Status
Available
Call number
Description
Sam is full of questions on his first trip to the seashore and his older sister has an answer for each one, except whether or not Sam will ever come into the water.
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Groundwood Books (2010), Edition: Reprint, 32 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member conuly
Stella and her brother Sam are visiting the sea. It's his first time, and he has a lot of questions, like so many children we know.
Now, Stella seems to live in a genre I like to call "Children don't need parents". There are no parents in this book - and if you look closely, the only other people we
The real fun isn't in the Q&A session, which, no matter how cute, is just typical preschooler stuff (and we can all think of our own cuter stories to top it because our own cuties are the bestest, right?), but in the personalities. Without telling us explicitly, without making a big deal of it, we can see the huge difference in Sam's caution and curiosity with Stella's quite literal dive-right-in attitude. It makes them come alive as real-real people, and it's hard to do that in a short picture book.
Apparently there's a whole series of these books. I have every intention of getting more of them.
Now, Stella seems to live in a genre I like to call "Children don't need parents". There are no parents in this book - and if you look closely, the only other people we
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see (and we don't see many of them, it's a very uncrowded beach) are children as well. (Don't overthink it, it'll only give you a headache and you won't be able to enjoy the book.) So the task of answering Sam's questions falls to her. And so she does answer them, with amazing patience, however fancifully. (I particularly liked reading that starfish are shooting stars that fell in love with the sea.)The real fun isn't in the Q&A session, which, no matter how cute, is just typical preschooler stuff (and we can all think of our own cuter stories to top it because our own cuties are the bestest, right?), but in the personalities. Without telling us explicitly, without making a big deal of it, we can see the huge difference in Sam's caution and curiosity with Stella's quite literal dive-right-in attitude. It makes them come alive as real-real people, and it's hard to do that in a short picture book.
Apparently there's a whole series of these books. I have every intention of getting more of them.
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LibraryThing member jianlittle
Very clever bit of writing with a ton of imagination. Book is not meant to be factual and this might take some explaining due to the nature of the audience for which it is written.
LibraryThing member LisaWeaver
A cute read for any child and adult. The illustrations are adorable and original.
Can be an interactive read with kids, when Stella is asking questions, they can answer.
Can be an interactive read with kids, when Stella is asking questions, they can answer.
LibraryThing member allawishus
Stella and Sam are at the beach; Stella is enthusiastic about all things ocean: sealife, shells, swimming, etc. Sam is hesitant and hangs back, asking Stella questions - if she doesn't know the answer, she makes it up, ha ha. (Sounds like my mother.) Eventually, Sam is satisfied with Stella's
There are many many lovely things about this title: the illustrations are really gorgeous watercolors with some mixed-media collage-type stuff thrown in occasionally. Stella and Sam are adorable cartoony tykes with round bellies and heads and pug noses. Stella's red hair is a shocking splash in the pastel ocean - the character herself matches her hair: exuberant, vibrant, etc. Sam is hesitant and nervous, but it's cute in the face of Stella's overwhelming surity. This is a really sweet and beautiful book. Loved it!
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beachly knowledge and excitedly decides to join her in the water. There are many many lovely things about this title: the illustrations are really gorgeous watercolors with some mixed-media collage-type stuff thrown in occasionally. Stella and Sam are adorable cartoony tykes with round bellies and heads and pug noses. Stella's red hair is a shocking splash in the pastel ocean - the character herself matches her hair: exuberant, vibrant, etc. Sam is hesitant and nervous, but it's cute in the face of Stella's overwhelming surity. This is a really sweet and beautiful book. Loved it!
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LibraryThing member kellyc2
This was a great picture book with a fascinating story line. It really showed the relationship between siblings and their differences but overall they have this curiosity, trust and adventurous side of them to end up finally in the ocean together.
LibraryThing member rachelg2
I find myself drawn into Stella and Sam's relationship as brother and sister. I am the oldest of four and have two sisters and one brother. Being the oldest I have always been asked a million questions about what the next chapter of my siblings life holds. The way that Sam continuously questions
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Stella reminds me of my brother and myself and how everything is a question and an adventure and how fear can be conquered. Also growing up in New Jersey close to the shore, I was raised on salty water and sand between my toes. The shore line is my home away form home but I understand Sam's fears of the unknown. The ocean is huge and scary and murky and cold and salty, and always changing. The best way to get over that fear is to do what he did which is head on in, and jump! Show Less
LibraryThing member msandberg
It's Sam's first time at the ocean and big sister Stella has all of the answers to his wonderful questions ("Does a catfish purr?"). Sam's inquiry is wonderful, Stella's big sister role is well-played, and their final splash in the water is most welcomed. Accompanied by excellent watercolors.
LibraryThing member sarahnesmith
This book is wonderfully illustrated with the brightest of colors. Stella's enthusiasm and love of the sea brightened my morning and made me excited for life. Her brother Sam reminded me of my little sister, who is shy at first but eventually comes around.
LibraryThing member SDando
This was a cute book. I like how Stella has an answer for almost every one of Sam's questions, even if it's not really correct. I think kids reading this will relate well to Sam's curiosity about new things. I also really like Stella's enthusiasm, and how much she wants to share her joy with Sam.
LibraryThing member eghirsch
The book was illustrated with beautiful watercolor pictures and told a story about Stella and her brother Sam who had never been to the ocean before. I really enjoyed the story and the fun adventurous story of Stella and Sam.
LibraryThing member missbrandysue
Stella and Sam are at the beach. Sam is asking his sister a lot of questions but can't seem to be brave enough to get into the water. After asking question and question he finally decides to go play in the water.
It's a cute story for siblings, questioning, and I think children will enjoy the
It's a cute story for siblings, questioning, and I think children will enjoy the
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playfulness of Sam not getting into the water. This book could fit into lots of great tags/lessons. Show Less
LibraryThing member Caratsarsis
I loved this story. I loved Max's wondering questions and Stella's imaginative answers. Both characters are fun and spunky. Max is cautious, afraid and anxious while Stella is eager, bubbly, and take risks. It is a simple story but the author uses discriptions and the illustrations are amazing. I
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wanted to go to the beach with them! Show Less
LibraryThing member amandapaige13
I really enjoyed this book. I think it is fun, silly, creative and it realates to all kids who question everything when experiencing something new.
LibraryThing member NicoleHandorf
Stella and her little brother went to the beach. At first her little brother was afraid to get in the water. He asked Stella a lot of questions. Finally at the end of the book he got into the ocean.
LibraryThing member pmacsmith
I love Stella and Sam and their view of the world. Stella's patience is endless (mostly) as she explains the world as she knows it to her younger brother Sam. I enjoy Gay's whimsical writing and illustrations. These are wonderful books for children.
LibraryThing member kylak
A great way for a child and an adult to relate to their creative, adventurous side!
LibraryThing member rreding
Very fun and creative story with great illustrations.
LibraryThing member InDreamsAwake
I love the pictures in this book and, living in the midwest, it reminds me of our vacations at the beach.
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
The first in a series of picture-books detailing the adventures of siblings Stella and Sam, Stella, Star of the Sea follows the two children as they spend a day at the shore. Lively, enthusiastic Stella is anxious to introduce her little brother to the wonders of the sea, but timid Sam finds it all
An engaging brother-sister tale, enhanced by charming watercolor illustrations, this lovely little book is also an exuberant tribute to the delights of a summer day at the beach. Gay's palette is bright, but never garish, and her figures have a cartoon-like oddness (very thin legs, and rather "blobby" torsos) that is somehow quite endearing. I can't say that I enjoyed Stella, Star of the Sea quite as much as some of my friends, but I can definitely see the appeal, and plan to look for other titles in this series, when the opportunity presents itself.
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rather overwhelming. It's so big, and so noisy! His seemingly endless series of questions - "Are there any sea monsters? Where do starfish come from?" - are answered in an imaginative and subtly reassuring way by Stella, until she finally asks a question of her own...An engaging brother-sister tale, enhanced by charming watercolor illustrations, this lovely little book is also an exuberant tribute to the delights of a summer day at the beach. Gay's palette is bright, but never garish, and her figures have a cartoon-like oddness (very thin legs, and rather "blobby" torsos) that is somehow quite endearing. I can't say that I enjoyed Stella, Star of the Sea quite as much as some of my friends, but I can definitely see the appeal, and plan to look for other titles in this series, when the opportunity presents itself.
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LibraryThing member KelseyAnnB
This was a very cute book. It reminded me of going to the beach when I was a kid with all of my cousin. We used to play in the ocean for hours and dig for oysters when the tide went out. Nothing quite compares to the magic of the beach when you're a child--and Stella and Sam are just beginning to
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uncover all it has to offer. Show Less
LibraryThing member ACKrauss
Stella and Sam visit the beach. Sam has never been before and has many questions to ask.
Ages: 3-5
Source: Pierce County Library
Ages: 3-5
Source: Pierce County Library
LibraryThing member LynnesHarpe
Stella takes her little brother to the ocean for the first time, proclaiming that she's an expert on all things ocean. When her timid brother asks questions about the things he sees, she responds with various made up & fantasy-filled answers. Eventually, she stops trying to make up answers for
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things she doesn't know and settles on trying to convince him to swim with her. Show Less
LibraryThing member FrounfelterShelbie
Little girl takes her brother to the beach with her because it is her favorite place and she wants to show him. She answers all of his questions with what she thinks is the real answer behind each question, by the end she gets upset because she realizes that she may not be right. Then they play and
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have fun together by the end of the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member justicelove
stella knows all of the secrets at the beach and tells her brother
LibraryThing member sarah.vargo
Stella is excited to go to the sea and is wondering how her baby brother will like it.
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
32 p.; 8.75 inches
ISBN
0888999925 / 9780888999924
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