Starry Night

The creator of Nate's Treasure again tells a deceptively simple tale: two brothers and their father go on an overnight camping expedition. They don't stray far: ``Just out back at the edge of the pines. Just out of sight from the house.'' But what they experience is nature--and human nature--at its grandest. After helping to build a fire and listening to Dad play songs on the harmonica, Nate and Matt marvel at the night sky, studded with stars shining ``like forever fireflies.'' When only Nate spies a shooting star, he knows that ``it was just for him.'' Finally, Spohn shows father and sons snuggled together in their sleeping bags--a warm and affecting closing image. With its tightly woven text and shadow-filled pictures composed of tiny dots, this is a thoughtful, tranquil work, ideal for bedtime reading. Ages 5-up. (Aug.)