On the Night of the Shooting Star - by Amy Hest (Hardcover)

About the Book

For solitary neighbors Bunny and Dog, who live on opposite sides of a fence, reticence overcomes curiosity until something extraordinary happens to nudge them into friendship. Full color.

Book Synopsis

For solitary neighbors Bunny and Dog, reticence overcomes curiosity -- until something extraordinary happens to nudge them into friendship.

Bunny and Dog live on opposite sides of the fence. Every morning, first thing, Bunny looks through the fence and the tall grass at Dog. And every morning, first thing, Dog looks through the fence and the tall grass at Bunny. Yet neither one says hello. Or hi. Or nice to see you today. But then, one night, Bunny and Dog both see a shooting star zip through the sky. Could this shared moment be the start of a friendship? From storyteller Amy Hest and artist Jenni Desmond comes a lyrical, touching, and timely picture book about finding the courage to say "I could be your friend."

Review Quotes

Hest's spare, quiet text, with just enough well-chosen details to set the scenes and differentiate clearly between Dog and Bunny, leaves plenty of room for the illustrator's imagination...While many stories about making friends begin with a lonely characters yearning for companionship, this picture book introduces two who are content to be alone, but find that friendship brings them great happiness. A wonderful read-aloud choice.
--Booklist (starred review)

Desmond's mixed-media illustrations juxtapose simply rendered animals, charming household details, and lovely full-bleed expanses of starry sky and moonlit lake. A gentle, empathetic tribute to the value of reaching out to welcome a new friend.
--Kirkus Reviews

Enchantingly fresh, this lighthearted tale of friendship deserves a place in every picture book collection. Pair with Beth Ferry's Stick and Stone or Cynthia Rylant's "Mr. Putter and Tabby" series for stories that inspire kindness and neighborliness and that value the warm comfort of finding a friend.
--School Library Journal

The appealing watercolor illustrations create a welcoming world and two lovable characters.
--Providence Journal

About the Author

Amy Hest is the author of many beloved picture books, including Kiss Good Night, illustrated by Anita Jeram; Charley's First Night and When Charley Met Grampa, both illustrated by Helen Oxenbury; and Are You Sure, Mother Bear?, illustrated by Lauren Tobia. Amy Hest lives in New York City.

Jenni Desmond is the creator of several picture books, including The Polar Bear, The Blue Whale, and Red Cat Blue Cat. She is also the illustrator of The First Slodge by Jeanne Willis. Jenni Desmond lives in London.