Illustrated bedtime story
The Star in the Jam Jar
Ages 4 to 84 mins62 pagesEnglish
When Grandmother’s knitted sky drops a tiny star into Amaya’s garden, she keeps it safe in a jam jar, and learns what a friend needs to shine.
- Feels like
- GentleDreamyReflective
- About
- KindnessEmpathyManaging feelingsChange
You’ll create a free account first, then choose a plan.
Read the story
What to expect
A luminous, unhurried bedtime tale with repeated sounds, cozy rooftop scenes, and a tender emotional thread. Families may appreciate Amaya’s careful attention to a small visitor and her grandmother’s calm, loving guidance.
In a little village between green hills and the sea, everyone knew a wonderful secret. The night sky was knitted! Every sunset, Amaya's grandmother climbed to the rooftop. She sat down in her purple rooftop chair.
Tick, tick, tick went her long silver needles. She knitted soft purple dusk across the sky. Then she stitched bright stars into the deep blue night. Amaya sat at Grandmother's feet and watched the sky grow.
Read the rest of the story
"How do you know where each star goes?" asked Amaya. Grandmother smiled, "I've done it a few times before." "Ah... ah... CHOO!" sneezed Grandmother. Oh no!
One little stitch came loose high above the mango tree. "Oh dear, I've dropped one," said Grandmother. "Dropped one what?" asked Amaya. Something sparkly came tumbling out of the sky.
It bounced off a cloud and skimmed the rooftop. Plomp! Amaya ran down into the garden. The mango tree glowed all around her.
Right in the branches sat a star the size of a mango. The little star trembled. "Hello, are you hurt?" asked Amaya. She cupped the little star in both hands.
It felt warm like fresh bread. "Don't worry, I've got you," said Amaya. She lined a clean jam jar with the softest cotton wool. She placed the star in the jar on her bedside table.
Silver and gold light filled Amaya's room. "You can stay with me," whispered Amaya. Then she fell asleep in a pool of starlight. The next day, Amaya showed the star her seashells.
She read it her favorite book. At lunch, the star made the water in Amaya's cup sparkle. On the second night, the star lit only half the room. "You're probably just tired," said Amaya.
On the third night, the star looked gray and quiet. "What's wrong, little star?" asked Amaya. The star gave its smallest twinkle ever. Amaya climbed to Grandmother with the jar in her arms.
"My star is going out," said Amaya. Grandmother put down her needles and looked closely. "A fish can visit your hands, but it cannot live there." "Fish need water, and stars need sky."
The little star pressed itself against the glass. Amaya understood, even though her chest hurt. "It has to go back." "Shall we do it together?" asked Grandmother.
Tick, tick, tick went the needles again. Grandmother opened one small pocket in the night. She held the little star against her cheek one last time. "You were the best nightlight, but you're a star."
Amaya rose onto her tiptoes and let go. For one heartbeat, the star simply floated. Fsssshh! The bright star spun one happy loop around the chimney.
Grandmother knitted the sky snug around it. "Better," said Amaya. Of all the stars, one shone a little brighter than the rest. Every night, Amaya looked out her window for her friend.
"Goodnight, star," she said. The best place to keep a star is the sky outside your window.
The End
Play storyMore bedtime stories
The free ones come first. All you need is an account.
