This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Sometimes the biggest dreams belong to the smallest creatures. In The Biggest and Brightest Star in the Sea, written and illustrated by Chelsea Paulus, young readers are introduced to a determined sea star named Bellamy, with a dream that’s truly out of this world. He sees how special stars in the night sky are, and he wants to be unique like them. He devises some ideas to accomplish this wish. Along the way, he tries all sorts of plans, helps his underwater neighbors, and in the end, he discovers what it truly means to stand out. Through gentle storytelling and lively adventures, Bellamy discovers what it truly means to be a star.
Have you ever wished you could touch the stars? I know I have. In The Biggest and Brightest Star in the Sea, Bellamy builds upon that question, except instead of just wanting to touch the stars, he wanted to be a star. As an educator, I appreciate how this story reinforces that being special comes from within and is already there. It’s an excellent story for class discussions on why each student is special or what talent each student has. Additionally, I think it can be expanded with a class bulletin board titled Unique Stars in Our Sea, with sea star shapes on which each student has written what makes them special. This hands-on extension strengthens understanding and encourages children to celebrate individuality, kindness, and imagination in a joyful, fun, and creative way. The book’s cheerful illustrations, created by the author herself, bring Bellamy and his ocean friends to life. It’s the kind of story that stays with young readers long after the final page.
