The Secret Stars

by Joseph Slate, Felipe Dávalos (Illustrator)

In New Mexico on a rainy Night of the Three Kings, Sila and Pepe worry that the kings will not be able to use the stars to navigate, so grandmother takes them on a magical journey to see the secret stars all around them.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Alma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sila and Pepe are excited because it’s the night before the Three Kings arrive. The rain has turned icy, so they’re worried the gifts they left won’t be traded for toys and candy if there aren’t stars to light their way. Dávalos won a 2000 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Award for his work on this book. Read more about it on my blog: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....

[Zoe Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book. There’s so much content around family and love and I all around think it is a beautiful book that includes more cultures which is always good for the classroom.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional art that was honored with a Pura Belpre award.

While it is about Epiphany, so it's the Three Kings instead of Santa, the magical workarounds for the weather might be of interest, with a different take than Rudolph.

Very cozy family love.

[Sherry Thornberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is apparently about Christmas in Mexico. It didn't say it out right but it referred to winter and the Three Kings findidng the baby and leaving presents. I loved the descriptive words in this poem. The words really gave me a feel for the authors voice. I could also feel the warmth between the love between the grandmother and the grand kids. The illustrations were awesome too.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are wonderful. I loved the glittering stars and the many things that glittered like stars. This is a nice book that shows a grandmother and her grandchildren waiting for the Three Kings to come with gifts.

[Michelle White]

This book would be good to read because many students would relate to hearing a bedtime story and then dreaming about it. I got it from the IUS Library.

[Carrie Marie Lawson Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The three kings need to travel on this dark starless night and will be guided by the secret stars

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

2000 Belpre Illustrator Honor