On the Night of the Shooting Star

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.”

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.