Secrets of the Stars: 15 Bedtime Stories Inspired by Nature

K-Gr 3–In 15 brief narratives, Klepeis describes the nighttime activities of different animal species from around the globe. Although the cover promises a collection of bedtime stories, none of the tales have a strong narrative arc and many have no connection to bedtime other than their nocturnal settings. The writing style is largely expository, and the prose functions as a framework to deliver facts about each species and its habitat. An additional “The Science Behind the Story” spread follows every narrative, with supplemental facts about the featured species. Young naturalists will be engrossed in these fact-filled stories and the realistic digital illustrations that accompany them. A few of the featured species, such as the gray wolf and snowy owl, are staples of children’s nonfiction. Others, like the indigo bunting and the pineapplefish, can finally enjoy a long-overdue moment in the spotlight. Back matter includes a glossary and an index, but there is no pronunciation guide for potentially unfamiliar words.