Twinkle

Nick Bland (author/illustrator)

Scholastic Press, Australia: 2010

ISBN: 9781741693539 5+

Genres: adventure, fantasy, picture book

Issues: friendship, imagination

When Little Star lands in Penny Pasketti's backyard at first they have a great deal of fun together. After a while Little Star gets lonely for his night sky friends and Penny has to work out how to help: ‘But every time they found a way up... down was right behind it.'

This charming story delights in the what-ifs and maybes that are the essence of a vivid imagination. Children will laugh out loud at the many ways Penny tries to get Little Star home - a balloon, postage stamps, a see-saw - and cheer at the final solution. Bland's illustrations convey both the delicious sense of adventure that comes with darkness as well as the warm glow of friendship between Penny and Little Star. Careful attention will show readers that other adventures are happening on this night and there are numerous visual references to stars in different contexts, making this an excellent language stimulus. Twinkle isn't just about stars - it's about the sparkle in the eye of an imaginative child who is open to possibilities.

Same author: The Very Itchy Bear; The Very Cranky Bear; A Monster Wrote Me A Letter