Summary: An artist starts by drawing a simple star. It is perfect. Then the star requests that there also be a sun. The sun asks the artist to draw a tree. Next, there is a man and a woman drawn on the page. The story continues in this manner, building upon the last addition to the scene until it is complete.
APA Reference:
Carle, E. (1992). Draw me a star. New York, NY: Philomel Books.
Impressions:
I love the simplicity of this book. It is wonderful for younger audiences due to its straightforward message and predictable text supported by colorful and delightful illustrations.
This can easily become a favorite among emergent readers, as many Eric Carle books have, for the reasons stated above. In addition, young readers may also enjoy the idea of starting small and building up to something grand. The end of the book shows the artist and a star flying across the night sky after all had been created.
There are undertones of relationships throughout this story. It is simple and effective. Stars and the sun are both in outer space but seem to be opposites (although they truly are not) because people see them at different times of day. The sun is what gives light and life to our planet and it starts with plants and trees. So the sun requests a tree in which to give sunlight. The tree requests a couple in order to give its fruit. The couple request a house in which to live, etc.
Relationships and dependences abound in this book. Toward the end of the story, all of the artist’s creations are living in harmony, giving and receiving.
I think its a wonderfully written story that is open-ended enough to let the reader make many decisions on how they would like to perceive the book and its message.
Professional Review:
Booklist (Vol. 89, No. 2 (September 15, 1992))
Ages 4-7. In this large, brightly illustrated picture book, an artist draws a star, which asks him to draw a sun, which asks him to draw a tree, which asks him to draw a man and a woman . . . and so on. There are biblical overtones, with the man and woman next to the tree looking like Adam and Eve before the Fall, but within a few pages the house is built, the tulips are up, and the scene becomes modern, from houseplants to clothes. Soon, the night asks the artist to draw a moon, and the moon requests a star, bringing the text full circle. Then there’s a switch. A drawing lesson demonstrates how to make an eight-pointed star. Next, the artist’s star carries him, floating Chagall-like, across the dark, star-spangled sky. On the last page, Carle addresses a letter to his “Friends” describing how his grandmother showed him how to draw a star while reciting a nonsense rhyme, and how his trip on a shooting star inspired this book. The illustrations, in Carle’s signature style, are collages of painted, torn, and cut papers. A free-spirited, original offering.
Library Uses:
Draw Me a Star could be used for basic instruction purposes with younger readers who desire a predictable and familiar text. Many of the illustrations of this book may remind students of other Eric Carle creations and may prompt an illustrator study.
Librarians can also use this book to introduce and reinforce the idea of harmony among animals, plants, and humans. This could lead to discussions of over-use of resources, over-population, and human impact on Earth.
Spring 2014 - SLIS 5420 