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Star Party
When children and nature come together at the right moment, something magical happens. Join Nora and her grandparents as they gaze skyward and Who else is having a star party, just like us?
From a little cabin on the edge of the wilderness, Grandma and Grandpa invite Nora to her first Star Party. This mysterious celebration happens after dark. Nora Can I wear pajamas? Will there be snacks?
As Grandma leads the way on the forest trail, Nora discovers the wonders of the north woods at night. There are flying squirrels, calling loons, and hooting owls. But when Nora and Grandpa step onto the dock, she finds that the most dazzling sight of all is the night sky. Billions of stars glow above and are reflected in the lake below. Gazing up, up, up, Nora ponders the mysteries of starlight and stardust. And she thinks about how the night sky unites stargazers all over the world.
In Star Party , Polly Carlson-Voiles relates the simple joys of summer star-watching in a tale informed by years of camping and cabin adventures. Detailed illustrations by artist Consie Powell feature many night-loving animals of sky, forest, and lake, inviting readers to appreciate the vibrancy of the woods after dark. An author’s note highlights nocturnal creatures, constellations, and tips for observing the night sky, encouraging readers to learn more about nearby stargazing opportunities—in dark sky sanctuaries where the deepest nights are filled with the brightest stars.
Come join the fun!
From a little cabin on the edge of the wilderness, Grandma and Grandpa invite Nora to her first Star Party. This mysterious celebration happens after dark. Nora Can I wear pajamas? Will there be snacks?
As Grandma leads the way on the forest trail, Nora discovers the wonders of the north woods at night. There are flying squirrels, calling loons, and hooting owls. But when Nora and Grandpa step onto the dock, she finds that the most dazzling sight of all is the night sky. Billions of stars glow above and are reflected in the lake below. Gazing up, up, up, Nora ponders the mysteries of starlight and stardust. And she thinks about how the night sky unites stargazers all over the world.
In Star Party , Polly Carlson-Voiles relates the simple joys of summer star-watching in a tale informed by years of camping and cabin adventures. Detailed illustrations by artist Consie Powell feature many night-loving animals of sky, forest, and lake, inviting readers to appreciate the vibrancy of the woods after dark. An author’s note highlights nocturnal creatures, constellations, and tips for observing the night sky, encouraging readers to learn more about nearby stargazing opportunities—in dark sky sanctuaries where the deepest nights are filled with the brightest stars.
Come join the fun!
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 16, 2023
9 people want to read
About the author
Polly Carlson-Voiles
5 books10 followersPolly Carlson-Voiles grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spending memorable long summers in Hawaii, Virginia, and the north woods of Minnesota. Stray animals, wild animals, deep woods, ocean waves, storms and lakes helped shape her love for science and the natural world. During high school and college she discovered the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness, which became a lifelong magnet. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in English and Art, she lived in California for several years before moving back to Minnesota to teach special education and English.
Polly's interest in writing for children ranges from poetry, picture books, non-fiction, and middle grade novels. Her teaching spanned grades K-12 in settings from elementary to juvenile detention to teaching teen parents. From her teaching Polly learned that books are windows, glue, tunnels, and telescopes for children at any level of learning.
While visiting her cabin on Lake Vermilion, Polly noticed a disturbance in the glassy water of the lake, only to watch a deer swim out into the water, pursued by a wolf. After several attacks the exhausted wolf swam back to land 50 feet from where Polly stood, camera-free but electric with interest. It is this wolf who worked its way roundabout into Polly's winter book, Someone Walks By, The Wonders of Winter Wildlife. She says it was this wolf and a frozen frog who inspired her to illustrate and write this book.
With their children grown, and both retired from teaching, Polly and her husband Steve moved up north to live full time in the wild and beautiful lap of the BWCAW, outside of Ely, Minnesota, where the wolves howl and leave their tracks at the bottom of the driveway.
Polly's interest in writing for children ranges from poetry, picture books, non-fiction, and middle grade novels. Her teaching spanned grades K-12 in settings from elementary to juvenile detention to teaching teen parents. From her teaching Polly learned that books are windows, glue, tunnels, and telescopes for children at any level of learning.
While visiting her cabin on Lake Vermilion, Polly noticed a disturbance in the glassy water of the lake, only to watch a deer swim out into the water, pursued by a wolf. After several attacks the exhausted wolf swam back to land 50 feet from where Polly stood, camera-free but electric with interest. It is this wolf who worked its way roundabout into Polly's winter book, Someone Walks By, The Wonders of Winter Wildlife. She says it was this wolf and a frozen frog who inspired her to illustrate and write this book.
With their children grown, and both retired from teaching, Polly and her husband Steve moved up north to live full time in the wild and beautiful lap of the BWCAW, outside of Ely, Minnesota, where the wolves howl and leave their tracks at the bottom of the driveway.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 5, 2025
Wonderfully descriptive! Reminds me of growing up in Minnesota!
December 13, 2023
A book perfect for animal lovers (because of all the creatures you can spot in the illustrations) and star lovers. What a great tradition parties would be. I remember watching meteor showers with my grandparents and parents. I was delighted to find out that Indiana, where I live, has some great stargazing territory along our shore of Lake Michigan and we even have an "International Dark Sky Community," (as named by the Dark Sky organization) the town of Beverly Shores.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews