Beneath That Star

Genre: Children

Author: Sally Meadows
Genre: Children

Saray longs to be a shepherd just like her three older brothers. But when God speaks to her in a dream to look out for and follow the bright star, what she finds underneath it is of far greater value than anything she could ever have imagined. Beneath That Star is an uplifting story for all ages about obedience, patience, trust, healing, and above all, God's immeasurable love for each one of us.

---

Reviewer: Laura Thomas

Set in Bethlehem, Beneath That Star is the story of a young girl, Saray, who longs to be a shepherd, just like her brothers. She adores sheep and the great outdoors, but a crippling accident left her with a limp and a life destined for the not-so-great indoors.
 
One night in a dream, Saray is told to watch for a star and to follow it in order to find what her heart truly desires. She waits and waits, wondering if the voice in her dream was God, and when this star will appear. After almost losing hope, one night she sees the brightest star ever to light up the night sky, and bravely follows it. To her surprise, her brothers are already there under the star, along with a woman and a baby. She knows the baby is special just by feeling the love radiate from him, and as she encounters the Messiah, Saray experiences a very special miracle that night.

 A sweet story of hope followed by a thought provoking set of questions for discussion, Beneath That Star is a beautiful book to read with a child at Christmas! 


---

---

Reviewer: Mary Hosmar

Beneath that Star, a Christmas picture book to accompany Sally Meadow’s original song by the same name, is a story full of hope, trust and comfort.  Saray’s courageous journey through the night to follow the star reflects our own insecurities and pains as we, too, journey beneath that star.  As we relate to her pain, her joy can be our joy.

The story is simple enough for a child to understand but thought-provoking enough to engage adults. The colourful pictures will hold a young child’s attention as the story is read to him or her.

For further enjoyment, read this book, whether to children or as adults, while listening to the song by the same name.

---

---

Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Beneath that Star, by author Sally Meadows is a lovely little children's book suitable for teaching children the importance of waiting and obedience. But most of all it would make a fine edition to your children's library for the Christmas season.

Saray is a young girl who longs to lead sheep like her brothers. Unfortunately she has injured her leg and her mother makes it clear that her place is in the home, not out in the fields. Saray becomes disappointed that she will never get to be a shepherd and asks God if He even hears her.

One night God reveals to her in a dream that she should be on the look out for a bright star and when she sees it, she should follow it. But the waiting takes a long time and Saray begins to wonder if the star will ever appear. But of course one night it does appear, leading Saray to the Messiah, where she learns the importance of waiting, obedience and that God does in fact hear her.

The back of the book has questions you can ask your child after reading the book. It is definitely a good bed-time story the night before Christmas, as it emphasizes the importance of waiting and the joy that comes when you obey. Well done!

---

---

Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

It's a story that never ceases to be told. Through the eyes of a child, it becomes even sweeter.

"Beneath That Star" recalls the birth of the Messiah through the eyes of a young girl who longs to be a shepherdess, free to spend long hours outside with her family's sheep. Following an unfortunate accident, Saray's parents have discouraged her aspirations, encouraging Saray to improve her domestic skills in order to become a capable homemaker.

God has His own plans for Saray and interrupts her slumber one night with a message, "watch for the star, follow it, beneath that star, you will find what your heart longs for." Saray waits, and waits, and waits. Did she just imagine God's voice, or will the appearance of a divine star be the beginning of His special plans for her life?

In spite of the rearrangement of the biblical details surrounding Christ's birth, "Beneath That Star" was enjoyable to read, having received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

---