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Florian, D. (2007). Comets, stars, the moon, and Mars. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc.
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Florian shares many facts about comets, stars, the moon, and Mars through the use of poetry. There are 20 poems for a young astronomer to enjoy while they explore the colorful illustrations. The book gives many facts about our solar system including A Galactic Glossary.
My Impression:
What a great way to learn about our solar system than through these wonderful poems. Children will enjoy the illustrations throughout this great book. Florian exposes children to the use of poetry through a subject that children take great delight in.
Reviews:
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars
Booklist
Gr. 3-5. This large-format book looks at astronomy through the magnifying, clarifying lens of poetry. Each broad double-page spread features a short, accessible poem about a subject such as the sun, each of its planets, a comet, a constellation, or the universe, set within an impressive painting. A concrete poem entitled "a galaxy" is a curling spiral of words set against the midnight-blue sky and surrounded by other galaxies. Stamped type, cutout pages, collage elements with printed papers, and sweeping brushstrokes all figure prominently in the expressive collage artwork, which ably illustrates the verse. The last pages carry "A Galactic Glossary" with a paragraph on the topic of each poem, followed by a list of books and Web sites. Florian's ode to Pluto matter-of-factly notes its demoted status, but even better is his pithy poem on Jupiter: "Jupiter's jumbo, / Gigantic, / Immense, / So wide / Side to side, / But gaseous, not dense. / With some sixteen moons / It's plainly prolific-- / So super-dupiter / Jupiterrific!" Read this aloud.
Phelan, C. (2007). Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars. Booklist, 103(15), 50.
Suggested Library:
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars could be used as a study of poetry to illustrate the different ways poems can be used and written. Children who might be resistant to poetry should enjoy this book and see how great poetry can be.