Thousand Star Hotel - Hardcover

As childhood friends growing up in Denver, CO, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing were always exploring the outdoors. Whether it was rafting down their neighborhood creek or discovering hiking trails through the Rocky Mountains, Joe and Justin were born adventurers. They started playing music together in high school, and now, as the Grammy® Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, they have put their passion for the outdoors at the heart of their Americana folk music.
Joe and Justin make family music and write stories with a goal to inspire families to get outside and get creative. They believe this can motivate families to gain a greater respect for the natural world, for their communities, and for themselves. Learn more about them at okeedokee.org.
 
Brandon Reese created the distinctive cover artwork for The Okee Dokee Brothers’ albums, and is also the illustrator for a number of clients including Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., eeBoo, BOOM! Studios, and more. Brandon lives in NC with his wife and young son. Learn more about him online at brandonreese.com.

Gr 1–3—A fun, folksy twist on "The Fisherman and His Wife." Every day, two muskrats leave their ramshackle cabin to go fishing. Mr. Muskrat hopes that they'll catch enough fish to make them rich. His wife just hopes they'll catch their dinner. One day, Mr. Muskrat hooks a magic catfish who promises them a wish if they'll let him go. While Mrs. Muskrat wants to wish for practical things, her husband has more extravagant ideas: a big house, then a mansion, then a 1,000-star hotel. The catfish says the magic words, and the muskrats rush off to see if their wish has been granted. Instead, they find their same ramshackle cabin; the only difference is that the old willow tree out front has fallen down. Mr. Muskrat is upset until they go inside and discover that the hole in their roof allows them to see a thousand stars above their heads. Awed by the beauty, Mr. Muskrat realizes what his wife knew all along—that they only ever needed the simple things. The illustrations are distinct and add to the Americana flavor of the story. The language is lively and complements the visuals. Children will delight in reciting the catfish's magic words each time. This title is more suited for slightly older readers, as some pages are lengthier than others. This offering also comes with a 12-track CD of original Okee Dokee Brothers songs (one track is also the audio recording of the book, which is helpful for beginning readers who want to follow along). The songs are fun additions and would be enjoyable during dance-specific programs or as a way to end storytime. VERDICT A charming retelling of a traditional tale, suitable for storytime or independent reading.—Paige Garrison, The Davis Academy, Sandy Springs, GA