From a brand-new talent, comes a lyrical fable reminiscent of your favorite Grimms' Fairy Tales! Stardog is a lonely protector of stars in the pursuit of finding others of her kind, but along the way learns to redefine her dreams.
"Intricate and captivating, The Last Stardog is an utterly charming and delightful story of friendship and dreams, and the magic that sparks where they meet" — Hollie Hughes, Author of The Girl and the Dinosaur
Have you ever dreamed the same dream twice or thrice or more? Because if you have you are like Stardog who has dreamed the same dream every night, at least twice or thrice or more . . . It’s a very important dream to Stardog, because in this dream Stardog is not alone . . .
Outside of dreams Stardog is the last of her kind and one night, heavy with loneliness Stardog falls out of the sky. Past the planets, down, down, down to Earth where the familiar falls away and the unknown grows all around. All alone and too heavy to fly home, Stardog sets out on a journey to fulfil her dream – to find others like her.
But along the way StarDog meets a butterfly, crow, and tiger that help her realize the journey is no easy feat and dreams can change . . . What Stardog’s dream truly is and what she is searching for is that special place where she perhaps not what is familar, but rather the transformative power of a community of species unlike her own!
The first series title in a trilogy of epics, with gold foiling on the cover that make this a magical treasure to cherish for years to come!
This book feels like a big hug, its words and illustrations envelop and immerse you in a feeling of warmth, nostalgia and happiness. E. K. Mosley has created a fantastic story that anyone who has ever had a dog as a friend can easily empathize with. Because not only does it tell a story of friendship, but it also speaks of life itself. I see my childhood dog in Stardog, I see the magic and goodness of animals in the crow, the tiger, the frog and the moth. I just can’t wait to read the next issue and see how their beautiful adverture continues.
A simply gorgeous picture book. A richly illustrated quest narrative with strong themes and a cast of charming companions on the journey. Each has their own desire to find friendship, acceptance and a sense of belonging as they seek to find their place in the world. The language is exquisite, as are the stunning illustrations. A touch of magic for readers young and old!
Thanks to Bounce Marketing for sending me a proof copy in exchange for an honest review, which you can find below.
This is an extraordinary book and will most likely go down as an instant classic. The simple but powerful messaging is inspirational for all ages, with themes such as the enduring power of friendship, courage in the face of uncertainty and the undying spirit of adventure being encapsulated perfectly in the whimsical and deeply moving tale of the titular Stardog's search for her family. The characters are also excellent; they are simply and memorably introduced and represent witty spins on many of the classic storytelling archetypes. However, they are also all expertly captured and brimming with personality. Without giving too much away, each of them has to face their own challenges and tribulations, and their struggles in the face of adversity are highly relatable. They will stay with the reader long after you put the book down, and spending time with them is a heartwarming joy. And the illustrations. My word, the illustrations! I am someone with a large collection of very beautiful books (an unfortunate side effect of a weakness for coffee-table art volumes), but this is without doubt one of the most gorgeously illustrated titles I've ever seen across any age range or genre. Mosley's artworks are detailed, stunningly coloured and filled with depths which reveal themselves over numerous readings. This would be a fantastic book regardless of the illustrations, but they raise The Last Stardog to another level and position it as a work that is a delight to read or simply to behold. I would without hesitation recommend it to both children and adults. Anyone looking for a charming story, fantastic characters and some of the finest illustrations ever committed to paper can end their search right here.
The Last Stardog is a tale of friendship and belonging. When the last stardog falls from the sky, she journeys to find other star dogs in the hope that they can help restore her magic. Along the way, Stardog meets Crow, Moth, Frog, and Tiger. They each tell Stardog their stories and join her on her journey to find other stardogs. Stardog, in the end, comes to realize where the power of her magic comes from. This was a cute and whimsical read. The illustrations made the story come to life. The author’s writing style made the story more compelling. I thought this book was very cute and enjoyed the characters stories.
This was an Advanced Readers Copy from Flying Eye Book given for a honest review.
I would love to see this book get more attention and acknowledgement! In a lot of ways it felt reminscent of the classic picture books I read as a kid. the story's simple, but still unique, and I'm always a sucker for a chosen family/close friendship story. Probably my favorite thing about this book is the absolutely stunning artwork, that just feels so alive and adds so much to the story being told. All the characters are so endearing and memorable, especially the stardog herself. I love the little frog boat captain, as well. SO adorable. The lore behind the stardog is really well explored too, and i'd be interested to see a more in depth look at that maybe in a future book.
Absolutely beautiful artwork that adds to the magical feeling of the story. This cute short story is also lovely for people of all ages, and is about discovering what we truly want, which is really the company and friendship of others, even when we thought we wanted something else.
Thanks to Flying Eye Books for the advanced reading copy.
Thanks to Flying Eye Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, wow, stunning! It’s gorgeous and lyrical—both in the writing & art. Highly highly recommend especially for fans of Patricia Polacco, it gives off the same vibes.
A beautiful picture book!! The Last Stardog reminds us that love and friendship can conquer many obstacles. I really enjoyed how all the animals accepted each other despite how different they were.
absolutely adorable and absolutely breathtaking! I love the art soooo much, and the characters having their own little stories and motivations, all in a short picture book, was so fun. and stardog!! so cute!!!
This is the gentle story of The Last Stardog who falls from the sky when she grows so lonely, but her magic is gone and she can't fly back home. She wakes in a world where there are lots of creatures, so she sets out to see if she can find another Stardog. On the way she meets other creatures who join her on her search. She realises that they are her friends and her magic begins again....
The story is such a gentle story of friendship. However EK Mosley's illustrations are just stunning. Each page has so much on it to look at. Children will be looking at the illustrations to see what they can find.
Beautiful. Thanks to Flying Eye Books for the copy. TA, ESCP
Thank you to Flying Eye Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book. I'm incredibly honored and had to read it right away. The art style is stunning- the colors are vibrant and blend well together, bringing beautiful visuals to an incredible story. This is a book about friendship, found family, and finding light where there is darkness. While I was reading it, I couldn't help but think about the children in my life. This is a book I need to purchase for my nieces and nephews. I highly recommend it to anyone that loves stories of the universe, friendship, and dogs.
It’d be redundant to say this book, the first in a planned trilogy, is dreamy as it begins as, high in the night sky where a Stardog dreams of not being alone every night. But she is alone and one-night she falls to the Earth. As she begins searching for others like herself, she meets a moth, a crow, a frog, and a tiger who offer to go with her to look. But eventually she realizes that she doesn’t need to be with others exactly like her to be happy. A wonderful read-a-loud using your most calming, go-to-sleep voice.
The Last Stardog is a beautifully illustrated children's book. We were mesmerized with the paintings and I loved the fabel format of the story. There was something really magical about the pairing. Set to be a trilogy 😍 they will be such an exquisite collection on my little's shelf. I can't wait for the story to be completed!