Milly, Molly and Betelgeuse

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Year: 2003

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 5 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Early Readers

ISBN: 978-1-87733-679-3

The title of this book sounded quite intriguing and I had to read it right away.The fact that the cover features Milly and Molly admiring a guinea pig only added to the mystery.

Betelgeuse is, in fact, the ninth brightest star (according to Wikipedia) visible to human eyes.

Milly and Molly are friendly with an extended family of guinea pigs that live in the corner of a garden. The young ones have adorable names like Sweet Pea, Chestnut, Snowdrop, Bluebell and yes, Betelgeuse.

Betelgeuse does not feel special because Ma Guinea knows the story behind everyone else’s name except his. Until, Milly and Molly inadvertently discover the meaning and finally, Betegeuse feels special.

I truly loved the way how, each night, Ma Guinea made every young one in her family feel special. I read this book and realized that, as parents, we are entrusted with the responsibility to make our children feel special, every day of their lives.

Excerpt

That night, after Ma Guinea had bedded the little guinea pigs, she began…

“Betelgeuse. Among the millions upon millions of stars in the sky, there is only one little star that can wave and twinkle and twinkle and wave and catch your attention every time. Its name is Betelgeuse.”

“Betelgeuse,” she said. “You are special.”