How to Catch a Star, written and illustrated by the beloved children's author Oliver Jeffers, holds a special place in my heart. As a mother, reading this book to my boys, then aged 9 and 5, was a mesmerising experience. Whether it is the delightfully expressive illustrations or the curiosity hidden in the stories or the limitless imaginations, every page captures the reader’s attention.
As a cherished routine in our household, after reading a book together we discuss anything and everything that come to our minds about the story. For those unfamiliar with How to Catch a Star, it tells the story of a little boy who dreams of catching a star in the sky, and eventually succeeds. And so, here’s what each of us thought after reading the story:
My 5 y.o.: He was thrilled that the boy in the story finally caught a star. He had no questions on the possibilities of how the boy achieved it.
My 9 y.o.: He was happy for the boy, but still wondered whether the star he caught was a real one or probably a toy in the shape of a star?
Me: While I adored the story (as I do with all of Oliver Jeffer’s books), I couldn’t help but wonder about its feasibility. How could a boy catch a star? Why not choose a more realistic example?
I struggled initially to see beyond the perspective of my ‘grown-up’ mind as it was fixed on realism. It made me wonder how our imaginations narrow as we age. Whereas children remain open to endless possibilities, something we tend to lose over time.
I remembered a school assignment my kids once had. They were asked to sit idle for 10-15 minutes, preferably in nature, and express their reflections through words, art, or any creative form. And as an adult I had often considered sitting idle as unproductive.
Busier the mind = Happier one becomes - this was my formula, often forgetting or rather ignoring the fact that it is in these moments of stillness that one can spark creativity and imagination.
So, whether you are a parent or not, keep reading children’s books, preferably the ones with beautiful illustrations. They help keep the child within us alive and joyful. If you're unsure where to start, explore the wonders created by Eric Carle, Oliver Jeffers, or Julia Donaldson. These authors have a magical way of igniting, or should I say RE-igniting, our sense of wonder and imagination.