Stars, by Mary Lyn Ray and Marla Frazee.
What a beautiful, beautiful book. No names are on the front cover.
None. Which made me really want to explore this book and look for the answer to ‘why’ that decision was made?
The jacket features just the word, “Stars” brighter at the top and melting into tiny star shapes falling to earth and landing in a little girls’ basket. Not that every single person shouldn’t be able to identify Marla Frazee’s distinct and unique style of artwork, so she really doesn’t need her name on the jacket. But their names aren’t there just because they’re so well known and don’t have to be. No, their names aren’t there so that there is nothing to interfere with the beauty and magic of that image, of that singular word. This is a story told simply with word, and richly with image about just that… the awesome magic of a simple star.
The book is tall and vertical, stretching skyward. The shape and size of the book is always an intentional decision by the illustrator and designer.
End pages… soft, billowy, clouds.
Open to the title page and you still won’t find the bold, graphic credits one would expect. The names are here, and so is the title, but they are camouflaged in those same heavenly clouds. This book looks and feels like such a team effort. Even in the credits, it isn’t “illustrated by” Marla Frazee, it is “By Mary Lyn Ray and Marla Frazee”, I like that. Credit is also given to Ann Bobco as the book designer.
There’s no denying that Marla Frazee draws beautifully. But what makes Marla Frazee exceptionally brilliant is that she’s such a fantastic illustrator. I’m in awe of her page layouts. She seams together various designs in this book by adding pauses and breaks in the absolute perfect spots. Small spots, stacked page spreads, words to their own page, full page on the left, full page on the right— Gosh she’s good. And I’m swept along by the cadence of the words and gentle action of the images. These build and build until we are gifted with swirling vast spreads, stars… more characters… the sharing and the power of stars.
The back end pages, which mirror the front cloud end pages, are now beautiful, vast, twinkling… stars.
Mary Lyn Ray and Marla Frazee are fantastic and accomplished at their crafts and have written and illustrated an absolutely lovely picture book. But it is also a spectacularly designed picture book. From the lack of copy on the front and back, to the hand written text bending from page to page inside, it’s the subtle attention to detail— to design— that knocks this book out of the park.
Shall we say… right to the stars?
Thank you!
Lovely–star quality!
Hi Linda! Thank you for your comment and visiting the blog!
Hi, Beautiful books. Is Beach Lane Books the co. that belongs to Emma Walton Hamilton?
Hi Michelle! Beach Lane Books is an imprint of Simon & Schuster and is headed by Allyn Johnston. She and Marla have done several gorgeous books together including ALL THE WORLD, which was written by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee and received a Caldecott Honor. And Ann Bobco, the book designer for Stars, is Executive Art Director at Simon & Schuster. Hope that helps? Thank you so much for visiting our blog!
What a lovely book!
It is beautiful, thanks for visiting, Mary Jane!
I give the design of this book a gold star!
Yay! Thanks, Tammi!
Beautiful! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
Hi Katey, thanks for your comment. It is a lovely book I hope you enjoy it!
Just GORGEOUS – headed over to request it from my library!
Good to see you, Joanne! Hope you like the book 🙂
Oh what a lovely book! A favorite!!
I’m so glad you think so, too! Thanks for visiting!
Based on the preview you have provided, the illustrations have an innocent quality to them – like children. I love the page with the children inside a hollow tree that is encased with stars. It’s as if the stars want to hear the story too! I look forward to reading it, as well.
I adore Marla Frazee’s nostalgic style and it fits perfectly with this book. Lori, your observations are lovely— I’m sure you’ll enjoy Stars!
I had not seen this book. It is now on my list. Thanks!
Terrific, Kathy! Thank you for visiting and I hope you love the book!
What a gorgeous book!
Yes, what a talented duo and gorgeous book!
Thanks for the comments, it sure is a lovely book!
This is a must have. Thank you for sharing, Jennifer. 🙂
You’re very welcome, Robyn! Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
This is such a favorite in our house! Lovely post.
I’m glad to hear that, Corinnna! Thank you!
Beautiful work. I need this book!
It is definitely one that I enjoy looking at and reading over and over. Hope you do, too, Shaelyn!
What a beauty! Without even reading STARS – I already know it has that “aww” factor. Wonderful post. Thank you, Jennifer!
Nice to ‘see’ you, Liz. The ‘awwww’ factor— it does indeed! And in a smart, thoughtful, clever way. I hope you enjoy it!
Onto my list it goes. Thank you.
You’re more than welcome, Susan! Hope you love it!
I do love this book. Thanks for the reminder. I think I will pull it out and read it again tonight.
I’m glad that you’re a fan of the book, too, Rosi. Thank you so much for visiting our blog!
Wow. I’ve never seen this book, but now I really want to!
I hope you like it, Rebecca! Thanks for stopping by Picture Book Builders!
One of my most favorite books!
Hi Nicole! Thanks for visiting! Glad you love it, too!
I am anxious to look at this book from beginning to end….lovely idea and illustrations.
I have GOT to go check out this book! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Judith and Suzanne, hope you love it!