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Depending on when you catch her, Jessica Kopecky is a graphic designer, architectural photographer, mural artist, illustrator, craft pattern creator, wife and mom. While designing a stuffed toy inspired by her daughter, things got a little out of control until–whoops–she had developed an entire enchanted undersea world... and became an author-illustrator in the process.
Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite
Secret of the Starflower: Rainbow of Spectra is a work of children's fiction by author Jessica Kopecky. Sandy wasn’t like the rest of the seahorsicorns that she knew growing up in Spectra. While everyone at school had pretty colors and could vanish as a way to protect themselves against chomperfish, Sandy had a strange rainbow mane and couldn’t vanish at all. Instead of disappearing, a beautiful starflower would appear, much to her dismay. Because of her bright colors, Sandy had to remain hidden when she looked for food, and oftentimes she’d go hungry. When her hunger got the better of her, she’d join the other seahorsicorns to eat, but was often bullied and pushed away because of her colors and how she attracted chomperfish. When the mayor of Spectra came to her and told her it would be best if she left since she attracted too many chomperfish, she found herself in a lonely life, until she got a knock on her door and a letter from a seahorsicorn who loved adventure. The two continued to write to one another and a friendship was built. Would this newfound friend help Sandy come out of hiding, or will she remain in the cave where it was safe but lonely?
I thought Secret Of The Starflower was an emotive and enlightening read. Sandy's experience of being teased for being different is a subject that I can see kids understanding. It also teaches a very good lesson that being different isn’t a bad thing, and what makes us unlike others can be seen as a strength and not a weakness. The main character Sandy is very well written and a muse that the young reader will relate to. The illustrations are also beautifully done and fit perfectly with the storyline. They are bright and colorful which will also grasp and keep a child’s attention. I think Jessica Kopecky has done a wonderful job and I can’t wait to read Sandy the seahorsicorn’s next adventure.
