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Victoria Oltarsh is a native New Yorker who grew up playing in Central Park while visiting her grandparents who lived across the street. Now a mother and grandmother, she feels most comfortable in the delightful company of children. Victoria has spent her thirty-five-year career directing original and classical plays, teaching improv, story theater, and is a published lyricist on the song, “Lucky Charm,” produced by Grover Washington Jr.
Victoria is also a recipient of an individual artist grant from The Arts Council of Rockland. Her adaptations of classical fairy tales have been performed for students at school assembly programs by River Light Theater Adult Touring Company.
Whether as a teaching artist working for Arts in Ed agency in an underserved NYC public school, or teaching in private schools, summer programs, and art centers, Victoria loves to encourage children how to find their inner voice expressing themselves through the creative arts. Inspired by the universal wonder of the mystery of looking up at the stars, she is excited to share her space-fantasy adventure story with all.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Have you ever made a wish upon a star on a clear summer night? Has the wish come true? What if the wish sent you on an intergalactic adventure? In Victoria Gail Oltarsh’s The Boy and The Secret of the Stars, young Eli makes such a wish. He meets a star boy, Cygnus, and a princess, all on a grand quest to find answers about the meaning of the universe, how far it goes and so much more. “Wishing has great power,” he soon discovers and he does find some answers, but the most profound answer is that he shares a special bond with his brother, Jake, and he knows the importance of following his dreams, just like their father always said.
Victoria Gail Oltarsh’s early chapter book, The Boy and The Secret of the Stars, is a fascinating read that will attract even the most resistant young reader. The language is simple to help youngsters follow along easily and to improve their reading skills. The narrative is well constructed with just enough description to set the stage without overwhelming the young reader. Dialogue is used effectively and the plot moves along quickly. Eli doesn’t find all the answers he seeks, but there are key messages in this simple, yet exciting story: messages about family, friends, following one’s dreams, and, perhaps most importantly, that even though we might be different in many ways, we really are all the same. At the end of each chapter, the author quotes a key point that was made in the chapter. For example, Eli’s response in the last chapter reiterates the importance of recognizing our differences while accepting our sameness: “Even though we are different, you and I are really the same.” I loved the story and the illustrations.
