Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star [Paperback]

Iza Trapani (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997 | Age Level: 2 and up

Last year, Iza Trapani's 50,000-copy bestseller Itsy Bitsy Spider was an American Bookseller's Pick of the Lists. Now, the author returns with the magical tale of a young heroine who wishes upon a mischievous, twinkling star. Granting her wish, the little star takes her on a dazzling journey through the swirling, iridescent lights of the night sky.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2?A little blonde girl gazes out of her window at a twinkling celestial object, greets it with the traditional childhood rhyme of the title, and requests that she might have her wish that night. Her wish comes true when the smiling star appears in her window and takes her on a magical ride through the sky. The combination of serene, lovely landscapes and a cartoon, smiley-faced star has a hodgepodge effect. The rhyming text, while serviceable, switches voice from the girl to the star with no punctuational differentiation, resulting in some confusion when reading aloud. Musical notation is included, which will make this useful as a lullaby, but it is a disappointing, overly sweet and contrived follow-up to Trapani's clever Itsy Bitsy Spider (Whispering Coyote, 1993).?Anna DeWind, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Iza Trapani
Author/Illustrator

Iza Trapani came to America from Warsaw, Poland, with her mother when she was just seven years old.

Always fascinated with children's literature, Iza loves to explore the pure simplicity of words matched with charming illustrations in her own work. As a child, Iza spent hours immersed in the magical world of picture books, and as an adult Iza will still sit and giggle with Dr. Seuss's books.

Through her wondrous stories like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Iza proudly shares a part of herself with children. Her detailed illustrations and charming characters tell stories that teach as well as delight and touch young readers.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879085704
• ISBN-13: 978-1879085701
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Nursery Rhymes > General
  • #29 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Fiction
  • #79 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry

More About the Author

In 1961, when I was seven years old, my mother and I came to America. My father, sister, brother and paternal grandmother all stayed behind in the tiny apartment in Warsaw, Poland where the six of us had lived. Under Communist rule entire families were prohibited from traveling abroad so my mother took me, the youngest, hoping to bring the rest of the family over soon thereafter. Tragically, she died before fulfilling her dream. My father died a few years later. Due to extenuating circumstances I was unable to return to Poland and twenty-seven years passed before I was reunited with my siblings. I spent three and a half years in a Catholic Children's Home and then, after completing High School, moved to the Hudson River Valley in upstate New York.
In the ensuing years I worked as a nanny, short-order cook and waitress while studying Art at the State University in New Paltz. After graduation I worked in various capacities - as a rock climbing guide, real estate broker, caterer and freelance illustrator. But all along I had one dream - a dream I held onto since I was a child - to make picture books. My portfolio bulged with art for children and I just hoped for that lucky break.
The break came one day in 1990 as I rode my mountain bike and a turtle crossed the trail in front of me. The serendipitous encounter inspired a poem which led to the publication of my first book, What Am I? An Animal Guessing Game.
My career blossomed with the release of The Itsy Bitsy Spider, an extension of the original rhyme, which is still going strong after an amazing nineteen years. Positive response from early educators encouraged me to retell and illustrate more nursery rhymes, and I am delighted that my books are used in schools nationwide and abroad.
I have always loved children's literature - from the wacky brilliance of Dr. Seuss to the timeless, love-filled classics of Margaret Wise Brown and a slew of others in between. The combination of engaging text and enchanting illustrations has always been an irresistible package, fascinating me all my life. As a child I spent hours immersed in the magical world of picture books. As an adult I try to re-create some of that magic for others to enjoy.
Looking back on my childhood in Poland, I feel that I owe my family gratitude for fostering a creative environment in our home and for instilling in me a love for books, language, art and music. For the brief time that I knew my parents their encouragement left a lasting impression and contributed greatly to the realization of my lifelong dream.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of our all-time favorite books., December 15, 2003

By 

Carol J. Marotti (Glendale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Board Book) (Board book)

We have 100+ kids books and, I have to say, this is our all-time favorite. We've had this book since my daughter was 1. She's 5 now and still asks us to sing the verses from the book every night. We own several of Ms. Trapani's books and adore them all. Ms. Trapani has taken an already wonderful children's song and made it even more memorable. The book is beautifully illustrated with a little cherub of a girl going on a dream-like adventure. I love the way Iza Trapani makes the little star, the "star" of the book. She does that with her other works as well. The versus are easy to sing or just recite as a poem.

The book starts with a little girl dreaming of going to the stars. One little star comes down and grants her wish, taking her on a "magic ride". They fly over oceans, farms, and around the planets. After their big adventure, the little star returns the girl to her warm bed and tells her not to be sad, "...I'll shine on you each night my friend...". The little girl thanks the star with a sweet thank you verse "...Thank you for this special night, and the comfort of your light..."

I also HIGHLY recomend these Iza Trapani books: "I'm a Little Teapot" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider".

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WISH COME TRUE!, September 20, 2000

By 

Soaring Heart - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Paperback)

This is a beautifully illustrated story complete with gold highlights and lots of vibrant colors. It is set to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Iza adds verses to make it a wonderful story: A little girl sits at her bedroom window and gazes out at the first star she sees and says "...How I wish that I could fly, And visit you up in the sky. I wish I may I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight." The star appears at her window and says "...I'll take you on a magic ride. So come with me--I'll be your guide..." I won't share the whole journey but it is definitely magical!

On the last page of the book it includes the verses and music notes to the song. (But I doubt you'll need it; most of us have this song memorized!) Sometimes I sing the story other times I don't; it reads like a poem so you don't need to sing it unless you want to.

I will probably end up with all of Iza's books to read/sing to my daughter. I love them as much as she does! I highly recommend this book as well as "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider." (The only two I own at this point.) You won't be disappointed with Iza!

Thanks Iza!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BEAUTIFUL BOOK IN BOTH WORDS AND PICTURE!, November 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (Hardcover)

I came across this book by accident while browsing a bookstore... I glanced at it and immediately fell in love with it - the pictures will transport you to the "other side" of our universe - where children (and adults) would love to explore! The classic song is played out through a little girl's adventures with the famous star and is a "must buy" book for "children" of all ages and all races! I have two (one hard copy - for me! and a paperback - for the "hungry" little ones)! My two children (and others in my care) adore it! I've bought copies for friends and they have asked how I managed to find it (a lesser known book)... Good Question! Why don't we see more of these "good-for-kids" books! Don't listen to the "commercial" reviews. Listen to your heart. Want a book you can purchase and feel confident it will be a "safe" one - and a "re-read" request? This is the one! It's got rhythm to the rhyme and would appeal to the tender side of the child in all of us!