Skywatcher

2022 Bank Street Best Children’s Books

 

Tamen longs to see the stars, but none are visible in the light-polluted sky above the fire escape of his apartment building. Even in the neighborhood park, the stars are hidden by city lights. So his mom, a nightshift nurse, finds a way to take him camping. For one magical night on the shore of a wilderness pond, the Milky Way in all its glory belongs to them.

Written and Illustrated by Jamie Hogan

$18.95 hardcover
ISBN 978-0-88448-897-2
9 x 11 • 32 pages
Illustrated in color throughout Ages 5 – 8 • F&P level M PICTURE BOOK/ FICTION

JAMIE HOGAN has published illustrations in newspapers, periodicals, and numerous award winning children’s books including Rickshaw Girl, which was named one of the Best 100 Books by the New York Public Library and won the Jane Addams Peace Association Award and the Maine Library Association’s Lupine Award; and Island Birthday, which won the 2015 Lupine Award. Jamie lives on an island in Casco Bay with her husband and daughter.

“Hogan’s illustrations are almost all in velvety shades of blue to convey the darkness of the night, except for a pale green Luna moth and the golds and purples surrounding the stars. One double-page spread shows mother and son sitting close together, their bodies sprinkled with the same stars that dot the sky.”  - Horn Book Magazine

 

“A celebration of the darkness, the mysteries of night, the importance of keeping places unpolluted by overlighting, and, most of all, that there’s wilderness out there, and there’s also wilderness within us, and we need to be connected to it.”  - Boston Globe

 

“What makes this story stand out is the relationship between a boy and his hardworking mother, and a special night they share together outside of their usual busy routine.”  - Kirkus Reviews

 

“Gorgeously illustrated. Kids will treasure this book.”  - San Francisco Book Review

 

“Beautifully illustrated.”  - International Dark-Sky Association

 

“A simple, sweet story about a tiny but loving family. I loved the artwork.”  - Youth Services Book Review (starred)

 

“HIGH ADDITIONAL: Told with warmth, this story will inspire children to learn more about the constellations and astronomy.”  - The Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California

 

"A city-dwelling child gets a chance to see the stars. What makes this story stand out is the relationship between a boy and his hardworking mother, who works the night shift at the hospital, and a special night they share together outside of their usual busy routine. Tamen sees a new side of his mother; together, they feel at one with the universe, and when they return home, Tamen cherishes the memories." - Kirkus Reviews