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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Flying Cardinal Press. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky
Written and Illustated by Laura Smetana Ages: 0+ | 34 Pages Publisher: Flying Cardinal Press (2025) | ISBN: 978-1737140993 Publisher’s Book Summary: With vivid watercolor collages, My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky, is the stunning companion to the award-winning book, My Love for You Is Like a Garden, named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2023. Say “I love you” at bedtime or anytime with this lyrical story that celebrates love with bold, colorful illustrations of stars, planets, and galaxies. As they look up at the stars, a child’s mother explains that her love is like the night sky. It glows with pride like the full moon, is as radiant as a meteor shower, and as vast as our solar system. Readers of all ages will be inspired to step outside to marvel at the wonders of the night sky together—and maybe even spot a shooting star. Children will delight in learning the names of the planets in our solar system, the phases of the moon, and more in the glossary. A beautiful book to share with anyone you love! Author Interview
Where did you get the inspiration for My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky?
After my picture book My Love for You Is Like a Garden came out in 2023, I thought about doing a companion book but wasn’t sure what the focus would be. I’ve always loved marveling at the night sky, wishing on stars, and going on walks to find the moon. The night sky is so beautiful and vast and changes throughout the year! One night while looking up at the stars, I thought about comparing love to the night sky and the idea for My Love for You Is Like the Night grew from there. What was your writing process like for this book? Once I decided on the topic for the book, I started brainstorming different elements of the night sky that I could compare love to—like stars, the moon, planets, and meteor showers. But I got stuck and needed a little more inspiration. So, I took a field trip to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago where I was surrounded by rich imagery and descriptions of our vast universe. I took notes and scribbled down ideas as I walked through the museum. It was just the dose of inspiration I needed to finish writing the story! What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? One of my favorite parts of writing books for kids is the opportunity to do school author visits. I love sharing my books, discussing how to find inspiration, and teaching kids how they can make their own books. At the end of each of my presentations I lead a directed draw-along where students get to be illustrators and add their own creativity to their drawings. And their creativity is incredible! I always tell students that it doesn’t matter how young you are or how old you are, we all have stories to share. It always makes me so happy when kids tell me they are planning to write their own books after my visit! What are you working on now? Right now, I’m working on a book about the childhood joy of catching fall leaves that I illustrated with cut-paper watercolor collages. I’m also working on a bedtime adventure story and have a few stories about my Slovak American heritage that are in the works. I’m excited to share these with readers in the future! What is your favorite book? I have always struggled with choosing a favorite anything—but when it comes to books, while I can’t pick one, there are some that I have loved returning to again and again. When I was little the first book I read by myself was Little Bear written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I remember being so surprised and delighted that I could read the words! That became a well-loved favorite, as well as anything by Leo Lionni. These days, the book I find myself returning to again and again is Ferris by Kate DiCamillo—I think I’m on my fifth re-read and every time I find something new! That’s the wonderful thing about books—they are like old friends and always have something. Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a paperback copy of My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky, signed by Laura Smetana. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a special bundle that includes a signed hardcover edition of the book, a mini original framed watercolor collage by the author, a lined journal, a set of colored pencils, a tube of glow-in-the-dark paint, and a wooden star craft kit.
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