Walker Books Australia
July 2024
ISBN13:9781760658700
Australia RRP:$16.99
New Zealand RRP:$18.99
August 4 is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day so what a better to mark that than with some reviews of some wonderful new titles.
What an absolutely charming story this is for Smalls! It is essentially quite simple but could easily develop into some useful conversations around listening to Elders who always want to keep us safe, but also the kindness and help from our community.
Little Star does not listen when Moon warns him not to go too close to the edge of the night sky and, sure enough, Little Star falls right off. Down, down, down and lands plop! in the creek.
Python is surprised but tries to help by flicking Little Star towards the sky, but oops!
Little Star lands in a nearby cave where Dingo sleeps. Dingo tries to toss Little Star up into the sky but oops!
Little Star lands in Kangaroo’s soft pouch, which is already occupied by her joey. Mother Kangaroo thinks if they all work together they can get Little Star back into the night sky so they climb to the top of the Big Hill and all holding onto each other, they stretch and stretch right out towards the sky and oops!
They all end up in the night sky! Moon is so happy to have Little Star back safely, that he’s only too happy to help the bush animals get back to their homes and sends them down in a river of moonlight.
It is just sweet and simple, and Sally Morgan’s vibrant illustrations will be such an inspiration for Smalls to draw and paint their own versions.
I love it! A very sparkly happy 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating for this one and a definite for your First Nations collection. It will easily lead into a discussion about First Nations astronomy and the constellations.
First Peoples of Australia Astronomy
Astronomy Indigenous.com.au
Indigenous Knowledge Institute Astronomy Activities
Just So Stories 
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