Nana Star Book Review

I had the pleasure of sharing the Nana Star book, CD and doll with a lovely girl, Charlotte from my church. Nana Star tells the story of a little girl who talks a walk in the woods finds a baby star looking for his Nana. She wants to help him but isn’t sure how, until a friendly tree gives her the idea to use a branch and hold the star up high in the air. The baby star can then search for his Nana. The girl is so happy to be able to help and be kind.

Charlotte’s Dad sat and read this touching book to her. I was able to watch how Charlotte was enthralled with the story and the colorful, vintage illustrations. She looked with wonder as her Dad turned the pages and even acted out the story with the plush doll. Charlotte waited with excitement to see if the star would find his Nana. She looked delighted with the story.

I know she concentrated and remembered it because later on she told me the story and used the little branch and star attached to the doll’s arms by elastic to act it out. Charlotte enjoyed the small CD with the Nana Star song. She danced a bit with the doll.

Charlotte told me that the doll was “nice because she’s soft” and not like her “other dolls at home”. She liked to hug her and hold her close. The book was “fun” because “the star found his Nana”.

I even played the CD for her while her Dad and I spoke. Charlotte stopped playing and listened for a while. She came over and told us, “that’s the story!”. The voice on the CD is very calming. I told Charlotte that if her Mommy or Daddy couldn’t read to her one time that maybe she could listen to the CD. She thought that was a great idea.

The book is hardcover with heavy pages not easily torn by young children. The inside cover holds a plastic pocket for the CD. The illustrations are very unique and keep a child’s attention. There is a spelling mistake in each book. When your child finds it, or you help your child find it, you can then send a letter and your child becomes a member of the Little Twinkle’s Club where they receive an autographed photo of the real Nana Star (see below).

Now for some background on this book. Nana Star is written by Elizabeth Sills and Elena Patrice, two sisters who grew up listening to the stories of their grandmother. They wanted the books they wrote to encompass the values they learned from her, kindness, sharing, and being charitable. Their mother is the illustrator Linda Saker, who draws the characters based on her mother’s magical stories.

The author’s grandmother is the real Nana Star, Elizabeth Owens, who wanted to keep in touch with her grandson Vance when he moved away.  She sent him handmade cards and drew pictures of characters they came to know and love. Some of them are right here in this book.

The Nana Star Foundation gives a portion of all book and toy sales to terminally ill children and to under-funded schools. They also give their books and toys to schools, hospitals and libraries and offer a way for you to donate too.

I talked to Charlotte about the Foundation by showing her the photos of the authors and explaining that they wanted to teach about sharing. I asked her if would be willing to share the book with the other children in our church after she takes it home for a while. She was willing to do that with the book only! She said that it would be “nice to share” the book with her friends. Nana Star is already helping to teach one little girl about the value of sharing. The positive messages will continue to reach new children as the book is passed along.