Michelle Conn, The Christmas Star, Affirm Press, August 2024, 32 pp., RRP $22.99 (hbk), 9781922930309
Timmy was sure his teacher would make him the star of the show.
After a long wait, the drama teacher announced the roles:
Ren and Reece as Reindeer,
Sonny as the Snowman,
Evie as the Elf,
Peter as the Present,
Jo as the Gingerbread Girl,
Chloe as the Candy Cane,
Kevin as the King and
Timmy as…drum roll please…
The Christmas Tree.
Timmy was about to lose his baubles.
As a child, I loved being part of a school play. Like Timmy, I also wanted to be the star of the show. It never happened. But I had the best of times.
The Christmas Star is a relatable story about sharing the stage as part of the team in a Christmas play and perfectly demonstrates what being a true friend looks like.
Michelle Conn is an award-winning illustrator and this is her debut as both an author and illustrator. She captures the friendship between two boys embracing their creativity so beautifully. There’s not a hint of anger or malice between the boys, instead focussing on their realisation that the play isn’t the same if one of them isn’t in it. Conn’s illustrations reflect a diverse and realistic children’s cast and capture their emotions and moods well. The red, gold and green palette with hues of gingerbread brown with blue and pink icing gives a delicious Christmas tone. The endpapers are reminiscent of Christmas gift wrapping paper.
This picture book is a perfect Christmas story for children 3+ with themes of friendship, sharing and kindness.
Reviewed by Stef Gemmill
