Walker Books Australia

January 2020

ISBN: 9781536200959
Imprint: Candlewick
Australian RRP: $24.99
New Zealand RRP: $27.99

I had the very great pleasure of meeting Frané at the 2019 Voices on the Coast Literature Festival (thank you again for the lovely sketch of Duffy!) and she is such a wonderful and warm, not to mention talented creator.

While arguably it is for her Australian themed books that (for most readers) she is best known, this one focuses on North America – the USA and Canada – and connects these by means of the Milky Way,  the splendour of which is something which we can all appreciate.

Each vibrant double spread focuses on one location and includes special little facts, both scientific and cultural, that will fascinate readers making this a very beautiful factional offering. It concludes with another spread which gives some fabulous astronomical information about our galaxy.

I absolutely adore this book – Frané’s illustrations alone are always such a joy – and there is no doubt in my mind that young readers will feel likewise. The subject matter is one which is somewhat neglected in our collections for kiddos but is certainly one that deserves to be better known.

Beneath a blanket of stars, crowds cheer at Little League games, campers share fireside stories, bull-riders hold on tight, and sled dogs race through falling snow — all under the Milky Way. Vivid artwork, engaging verses, and facts about the United States and Canada will captivate readers of all ages in a joyful offering from Frané Lessac.

Highly recommended for readers from around 7 years upwards.