There aren't too many picture books or stories for children that deal so well with the issues of grieving and healing and the questions about life after someone you love has died. This book gently tells, in story and fable, the healing words of how to carry on and what it is to live, and why we need to remember. Any parent or child old enough to understand death can take comfort and healing from this story. I wish I had a hundred copies of this to give to all of my friends who have lost someone. In the traditions of ANNIE AND THE OLD ONE, and THE TENTH GOOD THING ABOUT BARNEY this is another work that deals with death, life, and those who must deal with the questions that surround them.

I believe this book was incredibly well done. The story is great and the illustrations INCREDIBLE. Barry Moser did an incredible job with the illustrations. I really do recommend this book to everyone.

What a wonder is "When Stories Fell Like Shooting Stars"! I stumbled across this book 18 months ago, while searching for stories that would engage both my self and my then four-year-old daughter. The story echoes the plurality of our times -- particularly in light of September 11 -- but is rendered in such a simple and evocative voice as to leave adult and child alike dazed by its redolent charm. And the illustrations: daring, bold, dark -- and yet filled with a suprisingly luminous light, are like none I've ever seen in a "children's" book. Waste not a moment, sojouner, and purchase "When Stories Fell Like Shooting Stars"! You won't be sorry.

This book strengthens children's conflict-resolution skills by demonstrating the consequences of decisions. By using stories that start out similarly, the author skillfully weaves the message of peace and shows that it's better to share things than to fight over them. The message is very universal and doesn't target any one group of people. In fact, the characters in the story are animals. The author carefully picked certain animals with negative or positive connotations to be the main characters. The fox is still sneaky, cunning, and selfish and the bear is wise and protective. The pictures are very intrically done, with an emphasis on the warm colors (red, orange, and yellow) in one story and an emphasis on cool colors (blue, purple, green) in the other. The book is also rich in metaphors and similes, which are new and creative, not overdone sayings. This author did a great job with this story. I loved the book so much that I wrote a unit plan for it! The only thing I'm disappointed with is the advertising and distribution of the story. I had never heard of it until I chanced upon it in the public library. All the teachers and school librarians that I talked to were not familiar with the book. With better advertisement and distribution, this book might have been a best seller. Although it targets children, this book is written for us all.

My niece is 2 years old, and she absolutely adores this story! She begs to have it read to her at least two or three times each day. The words are simple enough for her to understand (at least for the most part), and she loves to listen as Kate learns that "if she can think them [the monsters and other scary things] up, then she can think them out." I wholeheartedly recommend this book for others who have little ones who love to be read to!

Shirley's new baby brother is indeed wonderful - depending on who
is asked. Shirley's internal dialogue contrasts sharply with all the adulation heaped on the baby by the surrounding adults.
Her dialogues run heavily to prunes that drool - until a wise baby-sitter arrives.

While charmed by Shirley's tap-dancing, she seemingly doesn't find Stanley of much interest. She prefers to settle down with a "thick book" and leaves Stanley's care to his big sister.

Older siblings will love this book for accurately depicting new
babies - baby hippos, that is. Parents will love it for its
subtle humor. All will find the resolution completely satisfying. This book, with Degen's funny illustrations that
both children and adults can peruse with pleasure, is destined to be read to shreds.

This is a good Valentine's story. There are lots of sentences. Since it's inexpensive, it would be a good gift for children in a reading program. Our kids enjoyed reading it.