We're giving copies of My Pet Star by Corrinne Averiss and Rosalind Beardshaw to families across the country through food banks, refuges and more. We want you to join in the fun of this magical story... so let's get baking! This activity would be a lovely way of completing some bookish play after reading My Pet Star and my girls looks forward to making more stars.

Welcome to my latest blog post. This piece is part of a blog tour for a brilliant picture book My Pet Star . Thank you to Hachette publishers for inviting me along.Add a fun eCard to your PetStar video to wish your friend or family member to celebrate a holiday or special occasion. If you feel like you need warming up for storytelling duties, picture books offer the simplest way: just study the illustrations together... ‘What’s this?’ ‘I wonder where she’s going?’ ‘Look at that house, what colour is the roof?’

The young girl is such a sweet diverse character and I think many readers will admire her kindness and love for her temporary pet, star. Sadly she does have to say goodbye to the star and this is such a touching moment in the story. The story gently shares that sometimes we do need to let go but the young girl does so in knowing that she looked after the star so well. Want to see My Pet Star read aloud or learn how to draw the little girl and her fallen star? The good news is that you can... right here. We're giving copies of My Pet Star by Corrinne Averiss and Rosalind Beardshaw to families across the country through food banks, refuges and more - and we want you to join in the fun!Ik hou van sterren, ik hou van prentenboeken. Mijn eigen ster was dus een ideaal boek voor mij, dacht ik. Hoe juist dit was wist ik toen nog niet… Ik heb al veel kinderboeken in mijn hart gesloten doch, slechts een paar daarvan gaven me een krop in mijn keel en tranen in mijn ogen. Dit is er één van. Ik weet niet of het komt door het prachtige, op rijm geschreven (klinkt als een slecht idee, is het ook quasi altijd maar hier helemaal niet), verhaal van Corinne of door de grappige, tedere tekeningen van Rosalind. Waarschijnlijk zit het hem in de combinatie. Rhyming text and gentle storytelling help make this the perfect book for bedtime or snuggling up with; it feels like a really special story and is a joy to read. When Mum walks him to nursery the next day, she explains that people show their feelings in different ways: the mean old man on the park bench is telling the stray … Make the context appealing as well as the book. Tell your child you’re going to be reading about a star that fell from the sky into a little girl’s garden! Imagine that...! Colour in your characters with paints or pencils. You could even add glitter, ribbons or pom poms if you like!

The little girl and the star forge a beautiful friendship and this will be a great book for those who love stargazing and those who are keen on having a pet. Next, tear up your colourful tissue paper into lots of little squares. If you don't have coloured tissue paper, you could paint on to another sheet of baking paper or white tissue paper and use that instead.My Pet Star” is a rhyming picture book that contains a lovely little story about a loving child and her love for a star.

Looking for something fun as a family? Enjoy storytime with our free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, test your knowledge in our book-themed quizzes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters. Although it certainly wasn’t known at the time of its selection – My Pet Star's themes of illness, kindness, nurture and getting well (or letting go) are incredibly relevant to what we’re all experiencing. I hope it helps you to talk about these things in a positive context. If it’s a clear night, you could take a look at the night sky and ask your little one if they think they can see Pet Star? If you can, wave hello to him!Make a table that shows things that are alive, were alive or have never been alive. You could use this resource to help. Rosalind has very kindly put steps together so that you and your little poppets can have a paper pet star of your very own. Our members enable us to produce quality resources like these and every membership contributes to our important work of improving literacy education for all. If you value this resource please consider supporting the work of the Association by joining us. Curiosity about the images and working it out as team has so many special bonding benefits. I always find Rosalind Beardshaw’s illustrations offer lots of rich details to explore. Here are a few extra little hints and tips for reading My Pet Star aloud The more you do it, the better it will feel and your child is most certainly not a critic, they love the sound of your voice.