Wish Upon a Star: The Science, Magic and Meaning of Stars

Illustrated by Wenjia Tang
Hardcover
$19.99 US
On sale Sep 02, 2025 | 64 Pages | 9781838749071

A beautifully illustrated non-fiction book about stars for children aged 7+, covering the science, their various forms in nature, and the myths, stories and symbolism that they have inspired.

A richly illustrated guide to the myths, histories and science of stars. Covering their various forms, including constellations and galaxies, how we study stars and our connections to stars, including navigation, astronomy, art and mythology from around the world.
Catherine Ard spent her childhood in Yorkshire, Northern Ireland, then London and West Sussex, where she first discovered a love of reading and her talent for writing. She studied French and English at Liverpool University, then spent 15 years working in London and Bath editing children’s non-fiction books. She has gone on to be commissioned to write for publishers including Macmillan, Little Gestalten, Quarto, Templar and Thames and Hudson on topics ranging from astronauts to magicians, but her main interests lie in wildlife and the environment. She now lives in Bristol and combines her passion for books with her love of the great outdoors.

Wenjia Tang is a Chinese-born freelance illustrator graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in Illustration in 2017. After living and working in NYC for a few years, she returned to China in 2020 and resides in Nanjing with her parents. Her work has been recognised by American Illustration, Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts and 3x3 Magazine etc. Some of her clients include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Airbnb, Audubon Society, Remy Martin, DK, Little Tiger and Kids Can Press.

About

A beautifully illustrated non-fiction book about stars for children aged 7+, covering the science, their various forms in nature, and the myths, stories and symbolism that they have inspired.

A richly illustrated guide to the myths, histories and science of stars. Covering their various forms, including constellations and galaxies, how we study stars and our connections to stars, including navigation, astronomy, art and mythology from around the world.

Author

Catherine Ard spent her childhood in Yorkshire, Northern Ireland, then London and West Sussex, where she first discovered a love of reading and her talent for writing. She studied French and English at Liverpool University, then spent 15 years working in London and Bath editing children’s non-fiction books. She has gone on to be commissioned to write for publishers including Macmillan, Little Gestalten, Quarto, Templar and Thames and Hudson on topics ranging from astronauts to magicians, but her main interests lie in wildlife and the environment. She now lives in Bristol and combines her passion for books with her love of the great outdoors.

Wenjia Tang is a Chinese-born freelance illustrator graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in Illustration in 2017. After living and working in NYC for a few years, she returned to China in 2020 and resides in Nanjing with her parents. Her work has been recognised by American Illustration, Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts and 3x3 Magazine etc. Some of her clients include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Airbnb, Audubon Society, Remy Martin, DK, Little Tiger and Kids Can Press.

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