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Oliver Jeffers
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How to Catch a Star Hardcover – Picture Book, June 3, 2004

by Oliver Jeffers (Author, Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,372 ratings
Teachers' pick
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From the illustrator of the #1 smash hit The Day the Crayons Quit comes a story about wishing, persevering, and reaching for the stars.

Once there was a boy, and that boy loved stars very much. So much so that he decided to catch one of his very own. But how? Waiting for them to grow tired from being up in the sky all night doesn't work. Climbing to the top of the tallest tree? No, not tall enough. The boy has a rocket ship . . . but it is made of paper and doesn't fly well at all. Finally, just when the boy is ready to give up, he learns that sometimes things aren't where, or what, we expect them to be.

Oliver Jeffers offers a simple, childlike tale of reaching for the stars, and emerging with a friend.

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    2 - 4 years, from customers
  2. Book 1 of 4
    The Boy
  3. Print length
    32 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    Preschool - 2
  6. Lexile measure
    AD480L
  7. Dimensions
    10.56 x 0.41 x 10.75 inches
  8. Publisher
    Philomel Books
  9. Publication date
    June 3, 2004
  10. ISBN-10
    0399242864
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0399242861
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K–In this whimsical picture book, a young stargazer decides he wants to catch a star. He ventures out at sunrise since he believes the stars will be "tired from being up in the sky all night." He waits all day, only to see one at sunset. The many schemes he concocts prove ineffective, and the sad child heads home along the beach. When he sees a sea star washed up on the sand, he is happy at last to have a star of his own. While the boy's original plan is counterintuitive, the rest of his schemes hold true for what a young child might dream up. The stylized watercolor cartoons are droll and lighthearted, resonating well with the tone of the story. Pair this with Kevin Henkes's Kitten's First Full Moon (Greenwillow, 2004) to share some nighttime adventures at storytime.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Oliver is a young boy who loves stars and wants one for himself. But no matter how high he reaches, the stars he chooses are out of reach. The seagull can't help him; perhaps a rocket ship might. Even when it appears that a star has fallen into the water, Oliver finds he's only grasping at a reflection. Jeffers uses a panoply of geometric figures (Oliver's head is ball, trees are lines topped with circles and decorated with squares) colored in jewel tones to tell the story. Although the pictures are spare, they have a haunting quality and much child appeal. Kids will like the end of the story, as well: Oliver finds a starfish on the beach that satisfies his longing. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Philomel Books; Illustrated edition (June 3, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399242864
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399242861
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 4 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD480L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.16 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.56 x 0.41 x 10.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,372 ratings

About the author

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Oliver Jeffers

Oliver Jeffers

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Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Northern Ireland.

From figurative painting, collage and installation to illustration and award winning picture-books, Oliver Jeffers practice takes many forms.

His distinctive paintings have been exhibited in multiple cities, including the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Brooklyn Museum New York.

HarperCollins UK and Penguin USA publish his picture books, now translated into over 36 languages, including The Incredible Book Eating Boy, and the New York Times Bestseller This Moose Belongs to Me and #1 New York Times Bestseller The Day The Crayons Quit.

Oliver won an Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative  work with artist and filmmaker Mac Premo. He has made art for Newsweek, The New York Times, United Airlines, TED, Nintendo, and has illustrated a a number of novels.

In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day.

Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London based Studio AKA, screening on Christmas Eve 2008 on Channel 4 in the UK and on Nickelodeon in the US and Australia.

In 2013, Jeffers illustrated the vinyl cover (a drawing of Nelson Mandela) for the U2 song "Ordinary Love". Jeffers also co-directed (with Mac Premo) the video for the U2 song "Ordinary Love".

Oliver grew up in Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

See more at www.oliverjeffers.com, or visit his instagram, facebook, and twitter @oliverjeffers

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
3,372 global ratings
It's Ok
3 Stars
It's Ok
I read other reviews and bought the book. There's not much content on each page and I don't like the art style. I don't dislike it, it's just "Ok." This isn't one I enjoy reading to my baby over and over. Also, this book is quite large and heavy for a board book.
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Top reviews from the United States

Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful & Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is a really cute story about a boy who wants to catch a star in the sky and how he goes about trying to do it. If I had to pick one word to describe this book it would be whimsical. The story is very simple, but the art really brings it to life. You really feel the imagination it takes for a little one to decide to catch a star! As an adult, I wouldn't ever even think of trying to catch a star, but this encompasses the essence of being a child and believing that you can do anything! It isn't very often that a board book makes me think deeply like this one has.

On top of that, the artwork is absolutely gorgeous! This is one of the best illustrated board books I have come across! It helps the story come to life for both my son and I. What more can you ask for in a book than to take you somewhere special and make you think about life!
14 people found this helpful
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Kristen
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable book, toddler loves it
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2022
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I just love Oliver jeffers. This book is so lovely. Sweet, simple story and beautiful illustrations. Highly recommend.
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N. Shipp
5.0 out of 5 stars My son's favorite book
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2007
Verified Purchase
My 3 year old son absolutely loves this book. He relates so much to what the boy goes through. Having a rocketship that doesn't work too well. Trying to find a seagull that will help fly him up. Finding a tall tree to climb up. He has the entire story memorized and when we read it, we really do read it together.

The illustrations are very well done. The shadows move under the trees as the time changes from dawn to morning to lunch to afternoon to evening. The story is simple, but you can talk to your child about what they would do the same or differently on each page in trying to catch a star.

Each page can be viewed from an adult perspective or a child's perspective. Does the boy just find a starfish? Or did the boy find the shooting star from three pages back?
11 people found this helpful
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Skye65
5.0 out of 5 stars For young kids and parents (and grandparents) alike!
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2014
Verified Purchase
Beautifully written with lovely illustrations, this is a book with a great ending and ALL will enjoy reading again and again (and if you'ra parent or grandparent you KNOW how important that is!). I HIGHLY recommend this book.

p.s. I'll bet their older brothers and sisters will like it, too!
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Kkmalmgren
4.0 out of 5 stars Not about rockets
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
I think this book is pretty cute, but my husband thinks it’s a little strange of an ending. So first off, I thought it was going to have more then one line in it about rockets, but it doesn’t. It is all about how this little boy is going to get a star but no way will work. He gets sad and then finds a starfish.
5 people found this helpful
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J. Lambrakos
5.0 out of 5 stars Aww...soo cute!
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2012
Verified Purchase
I first saw this book at the Tate Modern Museum on a trip to London. It is the story about a boy trying to catch a star with no luck until he finds one washed up on the beach in the form of a starfish. I live in Charleston, S.C. and grew up on the beach. This story reminded my of one my grandmother told me when I told her that wishing on a star was a waste of time. She said, "Oh, darlin' the falling star falls into the ocean, and the wish only comes true when you find that star once it washes up on the beach." I loved that idea and in the late summer of 1998 we had a strange marine occurence here in Charleston causing hundreds of starfish to wash up on local beaches. No, ALL my dreams didn't come true but I called my grandmother to remind her of the story and she said she'd made it up on the spot because she didn't want me to lose hope in making wishes.....I love her for that....
46 people found this helpful
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Myrna Sebesta
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2020
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I love this book. The story is inventive. The pictures and colors are beautiful. The board book is of great quality. The cover is different from most board books—something you would expect from a hardcover. Beautiful.
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Zesti
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Preschoolers and older toddlers!
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018
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This is a perfect book for 3+. The words are simple, yet sophisticated enough for toddlers and preschoolers. And the lessons and conversations sparked are abundant. A must have for any home or class library!
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ryan
5.0 out of 5 stars Sensacional
Reviewed in Brazil on August 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
Excelente para ler em inglês com as crianças. A história prende a atenção e tem uma mensagem bonita.
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Omar
5.0 out of 5 stars Preciodo libro
Reviewed in Mexico on December 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
Oliver Jeffers es un genio, si nunca ha leido algo de el, haga el esfuerzo. No se arrepentira.
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Mrs Jasmin Grisales
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
Good value for money
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Sara Fulghesu
5.0 out of 5 stars Bellissimo
Reviewed in Italy on November 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
Ottimo per chi vuole introdurre l'inglese da subito. Consigliato
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julie pome
5.0 out of 5 stars Superbe !
Reviewed in France on October 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
Ma fille adore ce livre ! (Elle avait 20 mois lorsqu’on lui a offert mais je pense qu’il convient très bien à des enfants bien plus grands, peut-être jusqu’à 4 ou 5 ans).
Très poétique et plein d’imagination.
J’adore aussi ce grand format.
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