For All the Stars Across the Sky

In a tender bedtime ritual, a parent elicits wishes from her little one, sparking imaginary journeys together before it’s time to sleep.

For all the stars across the sky,
Big and little and bright,
Here’s a wish from me to you,
Before we say good night.

“I wish that we could fly like birds!” says Luna when Mama asks her for her nightly wish. So off they go on an imaginary flight together, past mountaintops and fields and over the deep blue sea. Then Luna wishes they could swim like fish through the corals, shrink as small as ants on the vines, and grow as big as giants, stomping down the lane that leads to Luna’s very own bed. In a quintessential bedtime story, gentle art and a lyrical text take listeners on lighthearted flights of fancy and offer an ode to the unconditional love between parent and child.

Karl Newson writes for the children’s book blog The Mudwaffler and contributes to The Creative Attic, an online publication of illustrated poetry. For All the Stars Across the Sky is his debut picture book. He lives in England.

Chiaki Okada has illustrated books by authors from around the world, including her husband, Ko Okada. For All the Stars Across the Sky is her first picture book published in English. She lives in Japan.