Reach for the Stars

A dark-haired, light-skinned parent writes an ode to their pale, honey-haired infant in this rhyming picture book by TV personality Calandrelli, host of Emily’s Wonder Lab. Using a light refrain of “The more you reach, the more you learn./ There’s so much here to see,” couplets encourage the maturing child to seek knowledge and experiences, as their parent wonders about future milestones including college and beyond, musing at what they’ll teach when the time comes: “You’ll reach for your boogie board/ and catch a wave or two.// I’ll teach you how the lunar pull/ made those tides for you.” Vintage-style digital illustrations by Jang supplement additional details as the child ages: alongside “I’ll teach you words like ‘universe’/ as you begin to talk,” the parent is shown explaining a solar system model to their toddler, who sits rapt with hands folded atop the sun. A gentle affirmation for science-inclined kids and their parents. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)