Oct 242013
A Child’s Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations–and How You Can Find Them in the Sky
Children eight and up will enjoy this conversational but information-packed introduction to astronomy and stargazing, which includes the achievements of the great scientists, the history of space exploration, the story of our solar system, the myths behind the constellations, and how to navigate the night sky. Whimsical color illustrations on every page and handy definitions and sidebars help engage younger readers and develop their interest. The special star wheel helps locate stars and planets
List Price: $ 19.95
Price: $ 4.91
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Intended for Children Ages 9 – 12 , but a Fine Backup Guide for Adults!,
A CHILD’S INTRODUCTION TO THE NIGHT SKY is one of those ‘children’s books’ that should be read by the adults before passing it along! There is much to learn in this colorful, artistic and very informative survey of the stars, making many of the legends behind the constellations and mythologically named configuration of stars easy to visualize and understand. It is bound to provoke questions from the ‘child readers’, making adult homework or refresher course a must.
Writer Michael Driscoll thankfully does not ‘dumb down’ his readers but rather stimulates with concise and informed language. After an interesting Welcome to the Universe, he divides the book into sections: What’s Up There – both what we can see and what we can’t see; and Exploring What’s Up There – what astronomers and astronauts do and what the reader can do. He then outlines a brief history of space, maps of the night skies, and adds succinct histories of the mythological characters for whom the star configurations are named.
Accompanying this informative and entertaining take on the night sky is the artwork of Meredith Hamilton that goes beyond illustration into the science of depiction of stars. Included in the book are glow in the dark sticker packs and ‘star finders’ that, while they may cheapen the book for adults, they probably will please the younger brother and sisters in the family. For an outing of learning about the stars this is a very good beginning – for everyone! Grady Harp, March 06
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great astronomy 101 for the middle school and older child,
The subtitle of the book is the Story of the Stars, Planets and Constellations — and How You Can Find Them in the Sky. It should read The Stars, The Planets, the Astronomers, the Universe and Everything. The books has definitions, factoids, readable text, stories, illustrations, pictures, a star wheel/star finder, stickers and everything that has anything to do with our world and our universe. Not for small children (too much text/ too much information), but the best introduction to astronomy I have seen for middle school and older children presented in a very very approachable/ user friendly format. Well done!
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A Childs Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations and How You Can Find them in the sky,
This was a birthday present for my great nephew. The book comes with stars to put on the ceiling of the room which he just went crazy for. He finds the book challenging as he is in the 1st grade but reads 3rd and this is a 5th grade book. He loves it and it goes really well with his telecope. I recommend this book for those children who are into the sky.
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