Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars

by Laura Kosann

During a magical night and day spent walking in a beautiful field, a little girl who has been discouraged by her schoolmates gets a message from a fairy about recognizing her own strengths. When a queen bee encourages her to become a queen herself, she puts the fairy’s message to the test. A larger-than-life sleepy moon and a cast of charming insects and animals shower her with advice about the queen bee’s invitation. Ultimately, she must decide whether becoming a queen is the right way for her to realize her potential. Young readers will delight in this gentle and dreamlike lesson on the importance of believing in yourself.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2021

Reviews

[Cheri]

This is a beautifully illustrated story about the power of believing in yourself, despite what others may say.

’Once there was a little girl who was told she would never be able to do big things.’

This was a girl who already had dreams of her own, but when the other children in her school told her she could never achieve them, she began to doubt that she could make them come true, she began to doubt herself and what she could achieve.

And then one night, sleeping under the light of the moon, her dreams led her to hear the whispers of a fairy letting her know that she did have the power to make her dreams come true, after all.

And when she woke up, her determination to believe in herself was stronger, and as she makes her way she is encouraged further by the various creatures who share their wisdom, including a queen bee who shares her wisdom about what it takes to become a good queen, and the moon encourages her to dream the kind of dreams that she can make come true, the kind of dreams she’d always had to begin with, and the ones that the future will bring.


Published: 17 Sep 2021

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Greenleaf Book Group / Greenleaf Book Group Press

[CYIReadBooks (Claire)]

Once upon a time, there was this little girl that had big dreams. She dreamt of great adventures, traveling the world, and becoming an inventor. But all her schoolmates told her that she was too small, too insignificant to do anything. Sadly, the little girl believed her schoolmates.

One night, however, a fairy appeared and told the little girl that she had the power to be whatever she wanted to be. And after receiving advice from several other inhabitants, the little girl realized that she needed to follow her dreams. She could become whatever she wanted to be. She could do things she dreamt of doing; and she also had the power to be anything she wanted.

Under the Sun, Moon and Stars is a wonderfully illustrated picture book with sage advice written in the form of a fairytale. The characters are cute as well as colorful. The storyline is simple and easy to follow. Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars is the perfect addition to any little girl’s library. Too bad there isn’t a little boys version of the story (yet?) Four and a half cute stars, rounded up.

I received a digital ARC from Greenleaf Book Group Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Srivalli Rekha]

3.8 Stars

The book is about a little girl who is told she’s too small to have big adventures. She sleeps on the grass under the moon when a fairy tells her, “you’ve had the power all along…” (reminds me of The Wizard of the Oz). The girl has a day-long adventure, talking to animals, birds, bees, and the sun.

As night falls, the moon reminds her that she can have her adventures irrespective of what others say. She’s got to be kind, brave, and good.

The illustrations are rather cute, with vibrant background and whimsical lines as characters. The overall effect is eye-catchy. However, I’m not sure about the target age group. The text (apart from being printed too small) has words that would be hard for kiddos to understand. The writing flow is a bit choppy and unlike the usual children’s books. Maybe the book is for slightly older readers who are still young?

To sum up, Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars is a pretty decent book adults can read out to kids.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.

#UndertheSunMoonandStars #NetGalley

[Taylor Emerick]

This was a really sweet children's book. The pages are so colorful, and the illustrations so whimsical and sweet. It has the feel of children's drawings, with the skill of an adult artist, making it perfect for a young reader. The story is about a young, small girl, which I loved (being a small girl myself)- who was told by her classmates that she'd never be able to do big things. She meets different animals who all give her different advice, until at the end the moon gives her the best one. I think the sister author/illustrator duo perfectly sum it up in their biographies at the end where they say that... "They hope children everywhere will listen to all the advice they can get in life, but ultimately will make the choice to follow their dreams." This is a darling book with beautiful illustrations and a sweet story.

[Dawn Michelle]

This is a delightful little book that talks about a girl who needs to find her dreams again after letting them go when she is told she is too small to achieve all she wants to. Filled with lovely dialogue and [mostly - the little girl is a bit creepy IMO] beautiful illustrations, it is a good reminder to kids [and the adults who read this to them] that dreams are important and that size is no limitation to achieving all that you want out of life. Absolutely delightful.

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Kosann, Danielle Kosann [Illustrator], and Greenleaf Book Group for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin]

Though this book had a strong message to it, it didn't really appeal to my children. They lost interest about halfway through the book. They thought the pictures had pretty colors. It was a decent book and maybe they would enjoy it at later ages (they're 4 and 7), but it seemed to miss the bar for them. Thank you to Netgalley and Laura Kosann for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Laura]

We won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This is a very uplifting story about a little girl being able to be whatever she puts her mind to. So, when I read to my 3 yr old, we have to change the name in the story to his name, so this was a super uplifting book that I was reading to him that he could be whatever he puts his mind to.

[Elyse]

NetGalley ARC.

The story was cute but I didn't care for the artwork. It was awkward and felt unfinished. All of the characters have one side, it's like the illustrator doesn't know how to draw a whole person. It took me out of the little story because it was so strange.

[Carrie]

I won this book as a goodreads giveaway.
IMO, this book had a lot of potential, but the writing missed the mark. The concept of the story was great, but the story did not flow well. It was choppy, abrupt, and some of the language was too advanced for the intended younger audience. Needs to be simplified and not so jerky. I would have enjoyed a little more dialogue between the girl and the creatures she meets along her dream...for the animals to elaborate on their wise words of advice.
The illustrations were beautiful, but the unfinished faces were a little strange.

[Rajiv]

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“Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars” is a charming children’s novel that could resonate with children and adults. We often let go of our dreams and aspirations because of people who try to discourage us. The story beautifully highlights how people can dream of achieving anything if they believe in it and get the right encouragement.

The author wrote the feelings of the little girl in the story very nicely. Initially, she feels small because her schoolmates make her feel too small to dream big. As the tale progresses, you see how she gets encouragement from the owl, snakes, birds, and the creatures around her to never give up her dreams and aspirations. One of my favorite lines is when she says if a small bee can be a Queen, why cannot she? It was a beautiful message and one which I will remember for a long time.

Moreover, no children’s book would be complete without the illustrations. I thought Danielle Kosann did a great job with the pictures. Interestingly, I felt the story stands apart from a children’s book because of the story’s unique drawing style. The backgrounds are details with beautiful contrasting colors, whereas the main characters feel like abstract line drawings. The illustrations give this book a whimsical, dreamlike quality and add nicely to the story’s theme.

Honestly, I hope the author continues to write more children’s books with such themes, as they are beautiful. Overall, “Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars” is an inspiring children’s book that I feel a reader of any age would appreciate.

[Vanessa]

"Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars" by Laura Kosann is a delightful journey of self-discovery and empowerment that captivates young readers with its heartfelt message and whimsical illustrations.

As the story unfolds, we meet a courageous little girl who, despite facing teasing and doubts from her classmates, embarks on a magical adventure in a beautiful field. Through encounters with fairies, bees, birds, snakes, and more, she learns valuable lessons about self-confidence and believing in her own abilities.

Kosann's storytelling is beautifully simple yet profound, making it easily accessible to early readers while imparting important themes of self-belief and resilience. The language is gentle and encouraging, offering a comforting reassurance to children who may be struggling with self-doubt.

The illustrations, seemingly crafted by a child but skillfully created by an adult, add a charming touch to the narrative. They perfectly complement the whimsical atmosphere of the story, inviting young readers to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of the little girl's imagination.

What makes this book even more special is the fact that it was written and illustrated by sisters, highlighting the importance of sibling bonds and cooperation. It's a heartwarming reminder to children that even amidst disagreements, they can find common ground and support each other's dreams.

"Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars" is a sweet and captivating tale that encourages children to embrace their uniqueness and believe in themselves. It's a wonderful addition to any young reader's bookshelf, offering a gentle reminder of the endless possibilities that await when they trust in their own abilities.

[Laura]

This modern-day fairytale is about a little girl who questions who she is and what she can become. As she sleeps under the stars, she dreams of a fairy that reminds her she has had the power all along to make her dreams come true. The bumblebees confirm that she only has to believe to become a queen if she desires. This boosts the little girl’s confidence to help her believe in herself.

This colorful picture book is written for children ages four to seven. I am a fan of teaching children new words, but “contemplated” and concept of “seize the day” may be a bit of a stretch for many in this age group. The second page has a fairy telling the little girl, “You’ve had the power all along..” Then the little girl thinks her classmates “had been wrong all along”. I would have liked a bit more information. Was she teased because she was small? Did she have friends?

The illustrations are colorful. They appear dreamlike such as queens wearing crowns with only one eye. The animals and flowers are drawn in beautiful eye-catching colors that children will love. I struggled with this book because the illustrations are for younger children, but the vocabulary and storyline are for children possibly older than the targeted age group.

This is the first picture book by Laura and Danielle Kosann. They are the authors of Great Tastes, a “Cooking and Eating from Morning to Midnight, A Cookbook”.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2021 Laura Hartman #UndertheSunMoonandStars #NetGalley

[Joan]

Review of eBook

Once upon a time, there was a little girl with big dreams. She wanted to go to the rain forest or fly around the world or invent something new, but her classmates said she was too small to do anything big.

So she went walking in her favorite field where she lay in the grass in the light of the moon and fell asleep. She dreamed of a yellow-winged fairy who told her she had power.

Could she really do the things she had once dreamed of doing? What happens when she meets the Queen Bee? And what will she learn from the owl, the snake, the pink dragonfly, and the rabbit?

Will the moon convince the little girl to dream?

Whimsically illustrated, this little girl’s story is a message of believing in yourself, of following your dreams. The targeted audience is the young reader, ages four through seven. However, there are a LOT of words here and the vocabulary is very advanced for four-year-old picture book readers.

It truly is a good story, but its message does not seem particularly relevant to a four-year-old [even though all children should be encouraged to dream]. Seven-year-old readers might begin to understand the message in this story, especially if adults discussed it with the child.

That being said, the positive message is one all children should hear . . . they should always believe in themselves [despite what their peers may say] and be encouraged to dream and to find a way to make those dreams real for themselves.

Recommended [but for a slightly older audience].

I received a free copy of this eBook from Greenleaf Book Group, Greenleaf Book Group Press and NetGallley
#UndertheSunMoonandStars #NetGalley

[Annie]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars is an ethereal and whimsical tale for youngsters by Laura and Danielle Kosann. Due out 15th Sept 2021 from Greenleaf Book Group, it's 24 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a sweetly imagined story about the power of believing in ourselves. A little girl was told she would never be able to do big things. Through encouragement and some good advice from the animals she meets along the way, and some sage advice from the moon, she learns to believe in the power of her own dreams. My only (very) minor quibble along the way was that the Queen Bumblebee was from a hive hanging in a tree (nearly all species, even the social ones live in underground nests or colonies). On the other hand, I was prepared to accept that the little girl was chatting with the moon, a fairy, an owl, a snake, and others; so it's not a big gripe.

The art is simple and modern (see the cover), and full of small details which will add a dimension of hunt & find during story time. There are a number of characters which will also give scope for some silly voices during reading. This would be a good selection for public or school library acquisition, circle-reading in a classroom setting, or reading at home.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[C.]

This particular book just wasn't for me.

In theory, I love the idea of the story of a little girl who gains confidence by learning to go after her dreams and be herself, but the execution just didn't work for me. In brief, the little girl is told by a fairy that she can go after her dreams, and she wakes up and says 'well a fairy says it, it must be true', then she runs into a Queen Bee that says 'if you want to be a queen, you can be a queen - look at me', which sends the little girl off on a quest of 'how to be a good queen', receiving a great deal of conflicting advice around the way, until she is reminded by the Fairy that she should be exploring her dreams - not just being a Queen because someone else suggested it.

On the one hand, this feels very real to life, particularly when you're young. It can be difficult to sort out your own dreams from peer pressure and what people expect for you to be. On the other hand, at times the message feels muddled by all of the conflicting advice the young girl receives along the way. And while the story brings it back around, it very much felt as if it had to explain at the end what it was trying to say, rather than it being a natural conclusion of the text.

The illustrations are whimsical and support the rather dreamlike nature of the text decently. All in all this book serves as a decent addition to a collection on self-confidence and self-discovery.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for this review.

[Debbie Lesley]

A wonderful little book for children about believing in oneself. The story begins as a little girl has been teased and made fun of (bullied??) because she is small. While she wanted to "go to the rain forest, or fly around the world or invent something new!" But because she was small, her classmates said she could not do it which made her doubt herself.

This is a good book to use with children (probably PK-2) when discussing self-confidence and believing in yourself. It is written with language easily read and understood by early readers. I really appreciated the illustrations as they appear to have been done by a child yet they were done by an adult. I think many children would assume they were child-drawn.

Simplicity is so important for young children and this one hits it just right. Children want to helieve that they can talk to all sorts of things and in this book, the young girl talks with fairies, bees, birds, snakes, and more with all of them giving her advice to ponder.

Another little thing to share with children is the fact that this book was written and illustrated by sisters. Sometimes kids get along great and at other times, they might need reminding that they will get along with siblings, even if it takes a while.

I did receive this book via #NetGalley as an ARC and am so glad I was able to read it.
#UndertheSunMoonandStars #NetGalley.

[Carlanna]

This book was created by a sister team of the author Laura Kosann and the illustrator Danielle Kosann.
It’s about a girl who wants to have adventures and travel and possibly even invent something new !
It’s about not doubting yourself it’s about reaching for your dreams and believing that things are possible no matter what other people tell you.
Along the stories path she is given words of wisdom from my fairy ,a bumblebee ,an owl ,other creatures and even the sun and the moon.
There are great thoughts for inspiring a young person in here and the story also portrays that just like most of us we need to hear encouraging and positive advice many times before it starts to sink in.
I thought the illustrations were gorgeous and dreamlike. For me a children’s book always has to have great illustrations.
I think parents and children alike will enjoy this book whether they are reading it to someone or listening to it being read by someone.
Thanks to Netgalley and Greenleaf book group
for the Earc .

#UndertheSunMoonandStars #NetGalley

[Jennifer]

The message is great, the execution is only so-so. The idea of a little girl pursuing her dreams and getting distracted by other people's ideas of what her dreams should be is a very relatable one. I found myself put off by the drawing of the girl's head- it's only half finished: it contains nothing but exaggerated lips and one closed eye. Yes, the whole illustration style is whimsical, but it was just distracting from the story and the message that all the faces only have one eye and exaggerated lips. (At least the other creatures in the book have a fully drawn head).

Also, the fact that the little girl wanders on her own and sleeps out overnight outside with no supervision made my mama heart cringe.

If you can get past the funky head on the girl, this story could help you inspire kids to follow their own dreams. But, I won't be using it in story time because there are better choices out there.

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Susan]

The story is about a little girl who goes out walking worrying what her classmates told her. The told her that her big dreams could not possibly come true. She falls asleep on the grass. A fairy visits her and tells her something. What did the fairy tell her? The little girl wakes up and finds herself feeling strong. She goes on walking meeting a bumble bee queen who tells her she should be a queen. As she continues walking, many tell her how to be a queen. Night comes and the moon talks to her. What does the moon tell her?

This charming book educates us that the best thing to do is be yourself and follow your dreams. It is well written by the author. The illustrator has done beautiful colored illustrations that hold your attention while reading the story. It’s excellent!

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[MookNana]

I love the message of this story for kids. A young girl is feeling discouraged after being told she wasn't capable of doing the things she wanted to do. A fairy in a dream tells her that the power is within her, but she gets sidetracked attempting to fit herself into someone else's goals and ideals. She eventually realizes that her energy is best spent following her OWN dreams, which is something most of us lose sight of on occasion. The reminder is very valuable!

The illustrations are very pretty. The hand-drawn style is striking and engaging. This may be best as a small group or individual read in order to really get a close look at the pictures and let them inspire further conversations.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Ioana]

It's a cute children's book, focusing on a girl who has a hard time after a difficult day at school. Wondering what she could be, a fairy whispers that she has had the power all along to be whatever she wants. Even a queen, that is? The little girl gets different advice from various creatures about what it takes to be a queen, but in the end she figures out that what she wants is to dream and go after the things she wants in life.

It's a beautifully illustrated book, and I think it'd be suitable for all children, not just girls. The message is fit for all. I mean, if a bee can be a queen bee, surely a little girl can be whatever she wants to be, right?

I received a free e-book copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

[Lonny]

I read this children's book after getting a copy through NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the opportunity.

This is a very sweet story about a little girl who learns to empower herself after talking in her dreams to a fairy. It's a good story to read to children, but I don't think its something they would pick up themselves. The font is much too small, and the illustrations, while very colorful, are somewhat odd looking - perhaps I just don't appreciate the style. I also thought some of the vocabulary used was far above what the average four year old would understand.

To sum up - an excellent story to share, but more apt to be a story to read to children, rather then children learning to read it themselves.

[Laura]

I read a Netgalley shelf digital copy of this book. The title and idea of the book called to me.
I find the Netgalley shelf app difficult to appreciate, which could be why I did not enjoy the book as much as I wanted to. The overall message is very positive and upbeat.

The illustrations are simplistic with a dreamlike quality. They leave much to the imagination.
The story is about a child who is told she is too small to accomplish anything big.
When she meets a bee, she begins to question what qualities are required to become a queen.
Everyone has a different opinion. But this young girl's real dream was never about becoming a queen.
She needs to be reminded of her own dreams and her own abilities.

A simple book with a positive message.

[Ashley]

Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars is an uplifting story about a little girl who finds the strength to believe in herself. After being told that she is too small to do anything big, the main character falls asleep in her favorite field and she dreams of fairies, bees & other creatures who help her realize just how powerful she can be if she only believes in herself.

The illustrations in this book are very beautiful and unique. The style is simple, but interesting and the color palette is vivid. This book shares a wonderful message and I will definitely be recommending it to all of the moms I know.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

[Kaye]

I was invited via email from NetGalley to read a temporary ARC of this book. It is about a girl who wants to travel and have adventures. In her dreams and encounters she is encouraged to be bold, wise, not to be afraid and to follow her dreams. The illustrations are colorful but the style (sorta Picasso like) might be more appealing to adults than children. Also the words are in small print. I'm honestly not sure if the children in my elementary school library would choose this on their own. But they would probably enjoy if I or another adult read it to them. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[Pam]

I received an electronic ARC from Greenleaf Book Group through NetGalley.
Kosann shares an important message about believing in yourself even when others are discouraging. This little girl has many dreams for her future but others tell her she is too small to accomplish them. She falls asleep and meets a fairy who sets her on the path to dreaming again. Other creatures offer advice and encouragement. Once it's night again, the moon offers the final advice - go back to her dreams and make them happen.
The text is a bit long for elementary level but works as a read aloud or for adults who need this reminder too. I don't care for this style of illustration but they are well done.

[Sirah]

In this soft dreamy book, one little girl finds herself feeling small and helpless. Nature comes along, and each being she meets gives her advice to help her become more queenly and grand, but how can one child be everything they expect of her?

Soft and poetic and full of strange but lovely illustrations, this book is an elegant bedtime story for any child who deserves to hope and dream. If I were editing it, I would make the beginning less abstract and divide up the paragraphs so there aren't so many walls of text on a few of the pages. After all, though, it made me feel hopeful and sleepy, and I highly recommend it for parents who want to instill these qualities in their children.

[M. K. French]

Discouraged by classmates, a little girl is told by a fairy that she should recognize her own strength. A queen bee tells the girl to be a queen herself, so with advice from the moon and other insects, she has to decide what to do to reach her potential.

Different animals have different advice: seize the day, have wisdom, have bravery, get a bit of luck, trust in herself and be bold. The sun suggested that she share her happiness with others, and the moon reminded her to never forget her dreams. The Kosann sisters wrote and illustrated this book, and it's a cute parable for all little girls needing a reminder of how special they can be. This is a fun book for young readers.

[April M Morin]

Thank you to Laura Kosann, Danielle Kosann and Greenleaf for a copy of Under the Sun. Moon and Stars.
I loved this book from the moment I saw the cover and title - it seemed the perfect book for a little girl.
I appreciate any book that encourages kids (especially girls) to be brave and pursue their dreams. I love the storyline of all the animals incorporated and encouraging the little girl. The artwork is colorful and pretty.
I have a cousin who is having a baby girl this coming Spring and her theme is bees. This book will be perfect for their little one and I am so excited to share it with her.
Thank you again - wonderful sweet encouraging story!

[Cynthia]

Very colorfully illustrated pages, with small text, telling the story of a child learning about what it means to dream about what she wants to do in her life. The drawings are simple, colorful & whimsical ..... and actually maybe something more like an adult might like than a child? It has a nice message, but doubt that it would be a child's favorite book for you to read to them.
I received this e-ARC from Greenleaf Book Group Press via NetGalley, in return for reading it & posting my own fair & honest review.