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Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings
Blast off with Douglas Florian's new high-flying compendium, which features twenty whimsical poems about space. Includes die-cut pages and a glossary of space terms.
Hardcover, 56 pages
Published
April 1st 2007
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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Brenda
rated it
Recommends it for:
introducing kids to astronomy and non-fiction poetry
Recommended to Brenda by:
Picture Book Club November Selection
Shelves:
picture-books
What really stands out in this book of poems is the clever illustrations and cut outs that show glimpses of the next page. The vibrant colors and shapes really add so much to the wonderfully written poems. Each poem touches on the subject of the planets, comets or the universe in a very easy flow that will appeal to younger children. My overall favorite is “A Galaxy” which twirls into a spiral. Included with the book is a “Galactic Glossary” and “Bibliography and Links to Further Reading.” ...more
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I love the way the poem conveys information about space in poetic form with terrific illustrations to augment the experience. Illustrations have a great use of color, collage & cut out. The text is also used creatively and the word choice conveys the essence of the poem. "A Galaxy" poem is written is a spiral (use of form), reflecting the structure of some galaxies. In "The Universe" the word "empty" is stretched out in ways makes you read the word in ways to get a ...more
This week I read the book Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars. This is a Poetry collection of themed poems all relating to space. Nearly all the poems in this collection are rhyming poems. They carry a musical quality that is not only fun to read, but informational. Here is an example from Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars a poem called “the sun”: ”Ninety-three million miles from Earth. Nearly a million miles in girth.” There are also many examples of alliteration in the book, for example: “Jup...more
Douglas Florian features twenty whimsical poems about space. From the moon to the stars, from the Earth to Mars, here is a celebration of our celestial surroundings that's certain to become a universal favorite among aspiring astronomers everywhere. (Goodreads Summary)
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian is a 2007 poetry book about space & the planets which should be very accessible to children. The poetry is short and fun to read. Two of my...more
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian is a 2007 poetry book about space & the planets which should be very accessible to children. The poetry is short and fun to read. Two of my...more
Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars is a book comprised of several poems and paintings about space. The table of contents allows the reader to peruse the poems of their choice based on the aspect of space in which they are interested. Each page has a circle cut-out, to represent the corresponding planet detailed in the poem. The cut-outs are cleverly placed in different areas of each page to keep any reader engaged and eager to learn about space. To appreciate the artwork in this book, one must al...more
Abigail
rated it
Recommends it for:
Very Young Sky-Watchers & Poetry Lovers
Recommended to Abigail by:
The Picture-Book Club
Douglas Florian, whose other collections of non-fiction poetry for children include insectlopedia and mammalabilia, presents twenty poems about the universe, in all its great and wondrous diversity, in Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars. From Skywatch, in which Florian introduces the venerable pastime of observing the heavens, to The Great Beyond, in which he highlights the vastness of unexplored space - and how much we don't know! - these are poems meant to spark the interest of young children, ...more
PLOT SUMMARY
In COMETS, STARS, THE MOON AND MARS, Douglas Florian presents twenty playful poems about astronomy and the many wonders of our universe. Various heavenly bodies are described, including the stars and constellations, the sun and moon, the planets, and other outer space marvels. Each poem is also accompanied by an illustration of mixed media (e.g., paint, collage, stamped lettering) created by Florian, many of which also include die cuts on the pages. At the end of the coll...more
In COMETS, STARS, THE MOON AND MARS, Douglas Florian presents twenty playful poems about astronomy and the many wonders of our universe. Various heavenly bodies are described, including the stars and constellations, the sun and moon, the planets, and other outer space marvels. Each poem is also accompanied by an illustration of mixed media (e.g., paint, collage, stamped lettering) created by Florian, many of which also include die cuts on the pages. At the end of the coll...more
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, an...more
Lisa Vegan
rated it
Recommends it for:
introducing kids to astronomy and non-fiction poetry
Recommended to Lisa by:
Chandra
This book provides a fun frolic of a tour through the universe. It’s a superb introduction to the science of astronomy and to non-fiction poetry too.
The poems are very simple, and will be appealing to young children. They’re not outstanding but they’re pleasant and informative, and I loved how the “a galaxy” poem was formed in a spiral. Very cool. (The poems also put me in the mood to listen to Holst’s The Planets, and thinking of that music did distract me slightly from the book’s p...more
The poems are very simple, and will be appealing to young children. They’re not outstanding but they’re pleasant and informative, and I loved how the “a galaxy” poem was formed in a spiral. Very cool. (The poems also put me in the mood to listen to Holst’s The Planets, and thinking of that music did distract me slightly from the book’s p...more
A collection of poems about all things related to space. The illustrations were really creative and unusual...my favorite part! The poems were a little "forced" but an interesting way to introduce astronomy to children! If you have a child interested in planets, black holes, comets, etc., this would be a really fun read! It is also a great way to help children remember facts about the planets, sun, moon, etc.
I liked this book. (A Picture Book Club Read http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4244...) I have to admit it has been awhile since I read anything about outer space. I enjoyed the illustrations and the cutouts more than the actual poems. I read this book out loud to my daughter and it didn’t flow well in a couple spots. My daughter is too young to appreciate the book to its fullest. She did enjoy the curious cutouts which she poked her finger through on occasion. She also liked the rhyming aspec...more
This book of poetry deals with many of the things that are found in space, like the planets, comets and the sun.
When reading this book, I really wished that it was something that I would’ve had when learning about space, especially with things like the moon. It would be a great tool to help students learn about the different aspects of space, and it would also help gain student’s interests. The art work is in the book is amazing in the fact that it isn’t like the typical art work f...more
When reading this book, I really wished that it was something that I would’ve had when learning about space, especially with things like the moon. It would be a great tool to help students learn about the different aspects of space, and it would also help gain student’s interests. The art work is in the book is amazing in the fact that it isn’t like the typical art work f...more
This book presents poems about the universe, astronomy, and our solar system. The poems are short, concentrated, current, informative, and humorous. Specific terms are blended with made-up vocabulary. Many of the poems are filled with rhyme. Prose appears in a spiral for “a galaxy.” The illustrations are made with gouache, collage, and rubber stamps on printed brown paper bags. Several of the rubber stamps are foreign translations for the planet or star premiering in the poem. The illustr...more
I found another book by Douglas Florian! This book could be a fun supplement to a science unit on the solar system. There is a poem about each planet as well as other things you would find in space. I think this book could provide for some great literature/science integration activities. The poems are short and sweet which I think young readers enjoy. In true Douglas Florian style, the paintings are gorgeous. This book could even be an inspiration for an art/science integration project. I...more
This picture book written in poetic form would be perfect for introducing a science unit on the solar system. I would use this book for a wide range of elementary age students. There is great factual information and vocabulary used in the poems. The pictures are great stylized representations of the plants.
My favorite part of this was the section on Pluto. First I was struck by the up-to-date information, then I laughed at how it was actually presented.
“Pluto was a planet.
...more
My favorite part of this was the section on Pluto. First I was struck by the up-to-date information, then I laughed at how it was actually presented.
“Pluto was a planet.
...more
Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings is a favorite in my classroom! Douglas Florian's informational poetry informs the reader about space in a fun, creative way! I love the use of similes and metaphors he utilizes when describing the different planets. His rhymes are creative and not forced, and his wonderful word choice helps create images in the reader's mind!
The illustrations were done with gouache, collage, and rubner stamps on primed brown paper bags. They a...more
The illustrations were done with gouache, collage, and rubner stamps on primed brown paper bags. They a...more
The illustrations are really fun and inventive--I loved how there were little cut-out illustrations of the various gods with the planets they are named after, etc. I liked some of the poems better than others, but overall I thought they worked well and had a nice blend of wonderment, science and fun. And the scientific note at the back seemed good to me, though I don't really know enough about astronomy to be a solid judge on that issue. Overall, I think this is a fun and worthwhile introductio...more
This is a children's book, with space poems and modern paintings by Douglas Florian. It is a great science book, ad funny.
One Poem:
Venus
Scalding-hot surface,
Nine hundred degrees.
Nothing can live there,
No creatures,
No trees.
Poisonous clouds
Of acid above.
Why was it named for
the goddess of love?
At the end of the book Is a wonderful galactic glossary that explains the terms related to each poem, which really helps with the scien...more
One Poem:
Venus
Scalding-hot surface,
Nine hundred degrees.
Nothing can live there,
No creatures,
No trees.
Poisonous clouds
Of acid above.
Why was it named for
the goddess of love?
At the end of the book Is a wonderful galactic glossary that explains the terms related to each poem, which really helps with the scien...more
Sarah Maddaford
rated it
This book is great because the pictures are awesome, with cut-outs to make it even more interesting, and the poems for the most part are entertaining. Not only are most of the poems good, rhyming without being corny, each one gives accurate facts about its subject. The one on Pluto is hilarious especially since it takes into account Pluto's demotion. I think I could stare at the pictures for hours. The style isn't quite like anything else I've ever seen and they do an excellent job of complement...more
Weird. Bad science, lame verses, fun but not special artwork. The author profile says he stargazes in New York City? Um, not so much. I wanted to like it - there are probably lots of wonderful poems about outer space, and not all art about space has to pay homage to Chesley Bonestell, but I just don't find this book worthwhile.
These poems about our solar system are short and done in several different styles, including one shape poem about the galaxy. There are individual poems about each planet as well as ones about other space topics. The poem about Pluto is up-to-date and funny! All the poems include factual information, too. I loved the illutrations that include some peek-a-boo pages with holes to see part of the picture behind it.
Florian’s illustrations, with the peekaboo cutouts on alternating pages, really enhanced the words. I think my favorite illustration was the galaxy, with the words of the poem itself in the shape of the Milky Way. My favorite poem from this book has to be Pluto. I knew Pluto had been demoted from its planet status, and now, I know why, at least in a poetic way.
Florian does a commendable job of both writing beautiful poetry and communicating interesting details about the universe. The illustrations are original and colorful. Preschool through upper elementary kids would find this book approachable and appealing. This would be a great read aloud book.
Poetry; Picture book; 2007; Horn Book Fanfare Award
Poetry; Picture book; 2007; Horn Book Fanfare Award
This book of poems is all about space! Nearly all the poems in this collection are rhyming poems. They carry a musical quality that is not only fun to read, but informational. Students love learning about space.
I would use this book to connect a Space unit to language arts. Students could write their own poems about space.
I would use this book to connect a Space unit to language arts. Students could write their own poems about space.
Poetry that is out of this world! Doug Florian (one of my favorite poets for children) has a great book out with poems for every object in outer space--from the moon to black holes. I especially liked the poem about Pluto getting fired. The art work is terrific too. Kids who like space have another great book to read.
Bluebonnet committees love Florian. His books of poetry have been nominated over and over again. And why not? At least the book isn’t just another sad book of realistic fiction. The little poems are short and powerful in their own way. That, combined with the facts included in each poem, makes this a worthwhile read.
25 months - we will have to revisit this book again when O is bigger. She's not really that into poetry right now... not in book form anyway. If it's something we have memorized than that's different. Too bad too because some of these are really fun and there's something to be learned from them too.
Grades K-8
Beautiful illustrations and clever, rhyming poems examine the most familiar wonders of our universe. Florian's illustrations are soaked with color and incorporate circular cut-outs peeking through from one page to the next. In the style of Steve Jenkins, Florian includes nonfiction endnotes.
Beautiful illustrations and clever, rhyming poems examine the most familiar wonders of our universe. Florian's illustrations are soaked with color and incorporate circular cut-outs peeking through from one page to the next. In the style of Steve Jenkins, Florian includes nonfiction endnotes.
Ashley Allen
rated it
This is a great book to use in a classroom when teaching and introducing the students to the solar system, moon, planets, and the stars. The book is very informational and each planet and star has its own little poem. It would be a great book to focus on the differences in the planets.
LOVE, Love, love, and I mean LOVE, the illustrations in this book! They're unique and appealing at first glance, but beg for closer scrutiny to appreciate all the meaningful little details. The poems are solid and present factual information in a playful way. My favorites are galaxy, venus, earth and how can you not love poor demoted pluto? Did I mention that I love the art? A perfect book for a budding astronomer!
*Funny story - I decided that I would keep my eye on this autho...more
*Funny story - I decided that I would keep my eye on this autho...more
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