Listen Back: Frané Lessac shares Under the Southern Cross and Under the Milky Way

Original Air Date: January 20, 2020

Frané Lessac shares UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS and UNDER THE MILKY WAY. Frané has made many beautiful books, but it was Traci Sorell’s debut picture book, WE ARE GRATEFUL: OTSALIHELIGA, in 2018 that really made me sit up and pay attention. Today Frané brings two picture books about the stars, both sharing a U.S. publication date. Frané tours the northern skies over our United States in UNDER THE MILKY WAY, highlighting different activities and occurrences that happen beneath the stars. In UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS she turns to the southern skies and a series of stars that point to True South. There are tiny turtles scrambling down the beach, shooting stars, clouds of bats, Nations coming together, and even a staircase of gold, and they are all visible beneath our skies. It’s enough to make anyone want to get out a night and experience all that’s going on in the world.

Listen along:

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Beneath a blanket of stars, crowds cheer at Little League games, campers share fireside stories, bull-riders hold on tight, and sled dogs race through falling snow — all under the Milky Way. Vivid artwork, engaging verses, and facts about the United States and Canada will captivate readers of all ages in a joyful offering from Frané Lessac.

 After nightfall in Australia, families watch movies as bats flit overhead, mysterious orbs of light bounce across the outback, a staircase to the moon appears reflected at the ocean’s edge, and a Ferris wheel offers a citywide view — all under the Southern Cross. Bright and colorful artwork, fascinating natural phenomena, and shared experiences connect people across the country in Frané Lessac’s fascinating tour of Australia at night.

SHOW NOTES:

• Frané Lessac (website)