Name: Stella, Princess of the Sky
ISBN: 9780888996015

Marie-Louise Gay

Stella and her brother Sam explore the wonders of nature at night as the stars and a rising moon form a backdrop for their expedition where they encounter raccoons, fireflies, tree frogs, and bats.

Stella, Princess of the Sky

Sarah Sammis

Stella, Princess of the Sky by Marie-Louise Gay is one of the Stella and Sam series of books. I included on my list of astronomy themed books for children ages 5 to 8.

The book begins with a conversation between Stella and Sam about the sunset and how the sky changes over the course of the day. It prompts the children to stay out that night, camping under the stars. They observe the sky above and the animals around them.

The illustrations capture the changing colors of the night: pastel oranges and pinks at sunset, deepening purples to blues as it gets later and brilliant whites for the stars. The question and answer approach of Sam and Stella's conversation can inspire children and parents to make their own observations about what they see and hear at night time.

It's more than just a book out basic backyard astronomy. There's also good talking points about nocturnal animals and other night time things. This book would do well in any number of themes that teachers or parents might have in mind.