The One And Only Dylan St. Claire

by Kamen Edwards, Jeffrey Ebbeler (Illustrator)

Overview

Meet elementary school superstar Dylan St. Claire in this laugh-out-loud book about a live-out-loud boy.

Dylan's getting ready to audition for the school play, a musical about outer space, and he's got his sights set on playing the star . . . figuratively and literally. But when he ends up being cast as a squirrel, the real theatrics begin. Follow this extremely secure and unique boy through his daily dramas as he tackles each dilemma with pizzazz and skill.

Giving a fabulous voice to the kind of boys who are under-represented in children's books, Dylan St. Claire confidently walks between "masculine" and "feminine" behavior: He cries openly and expresses his emotions but also cracks jokes and finds his inner strength when the going gets rough. Full of laughs and a one-of-a-kind character kids will cheer for, this hilarious story is a celebration of individuality, persistence, overcoming disappointment, and what it takes to be a true star.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781984893468
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	05/05/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	635,486
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD560L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

KAMEN EDWARDS is an actor, writer, producer, and children's book author. Kamen's acting credits include guest star slots on Modern Family, Young & Hungry, and Big Time Rush, as well as guest appearances in sketches for Conan O'Brien, Attack of the Show, and X-Play. As a writer for TV and film, Kamen has created several sitcoms pilots with his unique voice, humor, and point of view on LGBTQ+ issues.

JEFFREY EBBELER has been creating award winning art for children for over a decade. He has illustrated more than 40 children's books including James Patterson's New York Times bestseller Laugh Out Loud, Tiger in My Soup, Ellie May on President's Day, and When Bill Gates Memorized an Encyclopedia. He is also the author and illustrator of Click and George the Hero Hound. Visit him at jeffillustration.com.

Editorial Reviews

05/01/2020

K-Gr 2—When self-proclaimed star Dylan St. Claire is cast as a squirrel in his school's outer space play, he is very disappointed about his perceived rejection. A shy classmate convinces Dylan that the squirrel (an astronaut) is a very important role in the production, and from there on out he embraces it wholeheartedly. In this debut, Edwards presents Dylan as a zippy, clever character who is endearing and has a flair for the dramatic. Ebbeler's acrylic full spreads are bright and colorful, and include a diverse cast of characters. In the end, Dylan makes the role of the squirrel his own and his uniqueness is celebrated in the closing line. Perhaps there's another lesson in the fact that he steals the spotlight from his less outgoing friends who were given more coveted roles. VERDICT A pleasant story for outgoing children and natural born scene-stealers, though educators may want to point out that everyone deserves the opportunity to shine.—Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

School Library Journal

2020-02-09
The stars shine brightly for a boy who knows he is destined to twinkle and sparkle.

Dylan is one exuberant boy who is certain of his destiny: He will be “The Star” (literally) in the starring role of his school play about the solar system. He is well-trained in dance, song, and mime (with nods to Gypsy and Reba McIntyre) and quite comfortable with his talent. Alas, his teacher is assigning the roles, and Dylan is to play the role of the “SQUIRREL?!” Utter despair ensues even as the other students rejoice in their parts as objects in outer space. But then Dylan runs into the kid playing the role of Saturn, who is clearly unhappy with having to perform at all but convinces Dylan that the role of the squirrel is “the best part of the show!” After all, how many squirrels have ventured into space? Dylan interviews the local squirrels and is determined, thereafter, to be the “first squirrel-stronaut” ever. Yes, it is finally stardom. Edwards’ little tale of a stage-struck boy may resonate with other wannabe performers and should entertain even those who prefer sitting in the audience. Ebbeler’s bright and colorful illustrations fill the pages with action, their slight exaggerations appropriately histrionic, while leaving room for large speech bubbles for the characters’ dialogue. Dylan presents white, and his classmates are a diverse mix.

School-age dreams of acting can come true. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews

"Edwards’ debut provides a genuine and uniquely fabulous role model for children of all gender identities who delight in the performing arts. . . . Young readers will be motivated to reevaluate their understanding of belonging, teamwork, and personal pride." —Booklist

“The stars shine brightly for a boy who knows he is destined to twinkle and sparkle. . . . School-age dreams of acting can come true.” —Kirkus Reviews

"In his picture book debut, actor, writer, and producer Edwards aims the spotlight on a confident young triple threat with a refreshing emotional range that defies gendered expectations. . . . A humorous book that will resonate with budding dramatists, and a good reminder for young readers: one doesn’t have to be a star to shine." —Publishers Weekly

“In this debut, Edwards presents Dylan as a zippy, clever character who is endearing and has a flair for the dramatic. Ebbeler’s acrylic full spreads are bright and colorful, and include a diverse cast of characters. . . . A pleasant story for outgoing children and natural born scene-stealers." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher