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How to Catch a Star
(The Boy #1)
by
Once there was a boy, and that boy loved stars very much. So much so that he decided to catch one of his very own. But how? Waiting for them to grow tired from being up in the sky all night doesn't work. Climbing to the top of the tallest tree? No, not tall enough. The boy has a rocket ship . . . but it is made of paper and doesn't fly well at all. Finally, just when the b
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Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
November 6th 2006
by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks
(first published June 3rd 2004)
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Debra Golden
great for preschoolers and early elementary ages, and parents will enjoy it, too.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of How to Catch a Star (The Boy, #1)
"Once there was a boy.."
One of the cutest starting line ever. ...more
One of the cutest starting line ever. ...more
I read this trying to find a book for an essay I'm doing on reaching for your dreams! And this is by far the CUTEST childrens book ever! With a great message. To reach for your biggest dreams, don't give up! Eeekk this was ADORABLE and SO precious! Anyone with younger kids or siblings, you should read this to them! <3 So cute and meaningful.
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Really cute illustrations, loved by both my nephews. Would be really useful as an early years science prompt.
Oliver Jeffers has done it again! The man can spin pure magic with such simple words, images, and joys in life.
Our young hero is determined to catch a star. It’s his dream. After waiting, jumping, and stretching though, his dream still looks and feels so far away.
”But in his heart, the wish just wouldn’t give up.”
These big, open, colorful pages will inspire readers of all ages to keep reaching for the stars. Hope and smiles shimmer and shine on every page. Sometimes we need to look at goals and ...more
Great illustrations as always. Lovely story line but could’ve done with a little more depth. Although, I think the one thing we can take from it is that you can wait for a long time, try and try again but fail. However, what you were looking for was right under your nose the whole time.
A story about a boy who doesn’t give up on his ambition to catch a star, even when it seems unlikely. As I read this book, I wished I had done so long ago. I thought of several pupils who I taught on placement that needed motivation to continue working hard, this would have shown them the importance of perseverance in a fun way!
Nov 04, 2019
Abigail
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Those Seeking Children's Stories About Longing for Something Out of Reach
Shelves:
picture-books
"Once there was a boy and the boy loved stars very much..." And so begins the simple narrative here, as the boy tries everything he can think of, from climbing a tree to using a lasso, to catch a sparkling star. All of his efforts prove futile, until he finds what he is looking for in an unexpected form ((view spoiler)), and at an unexpected time...
Originally published in 2004, How to Catch a Star is the first of four picture-books about the adventures of this boy - ...more
Originally published in 2004, How to Catch a Star is the first of four picture-books about the adventures of this boy - ...more
This book would be good to read to children in KS1 and year 3, it encourages creative thinking; they could think of and discuss how they might catch a star themselves. It could also be used to spark an interest in space and be used to introduce the topic of space. There are also colourful illustrations which show the boy’s ideas as well as time of day and how the ideas might and might not work.
A fun read with beautiful illustrations (as usual) by Jeffers about a boy who wants to catch a star. Particularly good if your child currently has a space rocket obsession :-)
This was so beautiful!!!
How to Catch a Star is a brilliant book to use in a KS1 classroom. There are multiple discussion points and curricular links to do with reflections and day and night. The illustrations are warm and eye capturing, I particularly love the shapes of the stars as they are very child-like drawn. The book teaches important values such as patience which could be used to discuss with a class of children.
A cute and quick children’s book about a little boy who tries various methods to catch a star. Ultimately, it comes to him from the sea.
A beautiful story of a boy who refuses to give up on his dream to catch a star of his own. The simple story line, with a clear narrative (beginning, middle and end), makes the book very accesible to KS1 children. Jeffers' illustrations are bold, bright, yet unclutterd and simple, and they help children keep up with the story and get lost in their immagination. After reading this book, children will forever be reaching for the stars!
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Aug 09, 2013
Shannon (Giraffe Days)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-book,
2013
I love Oliver Jeffers' books, especially his series about the little boy, of which this is the first book. We had already read the next book,
Lost and Found
, the one where a lost penguin turns up on his doorstep and he tries to help it find its way home again - such a wonderful book! This one is just as delightful, and really captures the kids' imaginations.
In this story, the boy loves stars and wants one. He tries many different ways to catch a star, like climbing to the top of the tree to ...more
In this story, the boy loves stars and wants one. He tries many different ways to catch a star, like climbing to the top of the tree to ...more
This book introduces the reader to a boy who loves stars so much, he wants to catch one of his own. He tries many different ways to catch one (such as climbing to the top of a tree), by the end of the book the boy collects a starfish. “The boy had caught a star. A star of his very own.” I loved this book – and my three year old daughter did too! I chose to read this book as Oliver Jeffers was an author recommended to us at university last year, and now I own quite a few of his books! I really en
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What Oliver Jeffers does so very well in this story is capture the child's perspective and voice. A little boy loves stars and wants to catch one. He attempts with great childlike enthusiasm and creativity again and again. It celebrates imagination, persistence and dreaming without ever stating any of these. The text is perfectly honed and paired with illustrations that bring to life the emotion and yearning of the sweet protagonist. Told with a quiet, calm beauty that is punctuated with just en
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A cute, imaginative story about a boy who wants a star for his own, so he can be friends with it. The ending was pretty cute, and I was happy. The illustrations were pretty fun, and fit in perfectly with the imaginative story.
Great story to read aloud. Also, I think the story is cute.
Beautiful illustrations and cute story for kids ^ - ^.
A beautiful book about a little boy who tries to catch a star. There is confusion around seeing stars in the daytime, reflections and star fish, all of which would provide great opportunities for discussion. These could link to science by looking at day and night and how the stars are still there we just can’t see them, as well as reflections. The illustrations are lovely and really make the book. I’d read the story with FS and KS1 children.
A lovely story book, perfect for KS1 which emphasises the skill of patience and that things may not always seem to be how we expect. This story of a little boy who eagerly wants to catch a star and has managed to achieve this when he’s about to give up. Great story to read and relate to children’s day to day life, friendships and the importance of carrying on no matter what and not giving up.
Last month when I was so swamped with grief and stress, I found this cute childrens book in one of my friends car. I was her nephews book. I took it along with us and I read it to my friends over dinner. It was a dreamy and charming little companion.
loving the imagination of oliver jeffers ... the child in me loves these books and the love of children in me loves the idea that these books are available to read to children.
I kept wondering how this kid was going to catch his very own star and was feeling his disappointment every time he was unsuccessful. But as most good stories go, we get a great happy ending.
Lovely read for young children. Creates imagination of stars and intrigues children into learning about them.
Overall good, interesting art.
Simple words and cute illustrations!
I'm starting to love this series. It just simply features a narrative of fantastical bliss. My little girl loved the story and the drawings of Jeffers are simply stunning.
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I read this book to a group of children on placement and they really enjoyed it. Myself and the children were able to make predictions throughout. Such a lovely story.
OH. MY. GOD.
<3
<3
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| UEL Primary PGCE ...: Book Review | 1 | 4 | Apr 26, 2015 06:14AM |
Readers also enjoyed
Oliver Jeffers' work takes many forms. His distinctive paintings have been exhibited in galleries worldwide, and HarperCollins UK and Penguin USA publish his award-winning picture books, now translated into over 30 languages.
In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day, and in 2008 Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London-based Studio AKA.
Jeffe ...more
In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day, and in 2008 Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London-based Studio AKA.
Jeffe ...more
Other books in the series
The Boy
(4 books)
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