G is for Galaxy: An Out of This World Alphabet

by Janis Campbell, Janis Campbell, Alan Stacy (Illustrator)

Aspiring astronauts, star gazing astrophysicists, and even toddlers pointing at the moon will now have the right stuff for exploring our galaxy. With rhymes for younger children and their accompanying fact-filled expository test for older readers, syndicated "Yak's Corner" columnists Janis Campbell and Cathy Collison shuttle us through an out of this world alphabet as seen through the windshield of a space ship. Each page answers galactic questions like: What planet is 300 times heavier than Earth? Why is space the ultimate place to study? Which planet is closest to the sun and which one is the farthest? Who said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"?

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

40 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2005

Reviews

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: This one mentioned the theory of a comet/asteroid wiping out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. It also has a page about the zodiac and talks about horoscopes.

[Asher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the "E is for Earth" and "F is for Footprints" pages.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book, great for kids. The pictures are, also, very beautiful and a simulation of what’s real jn outer space.

[Breanna Leonard]

This is great book for kids who are interested in space and some of the history that goes into it. This book hits a lot of high points that are related to space such as the first man on the moon, President Kennedy and different planets. I liked how the sentences rhymed, it really made the book flow with ease. This would be a cool book to read to my class if we were talking about space and learning about the universe. This book would also be good to review the alphabet in a fun way.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

G is for Galaxy is a gorgeously illustrated book that I instantly fell in love with. As someone who love science and really believes in sharing the wonder of our universe with the younger generation this is definitely a book I can see myself reading to my future children.

The alphabet is presented in two ways; one is a short little four line poem about the letter, like G is for Galaxy, and the second is a more detailed description of one or several ‘space’ related words. So not only does it have appeal for the younger children, but as they grow up they can begin to learn even more info from the same book. The one downside to having a book about science is that occasionally somethings no longer apply…like that awkward situation with Pluto. This book was written before Pluto’s classification changed, and it talks about plans for the International Space Station that have already been done.

The illustrations are gorgeous!! If I could get prints of a few of these I would hang them up in my house, or if I had a kid they would be in their room.

Overall this is a stunning book that is presents Astronomy is a way that is kid friendly and a great starting point for those insatiably curious kids.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might have just given this book 4 stars, but then I read the other reviews. Yes, B is for Big Bang and D is for Dinosaurs. Yes, this book is based on SCIENCE! There are plenty of religious books out there. This is not one of them. As an agnostic parent raising my children with a strong scientific background, free of religious propaganda, I like this book.

The illustrations are detailed and realistic. I especially like how there's a four line poem for each letter and then further information on the side, so that this book can be tailored for the audience depending on age, interest, time, etc.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book and I was really excited to see that by varying authors there are lots of topics to choose from in what appears to be a similar series. However I'm so saddened by the fact that B is for Big Bang, followed by "D is the Dinosaurs... but when a might comet struck, they would no longer roam." Alas, not at all what I want to teach and so sad that it is shared as plain fact and not theory, otherwise it would be okay. Glad it is just a library book, but I doubt I'll look at the rest of the series choices.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

While studying space I had my students reference this book often for concepts. I like the alphabet approach so much that I had my students crate their own following the same format.

[Elijolil]

excessive evolutionary thought