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May the Stars Drip Down
May the stars drip down light on you,
And you close your eyes to see the moon,
And sleep will pull you through.
May the starlight find you.
Thus begins the gorgeous lullaby “May the Stars Drip Down” by indie rock band Cub Country, now adapted into a beautiful bedtime book with illustrations by the acclaimed cut-paper artist Nikki McClure. McClure’s tender and intricate images, inspired by nature and the intense bond between parent and child, perfectly complement musician Jeremy Chatelain’s soothing lyrics. An audio download of the song is also included.
Praise for May the Stars Drip Down
STARRED REVIEW
"A richly imagined dreamscape in a feat of paper artistry."
-- Kirkus Review , starred review
"Soft, lovely, and just right for a dreamy bedtime read-aloud."
-- Booklist
NAPPA Silver Award Winner
And you close your eyes to see the moon,
And sleep will pull you through.
May the starlight find you.
Thus begins the gorgeous lullaby “May the Stars Drip Down” by indie rock band Cub Country, now adapted into a beautiful bedtime book with illustrations by the acclaimed cut-paper artist Nikki McClure. McClure’s tender and intricate images, inspired by nature and the intense bond between parent and child, perfectly complement musician Jeremy Chatelain’s soothing lyrics. An audio download of the song is also included.
Praise for May the Stars Drip Down
STARRED REVIEW
"A richly imagined dreamscape in a feat of paper artistry."
-- Kirkus Review , starred review
"Soft, lovely, and just right for a dreamy bedtime read-aloud."
-- Booklist
NAPPA Silver Award Winner
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 5, 2014
This is a picture book that reads like a mother's good night prayer. I found the text difficult to read because of the fragmented sentence structure. I realize it is in poetic form, but still...picture books, in my opinion, should flow well. I did find the dark tones of the illustrations magical. It complimented the text and gave it a mystical, dream-like feel. It makes a nice bedtime story with its lulling effect.
There is a song that accompanies the book that I found helpful when reading it. The song makes the reading experience hypnotic yet endearing. This is a book in which the song compliments the text as much as illustrations make a picture book.
I recommend reading the book before listening to the song first to get what I mean.
Music: http://www.abramsbooks.com/maythestar...
Regardless, May The Stars Drip Down by Jeremy Chatelain and Nikki McClure, is a beautiful poetic and artistic book. A treasure to keep.
There is a song that accompanies the book that I found helpful when reading it. The song makes the reading experience hypnotic yet endearing. This is a book in which the song compliments the text as much as illustrations make a picture book.
I recommend reading the book before listening to the song first to get what I mean.
Music: http://www.abramsbooks.com/maythestar...
Regardless, May The Stars Drip Down by Jeremy Chatelain and Nikki McClure, is a beautiful poetic and artistic book. A treasure to keep.
April 15, 2014
Quiet and lovely, this is a picture book version of the lullaby by indie rock band Cub Country. That song is haunting and beautiful with its slow pace. This book is much the same. The lyrics to the song read as a poem on the page, one that takes a child on a journey of dreams before returning back home again. It is a book designed for reading at bedtime in the same soothing pace as the song.
McClure’s cut paper art adds to the beauty of the book. Done entirely in blues and whites, the book invites children to twilight and darkness. Throughout the book the night is celebrated in its beauty, from the moon on the sea to the the owl winging past. There is a sense both in the poem and the art that you are seeing into the secrets of the evening.
A gorgeous new version of a song, this book is ideal for bedtime reading and dreaming. Appropriate for ages 2-5.
McClure’s cut paper art adds to the beauty of the book. Done entirely in blues and whites, the book invites children to twilight and darkness. Throughout the book the night is celebrated in its beauty, from the moon on the sea to the the owl winging past. There is a sense both in the poem and the art that you are seeing into the secrets of the evening.
A gorgeous new version of a song, this book is ideal for bedtime reading and dreaming. Appropriate for ages 2-5.
April 19, 2014
Another one I wanted to like. The text is lyrics and they don't read as well as they probably sound. Made it vague and confusing. maybe hearing the music would help.
November 23, 2018
I don't know why, but as the fall and winter seasons begin approaching, I find myself more and more drawn to children's books, but classic and new. I like seeking out new ones in addition to rereading the ones I remember from childhood. This year, it just so happen to be "May the Stars Drip Down," its title so beautiful, it called to me immediately when I saw it in stock at the store where I work.
Written in the form of a lullaby or a prayer, the book is actually an adaptation of a song. Author Jeremy Chatelain is a musician by trade, and, my book at least, came with the option to download a version of the song to play/listen/read along to. I haven't yet done so, though I hope I remember to do it in the future.
But I am content with the words as they are in the book. They are fragmentary and poetic, which is unusually for a child's book, as they so usually focus on narrative and teaching good behavior. "May the Stars Drip Down" is more interested in conveying various feelings, in explaining how to humans the night feels so different to the day, to kids. Explaining that feeling is enough, that you don't have to justify or explain what or why you are feeling. Explaining that you are loved by those around you. I think those lessons are just as important to impart as any more traditional story about not crossing the woods at night or not sucking your thumb.
And maybe that's why I'm drawn to kid's books in the winter: it becomes the time for family holidays, the time when I see my youngest relatives, and I love reading to them, giving them new ideas and things to mull over in the forming minds.
All of which doesn't even begin to mention the wonderful artwork by Nikki McClure. McClure did an excellent job at adapting the words and the music into images. She really captures the tone and mood of the book, the story, as it were, of the magical way that nighttime seeps into us as we drift off to sleep and our brain meanders in the process of shutting down. The nature imagery, not just of stars, but also of sand dunes, grassy knolls, foxes and owls, really push it over the top as a purely emotional and sensory experience.
Written in the form of a lullaby or a prayer, the book is actually an adaptation of a song. Author Jeremy Chatelain is a musician by trade, and, my book at least, came with the option to download a version of the song to play/listen/read along to. I haven't yet done so, though I hope I remember to do it in the future.
But I am content with the words as they are in the book. They are fragmentary and poetic, which is unusually for a child's book, as they so usually focus on narrative and teaching good behavior. "May the Stars Drip Down" is more interested in conveying various feelings, in explaining how to humans the night feels so different to the day, to kids. Explaining that feeling is enough, that you don't have to justify or explain what or why you are feeling. Explaining that you are loved by those around you. I think those lessons are just as important to impart as any more traditional story about not crossing the woods at night or not sucking your thumb.
And maybe that's why I'm drawn to kid's books in the winter: it becomes the time for family holidays, the time when I see my youngest relatives, and I love reading to them, giving them new ideas and things to mull over in the forming minds.
All of which doesn't even begin to mention the wonderful artwork by Nikki McClure. McClure did an excellent job at adapting the words and the music into images. She really captures the tone and mood of the book, the story, as it were, of the magical way that nighttime seeps into us as we drift off to sleep and our brain meanders in the process of shutting down. The nature imagery, not just of stars, but also of sand dunes, grassy knolls, foxes and owls, really push it over the top as a purely emotional and sensory experience.
June 3, 2023
This bedtime story based upon a lullaby written and performed by Chatelain and the band Cub Country becomes magical when the stunning artwork of noteworthy illustrator Nikki McClure brings it to life.
The magic begins with the cloud shaped half-jacket that covers only the bottom of the blue toned artwork. When you open the cover, the front page shows child and parent in bead reading the bedtime book in a child's room that cleverly contains the images of items from many or if not all of the scenes to come. As the child drifts off to sleep, the dream begins as they drift over land and sea till morning. That is when a new color, yellow is introduced to the art to reflect the change in time. The yellow enhanced images follow to the end page which reveals an empty bed and the treasures of the lullaby in greater relief.
The charming text and exceptional artwork make this a great bedtime story. It was included in our spring 2023 review box from the publishers, but it came out in 2014. I am not really sure if a totally new copy could be bought, but it would be worth seeking out a copy listed in good to excellent condition for a home library. The lullaby song can be found on internet, and I found it on You Tube.
I would recommend this book for purchase and for libraries to keep as long as possible!
This book was provided by the publisher for professional reveiw by SWON Libraries.
The magic begins with the cloud shaped half-jacket that covers only the bottom of the blue toned artwork. When you open the cover, the front page shows child and parent in bead reading the bedtime book in a child's room that cleverly contains the images of items from many or if not all of the scenes to come. As the child drifts off to sleep, the dream begins as they drift over land and sea till morning. That is when a new color, yellow is introduced to the art to reflect the change in time. The yellow enhanced images follow to the end page which reveals an empty bed and the treasures of the lullaby in greater relief.
The charming text and exceptional artwork make this a great bedtime story. It was included in our spring 2023 review box from the publishers, but it came out in 2014. I am not really sure if a totally new copy could be bought, but it would be worth seeking out a copy listed in good to excellent condition for a home library. The lullaby song can be found on internet, and I found it on You Tube.
I would recommend this book for purchase and for libraries to keep as long as possible!
This book was provided by the publisher for professional reveiw by SWON Libraries.
August 13, 2018
bold illustrations and soothing text make this a nice one-on-one read.
October 26, 2018
lily fall reading 2018, children's book, picture book, bedtime, love, parents
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2019
Always wonderful to see Nikki McClure’s impressive work.
July 18, 2019
Beautiful poetry picture book for young children at bedtime focusing on space. Very sweet and gentle.
March 28, 2020
Man is this a great book
I've read it about 7 times in the last couple days to record for kids
gets better each time
and during this lockup, there is hope in the dreams
I've read it about 7 times in the last couple days to record for kids
gets better each time
and during this lockup, there is hope in the dreams
March 30, 2024
What a beautifully worded blessing of a book.
February 22, 2017
I got this book out from my local library and have been reading it to baby before his naps. I love the dreamy quality of this book, and I cry at the last line every time without fail!
February 7, 2017
Charming illustrations complement the lyrics of this beautiful lullaby.
April 1, 2014
Caregivers may read favorite books aloud, insure treasured toys and cozy blankets are near or softly sing a beloved melody. May The Stars Drip Down (Abrams Books For Young Readers) written by Jeremy Chatelain, a musician, with illustrations by Nikki McClure is a lullaby of love. A boy's dreams are choreographed masterfully in words and torn and cut paper illustrations.
My full review: http://bit.ly/1jho4X2
My full review: http://bit.ly/1jho4X2
July 15, 2014
Simple, lyrical lullaby accompanied by beautiful two-tones paper-cut illustrations. A perfect bedtime story for all seasons. I am looking forward to adding this to the rotation for Playart After Dark storytime.
July 31, 2014
Perhaps a bit high concept for the audience, but the text has a nice rhymic quality making this a good choice to help wind things down at bedtime. The illustrations are of a similar mellow style. For those looking for a break from Goodnight Moon- this might work.
February 13, 2015
Interesting two-tone illustrations. I'm not crazy about this book or the lyrics, or even the song you can download that is the inspiration for this book. I'm sad, because it was highly recommended to me. I love the sentiments and some of the imagery in the lyrics, but it just didn't touch me.
December 10, 2016
I haven't heard the song, so I don't know the musical rhythm, but the lyrics are sweet and the the illustrations are the best I've seen yet from Nikki McClure.
January 29, 2016
Sweet lullaby,cut paper art. Would like to hear the musical download.
May 17, 2014
This book is written in beautiful poetry with lovely images that are conducive to relaxation and sleep. It's pretty abstract, but could be read to ECE level readers at bedtime.
January 1, 2015
An ode to night and the eventual emergence of day break...poetic with stunning illustrations from McClure
April 23, 2014
I did not like the inconsistent rhyming, however I enjoyed the illustrations.
June 1, 2014
A beautiful, illustrated lullaby. I'd love to hear this set to music.
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December 6, 2014
Pretty lullaby, but if a book is known for its die cut illustrations, it should have more than one page of said die cuts. Disappointing.
July 12, 2014
Listen to and download the song here: http://www.abramsbooks.com/maythestar...
July 22, 2014
Loved the imagery the words create.
Sweet bedtime story.
Loved the last lines, grabbed my heart :)
Sweet bedtime story.
Loved the last lines, grabbed my heart :)
September 15, 2014
I wanted to love it, but I was underwhelmed. The song lyrics didn't seem to translate well (for me) to a children's picture book. Perhaps hearing the song would help.
December 20, 2014
Blue and white block prints contrast the night and light from moon and stars, then soft yellow appears with the morning sun.
Excellent examples of personification.
Lovely lullaby tune.
Excellent examples of personification.
Lovely lullaby tune.
October 3, 2014
Great for fans of poetic picture books, not so great for me. The illustrations and wording was beautiful, there was just nothing hooking me. Probably best for bedtime ;)
November 8, 2014
Words and illustrations together make a beautiful lullaby.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews