Is There Life in Outer Space?

Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1

by Franklyn Mansfield Branley, Don Madden (Illustrator)

Discusses some of the ideas and misconceptions about life in outer space and speculates on the existence of such life in light of recent space explorations.

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Space, Childrens, Juvenile

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[SaraKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book was the illustrations. They were so colorful and creative. The text was fine and explained possibilities of life on other planets well, but some information is dated and missing new ideas.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review: https://hiplibrariansbookblog.com/200...

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book felt very outdated, the illustrations were odd, and the text was all over the place. The book was too long winded and would spend a lot of time teaching kids about things that weren’t true (legends or misunderstandings). For a kid to not get confused by this book’s constantly changing ideas about aliens, they would have to be old enough to understand that the book was talking about past inaccurate ideas and hypothesizing about future possibilities.

[Connie Sheridan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at a second hand store and bought it purely for the illustrations. I took it home and read it. Fast, simple read but the book says "The soil of Mars was tested", which is not true at the publication time because the first soil testing took place in 2012, and this book was published in 1984.

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mommy's review from 10/12/11 -


What I liked best about this book is that the author didn't lean one way or the other. There's no pressure to believe what the author or publisher believes. That goes a long way with me because I can't stand someone - especially someone with the means to reach more than just their neighbor - pushing their beliefs on others.
This story basically allows you to decide for yourself. There may be life on another planet. At the same time, there may not be.
The reader also gets some pertinent info like when Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the moon in 1969. The book tells how probes have been sent to Mars and how tests were taken that proved no signs of life were evident. There is a very good amount of somewhat detailed info for younger children.
We learn about Venus being so hot not much could probably survive. We learn there are poisonous gases surrounding the planet. A nice double page spread is found near the middle of the book which shows the planets in relation to the sun.
After the planets the author goes into stars for a little bit. Could plants or animals or other beings live on any of the billions of stars in our solar system?
The last line in the book is the following:

"What do you think?"

That is what I like the best. Not only because it's a fantastic and direct opening to a conversation between parent and child but because it really gets you thinking.
I know for a fact Julia was still mulling this over in her head before bed last night.
The illustrations are all very fun, bright and goofy, nothing scary at all. I guess if my child had a sort of phobia about aliens or something of the sort I'd pass on this regardless. Even though it's a very fun book, in every way, I wouldn't take the chance on putting it in my kid's head that aliens might be alive all over the solar system. But if that's not a concern I'd recommend picking it up - it's really pretty cool.

[Autumn Yoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is SO creative and the illustrations are amazing. The story is about our solar system and the possibility of different creatures living on the other planets. It describes the reason as to why humans live on Earth and what makes it different compared to the other planets.

This would be a great book to use for a science lesson on our solar system and planet characteristics! Great for grades 2-4.

[Katie Williams]

An informational book about how scientist study space and the ancient wonderings if there is life somewhere else besides Earth. This can open up student inquiry and creativity by having them brainstorm ways to study outer space through creative writing. They can also come up with creatures they think may life on other planets besides ours.

[Morgen Shambaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read better stories about outer space, but this book does have some good qualities and reasons teachers should use it. When it was read to me today I realized how good it can be for building your imagination, thinking about what is described in the book, and drawing a picture in your mind.

[Kate Busch]

This is a cute picture book about outer space. It allows students to have imagination. While it is not the most educational book that could be chosen, it still has advantages in the classroom with imagination and fun.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very creative fun Science book talking about space and planets. My special needs teenage son enjoyed listening about the 'martians' but also about 'facts' that he didn't know was learning about because the story was a fun one.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

We almost didn't make it through. If there wasn't a strong statement in favor of the possibility, the book would have hit the wall.

Whew. Catastrophe averted.

[Emily Bernd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book that will trigger students' imaginations.