Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. It takes the classic sing song adage and gives the facts behind the star. Throughout the book it keeps the sing song pattern, and it does so decently well. Some of the rhymes are a bit harsh, but overall, it works. This book is not only understandable, but also something to get little ones interested in space. ( )

“Opaque ball of hot dense gas, million times our planet’s mass, looking small because you’re far, I know exactly what you are.” I set a high bar for “Twinkle, twinkle” poetry: it needs to toe the line on meter, not squeezing in awkward extra syllables or torturing grammar. I’m happy to say that this book meets that bar and is delightful to read aloud. It teaches about different types of stars and goes on to black holes and galaxies before returning home. ( )

There's some pretty advanced vocabulary tucked into this adapted version of "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star." Some pages work just fine for young readers/listeners ("Smallest ones burn cool and slow, / still too hot to visit, though. / Red stars dominate by far, / Twinkle, twinkle, little star") while others include advanced concepts and sometimes convoluted structure ("Constellations are at best / just a cosmic Rorschach test. / Random patterns spread 3-D, / viewpoint dictates what we see").

Back matter includes "a little more about what stars are," which is actually a lot more.

Probably more suited for grade school than preschool.

Art created by watercolor, pencil, collage, digital painting and texturing. The illustrations of outer space (stars, constellations, the Milky Way galaxy, etc.) are realistic, bracketed by a pair of siblings in their bedroom at night. ( )

I love the illustrations! Also notable, is that this book can be read to the melody of Twinkle Twinkle little star. However, it is nothing like the classic. It is full of very detailed information that I didn't even know. Only an expert in Astrophysics could write these words, as they are very technical. I thought it was awesome how the author explains exactly how stars are created. She also gives us information in the back about constellations and many other things. I would totally recommend this book to any teacher or parent. ( )