The Klaus Flugge judges said: ‘few books these days use light and tone or traditional watercolour skills to tell stories; it’s worked into something quite magical here.’
Helen Kellock uses light and composition to create an atmospheric starry adventure, that glows with family love.
"The book absolutely shimmers with light. The sisters, the forest, the star - all seem to glow on the page. There is a star in this beautiful book!" - Jessica Love, creator of Julian is a Mermaid
One Saturday evening, sisters Pip and Maisie are sitting in the warm snug of their grandparent's cottage on the edge of a forest in Scotland. Maisie is restless and longs for adventure, but life at the cottage is always slow. When a bright light suddenly falls from the sky into the forest next door, Maisie can't believe her luck - finally an adventure has come her way! She has boots on and torch in hand before Pip has even put down her hot chocolate.
Maisie is desperate to discover the special something as quickly as she can. As the two sisters journey through the dark forest towards the gradually receding light, her imagination runs riot - perhaps it's space treasure, gold dust, or maybe even a creature from outer space! Pip, meanwhile, takes in the dark shapes and strange sounds around her, tentatively adjusting to the forest and its wild inhabitants. When Maisie finally reaches the source of the light, she is bitterly disappointed - the special something is no more than a lump of rock. But thanks to Pip's careful observations, they realize it is in fact a star!
Highly atmospheric and magical in quality, this delightful debut picture book is sure to enchant children and parents alike.
Readers will wonder what the girls will find and also what excitement awaits them on the second day of their vacation. — Booklist
A charming, gorgeously illustrated ode to sisterhood, adventure, and mindfulness. — Kirkus Reviews
Author
About Helen Kellock
Helen Kellock is an illustrator and artist based in Glasgow with a master’s in illustration from the Glasgow School of Art. Her first book, The Star in the Forest, won the Batsford Prize for children’s illustration in 2018 and she was named Picture Hooks Illustrator of the Year in 2019.
