Cover Image: Lore of the Stars

Lore of the Stars

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Member Reviews

This book was beautifully written and the illustrations were warm and colourful. I loved reading all the stories and each one came with its amusing elements. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading books about folklore and getting lost in different cultures and beliefs.

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Another gorgeous volume to accompany Lore of the Wild.
I love the depth that goes into these books as well as the beautiful illustrations that just totally enhance the reading experience

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This is the third book of the Lore series and follows Lore of the Wild: Folklore and Wisdom from Nature* and Lore of the Land: Folklore and Wisdom from the Wild Earth*. All books of the Lore series have been written by Claire Cock-Starkey.

For millennia, humans have looked to the heavens to explain the world around and above them. The myths, folktales, and lore that have arisen from these wonderings are as mysterious as are varied. The Lore of the Stars is filled with mystery and beautifully illustrated pages that will take readers big and small deep into the skies above amongst the stars.

Book Review
At Curating Edits we are constantly falling in love with books published by Quarto Kids and Wide Eyed Editions, as is the Lore of the Stars by Claire Cock-Starkey. The illustrations are so vibrant you are not only reading a beautiful book full of folklore and wisdom, but you are looking at an art piece.

Every chapter, of this book, is divided into six and is full of beauty and mystery. From The Sky, The Sun, The Moon, The Stars, Planets, Comets and Shooting Stars, and The Cosmos. It is full of magic and interest to learn about the traditional beliefs that existed years before us. This book is perfect for children of varied ages from 6 to 12 if you’re looking to add this book to your family’s book collection.

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Lore of the Stars: Folklore & Wisdom from the Skies Above is superbly curated collection of tales, folklore, and myths connected to the sky, sun, moon, stars, planets, comets, and beyond. The illustrations by Hannah Bess Ross are beyond gorgeous and they are the perfect accompaniment to the author’s writing.

Lore of the Stars is comprised of six sections, each focusing on a different aspect of celestial myths, tales, and stories. The book is thoughtfully laid out in a way that follows a distinct rhythm. Each section begins with a myth or folktale. The section topic is then further explored through succinct passages featuring connections to folklore from countries and cultures from around the world. The passages touch on topics related to natural phenomenons, gods, goddess, and more. Well suited towards children ages 6-12, Lore of the Stars will engage young audiences and pique their curiosity about the skies above.

Kind thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this beautifully written and wonderfully illustrated book.

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This is a fantastic look at folklore and mythology surrounding the cosmos and all things celestial. From constellations to solar eclipses, the reader will learn how ancient peoples and other cultures have looked to the skies and invented stories to explain what they saw there. Highlighted by gorgeous illustrations by Hannah Bess Ross, this book is sure to delight all who read it.

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This is such an adorable and whimsical children’s book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading along each page and admiring the stunning artwork that went along with each of the stories. Although I don’t have kids myself, I did enjoy books like this growing up and I would definitely have been ecstatic if I had been gifted a book like this when I was younger. I enjoyed reading about all the different folklore and mythology from around the world divided into sections that include the sky, sun, moon, stars, plants and the cosmos.

I highly recommend this book to anyone (adults and children) who are interested in folklore and mythology that is laid out in a beautiful and captivating way.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this Arc.

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I loved this book! The illustrations were great and my nephews enjoyed the stories. I will buy the physical copy as soon as I can.

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Book Review: Lore of the Stars by Claire Cock-Starkey

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars

Indulge in the awe-inspiring beauty of the skies with this enchanting treasury of folklore. Lore of the Stars by Claire Cock-Starkey invites readers to embark on a captivating exploration of time and space, delving into the myths, folktales, and legends that have evolved from humanity’s enduring fascination with the celestial realm.

Divided into six chapters, each dedicated to a different aspect of the celestial realm, this book engages readers aged 6-12 years old, providing them with a beautifully illustrated and engaging format to delve into the mysteries of our universe.

In Lore of the Stars, readers will uncover the secrets of ancient practices such as augury, where people used to read the future in the flight of birds. They will discover how constellations were once believed to be mythological beings set in the sky and how eclipses were seen as demonic omens. From stories explaining the birth of the Milky Way to the beings and deities said to govern the worlds above, this book invites readers to explore the myriad answers to our most ancient questions.

Thoughts on the Book

First off, let’s talk about that cover! Spectacular is an understatement. The bright and colorful design immediately draws you in, hinting at the visual feast that awaits inside. And indeed, Lore of the Stars delivers on its promise.

The illustrations throughout the book are simply breathtaking. Each page is adorned with gorgeous, vibrant artwork that brings the stories and concepts to life. The combination of factual information and richly told mythology stories makes reading through this book a truly immersive and visual delight.

What sets this book apart is its careful layout and organization. The chapters are thoughtfully divided, allowing readers to easily navigate through different aspects of celestial folklore. Whether you’re interested in learning about the sky, the sun, the moon, stars, planets, comets, or shooting stars - Lore of the Stars has something for everyone.

This book is not only entertaining but also educational. It seamlessly weaves together scientific knowledge with ancient beliefs, offering readers a holistic understanding of humanity’s relationship with the cosmos. It is a treasure trove of information that will captivate both young and curious minds.

Lore of the Stars would make an excellent gift for a budding historian or astronomer. It is also a perfect addition to the other books in the “Nature’s Folklore Series.” With its engaging storytelling and visually stunning illustrations, this book is sure to inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity in readers of all ages.

In conclusion, Lore of the Stars by Claire Cock-Starkey is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. With its captivating artwork, well-researched content, and expertly crafted storytelling, this book offers a magical journey through time and space. Prepare to be enchanted by the wonders that lie above us all.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

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Children's understanding of many cultures will be enriched by the lively drawings and concise passages in this book, which explores myths, stories, and folk beliefs about the sun, stars, and weather phenomena from all around the world and throughout time. Day-night cycles, eclipses, moon phases, rainbows, and other phenomena have scientific justifications. The origin myths of the universe from various cultures are also investigated. A glossary aids young readers in learning new words that are specific to a field of study or cultural setting. To make it easier for you to find certain information again, a table of contents and an index are also provided.

#childrensnonfiction #sciandfantasy

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A fantastic book with vibrant illustrations and short passages that will enrich children's understanding of different cultures from around the world through myths, legends, and folk beliefs related to the sun, stars, and weather phenomena from around the globe and through the ages. Scientific explanations for day-night cycle, eclipses, moon phases, rainbows, and more. Creation stories of the cosmos from several cultures are also explored. A glossary helps young readers learn new terms specific to the science or cultural context. A table of contents and index are also included to help you find specific information again. A rich resource for private, classroom, or school collections for readers ages 6-14.

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Thank you to #Netgalley and #Quarto books for granting me access to this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Lore of the Stars is a beautifully compiled book that introduces children to the folklore of the heavens. Each page covers elements of different cultural beliefs and mythology of the stars, sky, moon, cosmos etc. It is targeted at 6-12 year olds but I would suggest caution if you have a particularly sensitive child as some of the imagery could be frightening.
It is a stunningly illustrated work of art by Hannah Bess Ross. I would have loved to have this when my children were younger, as the bedtime discussions would have been incredible.

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This book is full of myths and lore, accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Having read this via PDF, I can imagine that the physical copy would be a wonderful book to own.

I knew some of the stories told but a lot of them were new to me and were so interesting to read. As with other books I have read, I really enjoy when authors showcase other cultures, as it allows me to learn so much!

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

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A visually stunning book covering a lot more than I expected including, sky, weather & moon deities and gods and goddesses. Lots of culture and mythology with ancient stories of the stars and moon 🌚

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First, lets start with the absolutely beautiful illustrations throughout this book. They are breathtaking and add so much to the information. I love the style of interspersing facts and stories used in Lore of the Stars. It is great to either break up the content or read it in sections. I also appreciated the way the author broke the topics into 4 parts. It helped keep a lot of new information clear and let us intentionally jump around some as well when my kids asked to learn more about something that caught their eye. The moon lore was one of my favorite sections in the book but we loved it all. As all the great non-fiction books do (this one now falls in that category), there is a glossary and index at the back of the book as well. The index was particularly helpful as it listed countries that were mentioned, allowing you to look at the lore from one area if you wished.

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A very welcome return to my attention for this series, which looks at the world's thinking on a particular theme – in this instance, what we see when we look up to the skies and stars. Each major chunk gets a two-paged story from somewhere around the world (starting here in Nigeria, with how the sky got miffed at being eaten and taken for granted just too much), and we're then into double-paged spreads concerning specific things – aurorae, the moon, etc. And while these pages only bear short chunks of text in amongst their full-colour illustration, they do show the scope of this off very well. Not only do rainbows end at pots of treasure under the care of leprechauns, in amongst the five or six factoids they like everything else get, we have an Albanian goddess I'd not heard of, and what rainbows mean to her.

Oh, and we also get the science of things such as rainbows and eclipses, too – just so we know to split truth from mythology. And no, while that doesn't carry on with the creation of the sun, it's small details like that that make the success of this book – delving deeply into the riches of the world's lore, and coming up with the briefest of nuggets every time. And that's not just lore as the in major, well-known legends, but folkloric stuff such as what happens in Mexico if they sleep feet towards the dawn, what the Dutch think rain and sun simultaneously mean, etc. Knowledge of this is never going to be life-changing, but it's going to be fun witnessing it as presented here.

I'm just not sure why the making of the cosmos comes last – surely it was the other end of things? Either way, a strong four stars.

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"Lore of the Stars" offers concise and engaging tidbits of information, exploring diverse cultural beliefs and stories. Amidst these delightful snippets, you'll also find longer narratives that delve deeper into the tales of specific cultures. The book boasts an adorable art style, skillfully depicting accurate details without venturing into the realm of unsettling.

What sets this book apart is its clever organization. Young readers will appreciate the ease with which they can navigate to their favorite sections after a few readings, thanks to its refreshing layout. Each segment is brimming with captivating information, ensuring that young minds remain fully engrossed.

The overall format of the book is a triumph, harmonizing content and presentation seamlessly. "Lore of the Stars" is a celestial journey that will both educate and enchant young readers, making it an ideal addition to any bookshelf.

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Lore of the Stars by Claire Cock-Starkey is filled with Folklore and Wisdom from the Skies Above. This fun picture book is divided into six chapters, The Sky, The Sun, The Moon, Stars, Planets, Comets, & Shooting Stars, The Cosmos. Each has its own unique illustrations and information giving meaning to the different types of weather, the birth of the Milky Way, and much more. I love the illustrations detailing each page, if anyone reads this book please take a moment and admire the work that was done.

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This book was enchanting! Captivating from the start. I love the in-detail stories to start off each different element talked about. This book is beautiful and holds so many cultures folklore. This is defiantly something I would read to my children. Educational and entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Loved the book so much!!

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What a gorgeous book! Although it’s a children’s book about folklore around the world, even as an adult it’s interesting to read. The illustrations are beautiful and the information is given in a couple of stories (at the beginning of each chapter) the rest of the information is in small bite-sized chunks on each page.

I would definitely recommend this to my friends with kids and even consider buying the physical copy to read with my own children someday.

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This is a 3 1/2 stars for me. It has a full story and then goes into small blurbs about different folklore from different cultures. I’m not a huge fan of the illustrations. Some pages are beautiful! But there’s a lot happening everywhere. This is a very cool book and definitely worth a look.

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