HOME | A. Kidd, children's author

The Healing Star

Stars with healing powers are falling from the sky.

Feisty fourth-grader Julia’s best friend in the entire universe is her grandmother. Julia and Grammu share secrets while cooking soup together, stay up late eating junk food and watching scary movies, and go stargazing on Blackberry Hill. They even wish on the same star every night.

But everything changes when Grammu catches the disappearing disease: little by little, she’s turning invisible. If Julia can catch a falling star, then her wish to save Grammu will come true. All Julia needs to do now is find the legendary ladder to the stars…

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Yasuko and the

Dream Eater

Picture book inspired by a Japanese legend.

Yasuko has the same bad dream every night while visiting her grandmother in

Japan, so her grandmother suggests she call the dream eater for help. When the dream eater is still hungry after devouring Yasuko’s nightmare, Yasuko must stop

it from gobbling up her good dream too.

This book includes an author's note, cultural note, and instructions for making origami. It will help kids dealing with nightmares as well as celebrate what it

means to be part of a bicultural family. It's a little bit scary, a little bit funny, and

full of heart!

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What People Are Saying About The Healing Star:

“Julia’s fantastical adventure will make your eyes twinkle. Readers will root for Julia on every step of her journey.” –Kristin Bartley Lenz, author of The Art of Holding On and Letting Go

"This magical tale of the love between a girl and her grandmother will draw you in and warm your heart." –Jill Webb, Children’s Librarian, Farmington Community Library

“An outstanding debut novel. Julia is a spunky heroine who will capture your attention as she embarks on a star-catching mission to save her grandmother.” –Susan Dion, Library Specialist, Youth Services, Baldwin Public Library

“A. Kidd cultivates a special sense of magic in following Julia's struggles against the odds.” –D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

What People Are Saying About Yasuko and the Dream Eater:

“This gentle story with its dreamy illustrations shares the loving connection between grandparents and their grandchildren, while celebrating differences in cultural experiences. Yasuko learns to trust her ability to overcome challenges and discovers that love and support are universal.” —Jane Nagle, retired MEd, Early Childhood Intervention Specialist, Sylvania Public Schools

“In a world of ever-mixing cultures, Yasuko and the Dream Eater perfectly combines Japanese folklore with a modern twist. Yasuko, like many children, struggles to balance familial customs with those of their grandparents while tackling bedtime fears.” —Anita Pazner, MFA, author of The Topsy-Turvy Bus

“Yasuko bravely faces her nightmares with the help of kindly Baku, the bad dream eater. This sweet and imaginative tale will delight young readers with its beautiful illustrations and gentle prose. The perfect bedtime story to comfort little ones having trouble falling asleep.” —Susan Dion, Library Specialist, Youth Services, Baldwin Public Library

"Libraries and adults looking for multicultural stories that explore being part of two different cultures will find that Yasuko and the Dream Eater gives rise to many discussion points and insights." —D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review