How to Catch a Star (PB Club)

escritora · Nov 15, 2011

Welcome to the PB Book Club where members of AW provide thoughts on pre-selected books. This month’s selection is Only a Witch Can Fly by Alison McGee. There is still time to join the discussion. Buy or borrow the book from the library and share your thoughts with us.

If you’re unable to join us this month, consider participating in December. The selected book is:

December 15th: Children Make Terrible Pets - Peter Brown

Below is a list of questions to assist everyone with the review/critique of the picture books. You don’t have to answer every question. The list only serves as a guide.

Words

Is the book intended for a child to read to themselves or for an adult to read?
What are the most difficult words used? Does it use contractions?
Does it used advanced structures like similes, metaphors, etc?
Does the book contain dialogue? How is it structured?
Did the text stand on its own or were illustrations required to understand the story?

Plot

Did the author use repetition / how did the author use repetition?
How does the story problem escalate?
How is the story resolved? Is this resolution satisfying?
How well can a child relate to the situation?

Character

Who is the main character? (Name, age, race, species, sex, gender, etc.)
What makes the main character interesting for children?
Who are the main character's family and friends? What roles do they take in the story?

Setting

Where does the story take place?
How long does the story last? (A day, a few hours, etc)

Art

What style of artwork was used? (Cartoony, realistic, surreal, highly detailed, minimalist...)
Does the art enhance the feel of the writing?
Is the picture book's main appeal the writing, the words or both?
Does the book employ the other senses? (Pop-ups, textures, noises, etc.)

Overall

Did you enjoy the book? Would you read more by this author?
Is it the sort of book you / a child would re-read?
How is the rhyme and meter of the story? (for rhyming books)

escritora · Nov 15, 2011

I have a busy morning. Will post my review in the afternoon. In the meantime, feel free to post your thoughts on How to Catch a Star.

sissybaby · Nov 15, 2011

This month's selection was How To Catch A Star by Oliver Jeffers.

I liked the book, but didn't love it. I think he may have underestimated his audience just a little bit.

First let me begin by saying that I did, very much, like the artwork. It reminded me somewhat of a David story. Very simple, but charming.

Also, I loved the premise of the story. What child hasn't wished for the moon or a star?

It was written very simply so that an early reader could probably manage it on his/her own, and an even younger child could very easily follow the story if it was read aloud by an adult.

Plotwise, the story line is consistent and follows a logical sequence. He wants a star and tries his best to figure out how to achieve his goal. His efforts and thought processes are logical for a child, except for once, and that's where I have a problem with the tale. I think even some of the youngest audience members are going to know that stars are not out there during the day (at least, they can't see them during the day so they assume they are gone). The fact that he waited around all day for one of them to fall out of the sky didn't seem realistic to me, even though climbing a tree to try to reach one does. If that makes any sense at all.

Even though there was no dialogue, I don't think that detracted from the overall enjoyment of the story.

So, I liked it much better than our first sample, I wasn't totally crazy about it. Maybe a child would want to hear it or read it repeatedly, but it just didn't quite work for me.

maybe some of you others found more to love about it than me. I can't wait to hear your impressions.

escritora · Nov 15, 2011

I like the beginning of the book very much. I thought the text was clever. Though I only smiled once. The middle lagged for me and I felt sorry for the little boy. He seemed lonely. I think the illustrations had something to do with it. They weren’t rich enough or simple enough for my taste. And because I am complicated, I do like the cover. In fact, I would pick up the book based on the cover illustration.

My favorite part was the how the yellow star the boy found could have been the shooting star mentioned earlier in the book or a starfish. We’ll never know!

As I read the book, Coldplay’s song Yellow kept popping into my head.

There’s a veiled message – shoot for your dreams - that isn’t preachy.

All that said, I do think the book will engage children. They would probably want to try and catch a star of their own. This is a nice bedtime story because it’s a quiet book.

Overall I’m mixed. I wouldn’t buy the book, but I would borrow it from the library.

Polenth · Dec 4, 2011

I'm going to be the contrary one, as I liked this book. The story was quirky and the pictures distinctive. I liked the randomness of some of the plans (I didn't see the rocket ship coming).

It's notable that adults don't make an appearance, and don't control the boy's life. A lot of picture books have children restricted by their parents. That's realistic, but not really a child's fantasy. There's a lot of appeal in being able to have adventures without being told "no" or getting in trouble for it.

I do think it has a few rough patches. The first plan to catch a star before they disappear in the morning was the least interesting. I also found the end a bit abrupt, as the only real sign of what he does with the star is the little picture on the back page where he's reading it a story. I'd have liked to see him hang out with his new pal a bit.

I've already read more books by this author, as this was the start of a series. I'd say the later books in the series are stronger, but I still like this one (which was the author's debut). Possibly it has more UK appeal, as the series has done very well here.

sissybaby · Dec 4, 2011

It's so great to get everyone's opinions on the same book, because others point out things that I miss entirely.

How to Catch a Star (PB Club)

escritora

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escritora

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sissybaby

escritora

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Polenth

Mushroom

sissybaby