The Starmaker Catherine Doyle 9781526671981

**A magical and heartwarming picture book from a prize-winning author-illustrator duo**

A beautiful and poignant story which celebrates the importance of friendship across the generations and the passing on of treasured traditions

In the little town of Gloam, every child receives their own special star from the Starmaker when they are born. Stella's star is her best friend, with a knack for adventure and a sixth sense for danger. Together they learn to ride a bike, build a fort and make the best ooey-gooey chocolate cake. And if Stella ever feels sad, her star sits very close to her heart to comfort her.

When Stella's tiny baby brother Leo won't stop crying and no-one can work out why, it's her star that nudges Stella to try and solve the mystery. Together they go on a journey into the deepest corners of Gloam to find a person who not only knows how to help baby Leo, but who also holds the key to Stella's special, starry destiny...

Catherine Doyle grew up beside the Atlantic Ocean in the west of Ireland. Her love of reading began with great Irish myths and legends, and fostered in her an ambition to one day write her own. She is the author of the YA Blood for Blood trilogy and The Storm Keeper's Island, and lives in Galway.

Paddy Donnelly is a bestselling author and illustrator who grew up on the beautiful north coast of Ireland. He has published over 25 picture books, including The Golden Hare, which was awarded the Children's Book of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024. Paddy has twice been nominated for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration.