Review by Booklist Review
Charming and quirky, this takes readers on a fascinating journey through exciting locations in the U.S., plus one in Canada. In each place, talented author and illustrator Lessac details varied scientific and cultural phenomena from baseball games to synchronous fireflies to a Native American powwow. Poetic short paragraphs describe events under the Milky Way from Salem, Massachusetts, to Nome, Alaska, and the Indian River Lagoon in Florida. This introductory text is perfect for preschoolers and beginning readers. A place name and topical sentence appear in large font on each two-page spread, which also contains more detailed explanations and specific facts that will likely appeal to the older end of the book's audience. Extra information about the Milky Way galaxy and its stars can be found in the back matter. Lessac's colorful gouache illustrations have a playful folk-art style that beautifully draws together the disparate parts of the book and adds to its appeal for a variety of ages. At once a unifying read and a celebration of diversity.--Miriam Aronin Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--This picture book portrays various nighttime celebrations and traditions from around North America. All of the celebrations take place in the United States, with the exception of one taking place in Canada. Some of the pages cover larger celebrations such as Halloween in Salem, MA. Others touch on simple recreational activities, such as ice skating in Maple Grove, MN. Each spread contains larger text that can be used in a read-aloud. Smaller text provides details about the area and the event. The final pages share information about the Milky Way and how to identify a couple of stars and constellations. While a book about nighttime could be visually dark, this book has bright and cheerful illustrations, giving the activities a festive feel. As a bonus, the author has painted her dog on every page and students will have fun trying to find him. VERDICT This title will appeal to librarians looking to beef up their solar system nonfiction collections.--V. Lynn Christiansen, Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, NC
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Communities across the United States and Canada dance, play, and tell stories under the same stars.In this colorful smorgasbord of evening-centered tidbits, prolific illustrator Lessac describes some of the celebrations that take place after sundown in North America. Amid bustling scenes featuring multiracial faces, Lessac highlights events such as bat-watching on Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge (home to "over 1.5 million batswhich migrate each spring from Mexico"), Toronto's food-laden night markets, Washington, D.C.'s "spectacular" Fourth of July fireworks on the National Mall, and "gliding across the ice" in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Information about the science, geography, or history of each setting or celebration is peppered in the pictures' negative spaces, drawing the eye around the full-bleed paintings. A somewhat dense collection of Milky Way galaxy facts as well as a quick guide to locating the North Star make up the backmatter. Included in Lessac's survey are brightly positive treatments of two controversial observances: the telescopes erected on Mauna Kea (a site of yearslong protests by Native Hawaiians against the desecration of their sacred mountain) and the rodeo of Prescott, Arizona, (events that are often cited for animal cruelty). Readers may recognize Lessac's formula from the simultaneously released title, Under the Southern Cross, which highlights the evening celebrations of Australia and makes only a passing mention of its Aboriginal peoples' traditions.A sparkling concept executed with a few glaring flaws. (Informational picture book. 5-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
