A Fairy Tale where dreams come true and imagination has no limits.
It was only a child’s dream. A dream about a horse with wings, one powerful enough to fly up and away into the midnight-blue velvet sky. It was Ella’s dream. She wished for a horse just like her favorite constellation, Pegasus—the winged horse of the stars.
Before long, Ella’s dream came true. One special horse appeared; Little Feat was his name. He was very gentle, with a silky brown coat and a sparkle in his eyes. A curious star shone on his flank—and he could fly! And so, beneath a sky sprinkled with stars and a glowing moon, Ella and Little Feat soared away together on the most magical journey.
It was a dream come true.
Coming soon to your local independent bookstore
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About the Illustrator
Paolo D’altan
I was born in Milan, Italy, where I work and live with my family (human and feline). When I was little, my father designed planes for my brothers and myself, and our “American aunt” gifted us our portraits on huge sheets of paper, which definitely had some influence on us; I was always drawing abstruse cartoons with my brothers. When I think of the illustrations from my childhood and adolescence, what comes to mind is an exhaustive, though not exactly chronological, list of colorful illustrations of underwater life, famous illustrators from Italy and elsewhere, and cinema in general. I thought I’d become a cartoonist, and for years, I drew only in black and white. After studying the classics in high school, art school introduced me to colors, and from then on, I haven’t stopped experimenting with diverse, expressive possibilities through traditional and digital techniques.
After studying classically and teaching myself fundamentally, I approached color by studying illustration in the fantastic setting of Castello Sforzesco in Milan. I have been working for advertising agencies in Italy, magazines, publishers, and illustrating children’s books and classic novels, affirming myself as one of the leading Italian illustrators. My work has been featured in both Italian and international exhibitions and selected and awarded in illustration annuals. I have served as President of the Italian Association of Illustrators.
Reviews
What They’re Saying About the Book
Olsten’s sequel to Big Wishes for Little Feat continues the enduring bond between Ella, a young American girl living with her great-aunt in Belgium, and her horse, Little Feat. Though Little Feat has an impressive pedigree, he is too small to be considered a prize horse. But looking up to the stars and viewing the Pegasus constellation gives him hope “that someday—somehow—he might meet the magnificent horse in the night sky.” One evening, that wish comes true, and Ella and Little Feat magically take to the skies and revel in the splendor of the cosmos. Yet as they soar through space, Ella begins to feel homesick and comes up with a brilliant idea: enter Little Feat in a derby, win the prize money, and fly back to America to visit her parents.
Paolo d’Altan’s illustrations of Ella and Little Feat’s adventures gorgeously capture their starlit journey in whimsical renderings that add tangible depth to the magic of Olsten’s heartfelt tale. Young readers will relish the fantastical images of animals and other wonders in Germany’s Black Forest as well, playing out in scenes reminiscent of classical Disney fare, as Ella and Little Feat gallop through twirling leaves and billowing tree limbs. Olsten adds a shiver of suspense to the story’s otherworldly magic when Little Feat is kidnapped in the forest, separating him from Ella and launching a courageous quest to reunite.
Thankfully, the story has a happy ending, with Ella and Little Feat learning that no dream is unreachable and “sometimes, the greatest adventures begin when we don’t know what comes next—but we follow our hearts anyway.” For children and families who adore the equestrian world—and the blurred lines between dreams and reality—Olsten’s picture book is a hopeful, aesthetically striking tribute to the value of friendship and doing what you love.
Takeaway: Starlit journey of a girl and her horse exploring the cosmos.
Comparable Titles: 5 Bros Publishing’s Greg the Fast, Lorie List’s The Smallest Horse.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Readers Choice 5 star review
Cheryl Olsten’s My Lucky Star is a delightful story that invites young readers into a world where wishes come true and the impossible becomes real. When Ella reunites with Little Feat, the small yet extraordinary horse, the story brims with joy, wonder, and excitement as they soar through the night sky, chasing constellations and discovering new lands. The bond between Ella and Little Feat is heartwarming, full of affection, trust, and unspoken understanding. This is an illustrated fable, and Paolo d’Altan shows phenomenal artistry in a palette of gorgeous earth and jewel tones and a style reminiscent of classic children’s literature. Olsten’s storytelling is charming, filled with surprising twists and magical moments that will leave readers smiling, laughing, and cheering for these unforgettable companions. My Lucky Star celebrates friendship, dreams, and the magic that can be found in unexpected places. Very highly recommended.
