130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Overnight NZ-wide delivery 🚀 | Visit our Auckland bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

The Starmaker

By Catherine Doyle
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
A magical and uplifting story from a prize-winning author-illustrator duo, celebrating the importance of intergenerational friendships and the beauty in passing on treasured traditions. In the little town of Gloam, every child receives their own special star from the Starmaker when they are born. Stella’s star... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$5499
Pre-order
Releases 3rd November 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "The Starmaker" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

A magical and uplifting story from a prize-winning author-illustrator duo, celebrating the importance of intergenerational friendships and the beauty in passing on treasured traditions.

A magical and uplifting story from a prize-winning author-illustrator duo, celebrating the importance of intergenerational friendships and the beauty in passing on treasured traditions.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A magical and uplifting story from a prize-winning author-illustrator duo, celebrating the importance of intergenerational friendships and the beauty in passing on treasured traditions.

In the little town of Gloam, every child receives their own special star from the Starmaker when they are born. Stella’s star is her best friend, with a knack for adventure and a sixth sense for danger. Together they learn to ride a bike, build a fort and make the best ooey-gooey chocolate cake. And if Stella ever feels sad, her star sits very close to her heart to comfort her.

When Stella’s tiny baby brother Leo won’t stop crying and no-one can work out why, it’s her star that nudges Stella to try and solve the mystery. Together they go on a journey into the deepest corners of Gloam to find a person who not only knows how to help baby Leo, but who also holds the key to Stella’s special, starry destiny...

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526653116

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 October 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Paddy Donnelly
  • Illustrated by Paddy Donnelly

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 6.0mm

Width: 234.0mm

Height: 296.0mm

Weight: 206g

Pages: 32

Collections

Catherine Doyle Children's Books Children's Picture Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Kids & YA Pre-orders Pre-order Books Pre-Order Children's Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date

About the Author

Catherine Doyle grew up beside the Atlantic Ocean in the west of Ireland. Her love of reading began with great Irish myths and legends, and fostered in her an ambition to one day write her own. She is the author of the YA Blood for Blood trilogy and The Storm Keeper’s Island, and lives in Galway.

Paddy Donnelly is a bestselling author and illustrator who grew up on the beautiful north coast of Ireland. He has published over 25 picture books, including The Golden Hare, which was awarded the Children’s Book of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024. Paddy has twice been nominated for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration.

Also by Catherine Doyle

View all
  • On Sale
    17% off
    Vendetta
    Romeo and Juliet meets The Godfather in this electrifying YA mafia romance. When five mysterious and dangerously handsome Italian brothers suddenly move into town, Sophie’s summer break starts to get a lot more interesting… Irresistibly drawn to Nic, Sophie realises that his bad boy attitude is not an act – the Falcone family are, in fact, an infamous mafia clan....
    By Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2400
    Usually:
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Mafiosa
    The epic conclusion to Blood for Blood, the cinematic YA mafia romance trilogy. Sophie now lives a dangerous double life, pretending to be a regular teenager while training as a deadly assassin in secret. But the deceit can’t last for ever. Sophie’s heart belongs to a killer, and she’s the prime target of a rival clan. Determined to seek revenge,...
    By Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Inferno
    Inferno is the gripping second instalment in Blood for Blood, the heart-racing YA mafia romance trilogy. Sophie is determined to piece her life back together, but it’s not easy to untangle herself from the dangerous Falcone brothers… Nic won’t give up on their love, and it’s Luca’s knife she clutches for comfort. It’s not long before Sophie finds herself torn...
    By Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Dagger and the Flame
    From the number one bestselling author Catherine Doyle comes the most fiery enemies-to-lovers romantasy of the year. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo and Stephanie Garber. In the dark underbelly of a beautiful city, two rival assassins are pitted against each other in a deadly game of revenge, where the most dangerous mistake of all is falling...
    By Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Burning Crowns
    The perfect YA fantasy romance from the bestselling Twin Crowns series – deeply romantic and bursting with high-stakes adventure! Praise for the Twin Crowns series: “Twin Crowns cast a spell on me from the very first pages – I was thoroughly bewitched by this marvelous book! Don’t miss it!” – SARAH J MAAS ‘Magical, clever, surprising and pure fun. If...
    By Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Twin Crowns
    The instant top ten Sunday Times bestseller. The perfect YA romantic fantasy! “Twin Crowns cast a spell on me from the very first pages – I was thoroughly bewitched by this marvelous book! Don’t miss it!” – SARAH J. MAAS ‘Magical, clever, surprising and pure fun. If you love wicked kings, sexy bandits and sister stories that are full of...
    By Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2299
    (1)
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Cursed Crowns
    The second book in the gorgeous and bestselling Twin Crowns YA romantasy series – deeply romantic and bursting with high-stakes adventure! Praise for the Twin Crowns series: “Twin Crowns cast a spell on me from the very first pages – I was thoroughly bewitched by this marvellous book! Don’t miss it!” – SARAH J MAAS ‘Magical, clever, surprising and pure...
    By Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Rebel and the Rose
    The path of destiny burns with love, magic and betrayal… From a remote hilltop haven, far from the city of Fantome, Seraphine Marchant and her Order of Flames plot to eradicate shade magic with lightfire. But as Sera struggles to control her blooming powers, destiny calls her back to Fantome, and to the assassin who haunts her dreams. Ransom Hale...
    By Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Pirates of Darksea
    ‘Utterly brilliant. Sensationally swashbuckling. Completely magical’ – A.F Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief From the award-winning author of The Storm Keeper's Island, set sail on Catherine Doyle's latest perilous adventure to the magical islands of Darksea. Deep in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, where the full moon rests on the horizon, lies a secret kingdom called...
    By Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $1899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Lost Girl King
    ‘The Lost Girl King echoes Lord of the Rings and Narnia, whilst being original and fresh. It’s sure to become a classic of its own’ - Aisha Bushby, author of A Pocketful of Stars‘A glorious gulp of a summer adventure’ - Piers Torday, author of The Lost Wild‘Nobody writes peril, wit and wonder as well as Catherine Doyle … a...
    By Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Storm Keeper’s Island
    WINNER OF THE BAMB YOUNG READERS – MIDDLE GRADE AWARD 2018WINNER OF THE INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP WEEK BOOK AWARD 2019'Magical in every way' - EOIN COLFERWhen Fionn Boyle sets foot on Arranmore Island, it begins to stir beneath his feet ...Once in a generation, Arranmore Island chooses a new Storm Keeper to wield its power and keep its magic safe from...
    By Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $1899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • King of Beasts
    The slow-burn icy YA romance spin-off to the Sunday Times bestselling fantasy series, Twin Crowns. Perfect for fans of Powerless and Throne of Glass!❄️ KING ALARIK FELSING. A LONE WOLF. A FROZEN HEART … Deep in the mountains of a snow-swept kingdom, an ancient beast is stirring. When a beautiful young wrangler arrives to try and tame it, she is...
    By Catherine Doyle
    Paperback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    By Julia Donaldson
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Lottie Brooks’s Twelve Disasters of Christmas
    From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! But this time... it's not about Lottie! From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! And it's CHRISTMAS! In The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks we spent the holiday season with...
    By Katie Kirby
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Wahine
    New Release
    Wahine
    From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....
    By Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Sweet As Looky Book
    New Release
    The Sweet As Looky Book
    Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...
    By Donovan Bixley
    Hardback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster
    Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...
    By Sam Smith
    Paperback
    $1400
    Elsewhere:
    $1499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Mari the Unwonderful Witch
    A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...
    By Asako Yuzuki
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Comeback Kid
    Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...
    By Airana Ngarewa
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Millie from Milford
    New Release
    Millie from Milford
    Based on the true story of Ruth Shaw and her husband Lance looking after a baby seal that had been shot between the eyes. Millie from Milford lives in Milford Sound, the number one tourist destination in Aotearoa New Zealand. After Millie was checked by a vet, she was taken to Ruth and Lance's home to be looked after until...
    By Ruth Shaw
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    New Release
    The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    But disaster strikes when guitarist Jack breaks his wrist and can no longer play. On top of that, all their hard work fundraising has fallen short! When help comes from unexpected channels, the Velvets make it to the Big Apple just in time to compete against the best kid bands in the whole world, including their new rivals the Blazer...
    By Rachael King
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all