Mister in the Stars

Devon Rohana ∙ Illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Hardcover

Published on Sep 8, 2026 | 40 Pages

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Ebook

Published on Sep 8, 2026 | 40 Pages

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Grades Preschool – 3
Ages 4–8

In this deeply moving picture book, a girl heals from the loss of a loved one by making up funny and creative names for everything in her life.

Melanie names everything she sees and thinks and feels. She calls her big brother Mister and her least favorite dinner No Thanks. Her baby sister’s nose is HONK!

Most of all, Melanie loves coming up with names that make Mister, who is sick, laugh. His hospital gown is a Daytime Slumber Party Dress. His pain is Ouch Ouch Go Away.

But then, one day, Mister dies. Are there any words to describe what it feels like to lose someone you love? Melanie cries tears that she calls Ocean Eyes. She names death Why-why-why-why-why?

As time passes, though, Melanie begins to understand that her brother is still with her: in the breeze and the stars and her dreams. And she feels the stirrings of a new emotion—one whose only name is Peace.

★ "Rohana considers a profoundly difficult experience from a child’s perspective, embracing sense-based experiences and emotional logic rather than attempting to encapsulate grief....Beautiful, sad, direct, and brave." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "A deeply moving and necessary addition to picture book collections dealing with grief and child loss. Powerful, emotional, and ultimately hopeful." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Rohana’s direct, descriptive storytelling allows readers to understand one girl’s journey into and through grief....This is a gentle and successful portrayal of loss." —The Horn Book, starred review

★ "[A] loving portrait of navigating fear and grief through small acts of autonomy." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A thoughtful, emotional, and ultimately hopeful read." —The Bulletin

ISBN 9780593897034 (Hardcover)
Published on Sep 8, 2026
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
Pages 40
Dimensions 8-1/2 x 10-1/2
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3

ISBN 9780593897041 (Hardcover Library Binding)
Published on Sep 8, 2026
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
Pages 40
Dimensions 8-1/2 x 10-1/2
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3

ISBN 9780593897058 (Ebook)
Published on Sep 8, 2026
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
Pages 40
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3

Devon Rohana

Devon Rohana works for the Free Library of Philadelphia, where she runs a citywide early literacy initiative for educators. She has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University. Children are her favorite people, and Mister in the Stars is her picture book debut.

G. Brian Karas

G. Brian Karas is the prolific, versatile, and award-winning illustrator of many books for children, including the beloved Mr. Tiffin’s Class series, A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards, which received three starred reviews, Lemonade in Winter by Emily Jenkins, Are You Going to Be Good? by Cari Best, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, and Home on the Bayou, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book. He lives in the Hudson Valley of New York.