6/28/25 Author/Illustrator Laura Smetana Launches Latest Children's Book at Frugal Muse Books in Darien, IL from 10:30-Noon includes Storytime & Activities

Join children's book author-illustrator Laura Smetana to celebrate the launch of her new children's book, My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky, the stunning companion to the award-winning, Kirkus-starred, My Love for You Is Like a Garden!

Saturday, June 28, 2025 10:30 am - 12 pm Frugal Muse Books 7511 Lemont Rd. Darien, IL 60561The event will kick off with a storytime and behind-the-scenes look at how Laura created the vivid cut-paper watercolor collages, followed by an in-store scavenger hunt, night sky activities, and book signing. Free and fun for the whole family!

Activities Include:

●     Storytime with author-illustrator Laura Smetana

●     Behind-the-Scenes Illustration Talk

●     In-Store Scavenger Hunt

●     Night Sky Activities

●     Books Available for Purchase & Signing

●     Take-home glow-in-the-dark stars! (while supplies last)

ABOUT THE BOOK: With vivid watercolor collages, My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky, is the stunning companion to the award-winning book, My Love for You Is Like a Garden, named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2023.Say "I love you" at bedtime or anytime with this lyrical story that celebrates love with bold, colorful illustrations of stars, planets, and galaxies.

As they look up at the stars, a child's mother explains that her love is like the night sky. It glows with pride like the full moon, is as radiant as a meteor shower, and as vast as our solar system.Readers of all ages will be inspired to step outside to marvel at the wonders of the night sky together-and maybe even spot a shooting star. Children will delight in learning the names of the planets in our solar system, the phases of the moon, and more in the glossary.

A beautiful book to share with anyone you love! "This book opens in a similar manner to the author/illustrator’s Kirkus-starred earlier work, My Love for You Is Like a Garden (2023), with its titular sentence, followed by nonrhyming text—this time, inviting readers to imagine affection on a scale of the vastness of space… beautiful, with intricate compositions reminiscent of Eric Carle’s work.”  —Kirkus Reviews ABOUT THE AUTHOR (An American book review magazine.)

ILLUSTRATOR: Laura Smetana is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. She loves creating bright, joyful cut-paper watercolor collages inspired by nature. Her latest author-illustrated book, My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky, is the companion to her Kirkus-starred, My Love for You Is Like a Garden, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2023. She is also the author of Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer's & Dementia (illustrated by Elisabete B. P. de Moraes), and Little Squiggle's Lake Adventure, which she co-authored with her son.

When she isn't writing or painting, Laura can be found inspiring kids to create their own books at school author visits, teaching collage art, and going on walks to find the moon with her family. Laura lives in the Chicago suburbs and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Downers Grove Artists' Guild, and the Nature Artists' Guild of The Morton Arboretum.

For more information visit: www.laurasmetana.com/events