usual, for being so very small. He has no chance of being noticed, or so he thinks.

When baby Jesus is born the other stars think there must be some mistake. This little baby, born in a manger, couldn't possibly be a king. Kings are born to power and riches. It is only Little Star that understands the true message of humility and connection with the poorest and smallest of humanity being the reason for his birth being as it was. The message is lovely and though the initial entry into this star world seems a bit contrived and "far out," forgive me, when the connection to the real message is made, it produces the warmth and glow one hopes for in a Christmas story. Of course, our Little Star burns the brightest, sadly burning himself out, but he is remembered on top of our Christmas trees each year.

I felt an affection for Little Star and most children will respond to him as well. We'll all felt overlooked and unimportant at times, so he is relatable. The story makes a meaningful connection for children to understand the symbolism of the Christmas Star to the birth of Jesus, which many Christian families will appreciate. I can see this being a read aloud that families and children's church ministries will turn to year after year.

In addition to the text, the illustrations play a very important role in this picture book. The muted colors of the illustrations, by Mark Elliot, show contrast and make the eventual bright glow of Little Star, as he warms the manger, even more powerful. I also appreciated the expression brought to both the stars and the humans in the story.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.