Book Review of Ocean of Stars
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Creation, interconnectedness, Belonging, Nature
A lyrical, lullaby-like creation story in which darkness longs to see itself, and in answering, the stars, the sea, and every living thing come into being, including you.
Before there were stars, only darkness drifted through endless time, wondering whether it could see itself. Then, in answer, a star appears. And another, and another. Each one reflects the others. When a planet makes water so that it too can mirror the stars, the star beings tumble down to meet themselves in the ocean. The dark soil feels them arrive and asks its own question: “Can I see you closer?” The water mingles with the land and mixes with the clay, and from that comes … everything! Coyote, owl, rabbit, fawn, tree, root, seed, you, and me—we are all made of clay, star, flesh, and breath, life reaching back toward the darkness from whence we came. We all carry a small ocean inside, and wish for the darkness that once wished us into being.
With the lilting feel of a lullaby, this beautiful picture book features short lines of text, soft repetition, and a recurring “you too” that names each creature. The darkness and stars are characters with real longing, and the cosmic scale is made intimate by the way each question is answered with closeness.
The artwork is the story’s greatest triumph. Drawn from a single canvas, each separate illustration zooms in on a part of the whole. Inky blues and starlit golds give way to a small, round world drawn as a cross-section, with pools and caverns from which ethereal creatures slowly emerge and become earthly. The subtly spiritual framing and abstract ideas suit reflective, read-aloud sharing, with an author’s note to help older readers and adults contextualize the narrative.
Perfect for bedtime, stargazers, and nature lovers, Ocean of Stars is food for thought for any child who has wondered about the heavens.
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About the Author
Azita Ardakani is a writer, herbalist, and nature-based strategist who explores kinship, consciousness, and the intelligence of living systems. Her work bridges ecology, inner life, and imagination. She lives between New York and British Columbia with her husband, two dogs, and a garden full of listening.
For more information, visit oceanofstarsbook.com.
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