FALLING STAR

A bright yellow star finds itself in a literal and psychological freefall.

The celestial body’s monologue begins in the heavens. Its fragile emotional state is conveyed primarily by the rhyming text; its only facial features are its wide-open, anxious eyes. The people of Earth love wishing upon stars, and our protagonist loves granting them, but “competing with the other stars for the spotlight” is stressful. Worried, the star—surrounded by a teardrop shape—tumbles from the sky while fretting. These concerns seem more geared toward overachieving adults than little ones: “Have I lost my spot in the sky? / Was everything I accomplished a lie?” The seemingly random accompanying images appear to be more driven by a forced rhyme scheme than the plot: “Now I’m upstaged by the lights in Paris. // Don’t look at me; I’m so embarrassed.” The protagonist falls into a hole but is eventually lifted up by two sailors (one tan-skinned, one brown-skinned) and placed in an unlit lighthouse. Shining brightly once again, the star concludes, “As long as I am who I am, I will be fine.” Pretty sunset-hued watercolors aren’t enough to rescue this tale that misses the mark when it comes to audience appeal.

Rambling ruminations on self-worth.