Author and musician Antonio Michael Downing's debut picture book is about big changes and big feelings, and speaks to all kids experiencing the highs and lows of childhood.

Little Tony is full of love for his grandmother, his home in Trinidad and delicious pholourie. But he's also full of other big feelings, including anger. His grandmother tries to teach him to be patient — patience is a star in his crown, she says — but it's hard.

He tries to keep his anger in, but when he loses at ping-pong to his brother or he has to come in from playing . . . Yaaarrgh!

When Little Tony and his brother move away from their beloved Trinidad, there's even more for him to be upset about. His new home is cold, full of new people, and there's no pholourie anywhere! Yaaarrgh!

But then he remembers his grandmother's lessons, and a surprising thing happens . . .

A charming and heartwarming story based on the author's own childhood, Stars In My Crown is an ode to big feelings but even bigger triumphs.

Antonio Michael Downing's profile page

Richy Sánchez Ayala's profile page

ANTONIO MICHAEL DOWNING spends his time writing books, singing songs, and trying to make his Grandma proud. The Taylor Prize named him one of Canada's best emerging authors. His acclaimed memoir Saga Boy was called by Giller winner Ian Williams "the triumph of Blackness everywhere…” His debut children’s book, Stars In My Crown is out now, and his debut novel for adults, Black Cherokee, is coming out in 2025. He writes and performs music as John Orpheus.

RICHY SANCHEZ AYALA was born in the Dominican Republic. He has learned to appreciate his beloved slice of paradise but also to seek out new horizons. He works in fine art, illustration, visual development and animation; regardless of what he's working on, the child in him always manages to sneak in. He currently lives in San Francisco.

"[A] heartwarming story that introduces Canadian readers to the experiences of immigrant children. Highly recommended." —CM: Canadian Review of Materials