I was able to review Reach for the Stars by Emily Calandrelli and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The author reads this book. This is a lovely story of a mother with her little girl from newborn to fully grown. The mother encourages her little one to always be reaching for the next thing, even the stars are reachable.
Wonderfully written and great message.

Reach for the Stars is a story about a mother's love for her child, watching her as she grows and wishing for the best for her future. In an attempt to keep a lyrical quality to the book, the author chooses to rhyme, even when the word choice might not be the best. Additionally, there are words like curiosity embedded in the story which children will not know. I am not a fan of children's books with complicated words, as it takes the reader out of the story to explain the meaning to their young ones. The overall message of the story is one of hope and positivity, which is not unlike many other stories but well done, just the same.

The author narrates the audio version of her story, taking her time to enuciate and read each word with importance. It does seem a little long for a children's book while listening, but it is well narrated and soothing. Overall, Reach for the Stars gives hope for the future to both parents and their children, so I would recommend Reach for the Stars to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an opportunity to listen to an Advanced Audio Copy of Reach for the Stars, by NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio. The decision to choose this book was entirely my own.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a lot cooler and different than i thought, i liked how it watches the child grow! Really cute artwork and story. would buy.

I liked the music and sound effects accompanying the narration.
I wish I could've seen the pages since this is a picture book.
I did not love the baby noises in the background.

What an amazing little book. I listened to this with my daughters who love Emily’s Wonder Lab. They loved this book and so did I. There really is nothing to critique in this book. This has become a favorite and we will definitely buy a copy when it is released!

This audio book leaves children imagining what could be. I will be purchasing this book in print for my daughter. Loved the story.

I listened to the audio of "Reach for the Stars" by Emily Calendrelli and now I want to see the pictures. The author reads this book. This is a lovely story of a mother with her little girl from newborn to fully grown. There are sounds and music in the background which makes this even more magical. The mother encourages her little one to always be reaching for the next thing--even the stars are reachable. It rhymes but is not at all babyish--there are words like universe and curiosity. Really a sweet story for any young child.

Book was sweet with solid connections to life and science: only issue was it would have more impact as a book for children .

This super sweet audiobook by the star of “Emily’s wonder lab” is a treasure. It’s her words of wisdom to her daughter. I just listened to it with my six year old and three year old snuggling next to me. They were smiling as they listened to the seeet words of comfort and advice.

I could see myself gifting this to new mamas at baby showers. I wish I had this to read when my kiddos were just babies!

We’ve preordered our copy and can’t wait to see the beautiful illustrations that match the words. 😍

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced reader audiobook of this story.

Reach for the Stars
by Emily Calandrelli
Narrated by Emily Calandrelli

I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In my house we are big fans of Emily Calandrellis Netflix series - Emily’s Wonderlab so this was a no brainer request for me. As a boy mom I feel it is important to instill in my boys a level of respect for girls, women and all people that they will never question who’s more capable based on something as arbitrary as gender, even when a person is dealing with some of the more unique features of being female (for those that are not aware the show is a childrens science education show hosted by Emily while very pregnant and wearing hot pink overalls - like a boss).

This is the kind of book I would want to read to my kids, I would want them to know these things but I would get too choked up to actually read it so I’m very glad there’s an audiobook read along version. Since having kids I’ve never yet made it through a reading of love you forever. Though I know from following Emily on social media that it took her a couple tries to make it through as well. The sound effects are a great addition to bring notice to the actions on the page. The rhyming was solid and even when some words are too big for kiddos to grasp yet reading rhyming books to children nurtures basic language skills and builds a report with books that encourages life long reading and learning. This is a book that will grow with children through the years nuanced to reveal new insights as they grow and change.
5/5 Great book.

I LOVED this book! I was so excited to see it on my shelf and to get to share it with my kids! My little ones love Emily Calandrelli from the Netflix show Emily's Wonder Lab. It was such a sweet encouraging story that tugs at a Mom's heartstrings and kids alike.

This is a sweet note from parent/guardian to child about what the child will learn as they grow through childhood. The narrator was enjoyable, though I don’t think the baby babble in the background is necessary. I especially liked the part about how it is okay to be scared but don’t let fear stop you.

I don’t know about you, but my kids (and I) are big fans of Emily’s Wonder Lab and I also love Emily Calandrelli. I was so excited to get to listen to the audiobook!

Because I got an audiobook copy, I didn’t get to see all of the lovely illustrations. The words of the book are sweet and the audiobook is well done. I listened to it while my oldest was in a different room with a researcher and it gave me all the feels about him being grown up enough to go do that sort of thing without me.

I’m excited to put the picture book in my library when it comes out and try not to cry whenever I read it to my youngest two.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC audiobook!

Audiobook received for free through NetGalley

I absolutely loved this book! I had the audiobook and didn’t want to forget to “show” my kids so I turned it on while cleaning up the table and ended up putting off the dishes so we could finish it together and I could hear it clearly. It’s amazing. The audio includes baby sounds, giggles, etc that really set the stage. My girls (5 and 7) love it and I found it uplifting and tear inducing especially if you look at your kids while listening.

Thank you to Netgalley for the audio of this book. It was a super sweet book that has little bits of amazing encouragement sprinkled in throughout the book. The back ground noises fit in perfectly with the book. This is a sweet book that could be read to a baby all the way up through the lower grade levels.

This is a very sweet story from mother to child. It goes through all the milestones, talking about how they will help you along the way.

The audio is nice- it has background sound effects to enhance the story. It is well paced for a children's book, allowing for time to turn the page.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an audio copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book ! It reminds me of the song I hope you dance by Lee Ann Womack with all its pearls of wisdom. They are great little reminders of all the hopes, dreams and things every parent wants for their children. It’s a great reminder for all readers of all ages as well. It gave encouragement, joy and a sense of wanting to do more when I got done reading it. I would definitely buy this for the next baby shower or kids birthday party I get invited to. It would make a wonderful gift for anyone to give a child or new parent.

This being an audio book was nice but I would love to have seen the artwork with it too. The narrator I thought did a great job in reading it. Overall it was less than 10 min listen which is great for a children’s book like this one.

My kiddos (3 & 7) are huge Emily Calandrelli fans (c'mon we want a season 2 of Emily's Wonder Lab!) and we are a STEAM focused family.. so when approved for this book I just about jumped up and down, and we listened right away. This book is the most heartfelt love letter to her daughter, and from parents to children everywhere. Having it read by Emily herself was perfection - this mama was teary eyed by the end. I imagine the illustrations to be absolutely gorgeous if the cover is any indication. I will absolutely recommend this book, and will be adding it to future baby shower gifts! Love, love, LOVE!

Big thank you to Emily Calandrelli, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought the narrator for this audiobook was pretty good, though I think she could've been even more expressive for a children's book. To be fair, I'm not sure the book gives a ton to emphasize. I think the book itself was pretty generic; perhaps the illustrations are what make it great, but since this is an audiobook only I didn't see them. If the illustrations are what really makes this book I would suggest skipping the audiobook and just reading the physical book!