Me and My Place in Space

Me

by Joan Sweeney, Annette Cable (Illustrator)

Where is the earth?  Where is the sun?  Where are the stars?

Now in a Dragonfly edition, here is an out-of-this world introduction to the universe for children.  With earth as a starting point, a young astronaut leads readers on a tour past each planet and on to the stars, answering simple questions about our solar system. In clear language, drawings, and diagrams, space unfolds before a child's eyes.  Colorful illustrations, filled with fun and detail, give children a lot to look for on every page and a glossary helps reinforce new words and concepts. A terrific teaching tool, Me and My Place in Space is an easy and enjoyable way to introduce the concept of space to the very youngest astronomers.

Genres: Space, Picture Books, Science, Childrens, Nonfiction, School, Pre K

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

Me and My Place in Space by Joan Sweeney, illustrated by Christine Gore. PICTURE BOOK/ NON-FICTION. Dragonfly Books (Penguin), 2018. $8. 9781524773663

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This book takes you on an adventure through space. You start on our planet Earth, and learn a few facts about each of the planets. It also describes the Milky Way Galaxy and how our galaxy fits into the universe.

I loved that the character makes a cardboard rocket ship and takes us to each of the planets and gives us a few facts about each. It was a creative and engaging way for kids to learn about our solar system. This is a great introduction book to get kids interested in learning more about space.

SLM
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Barbara]

In this reissue of a 1998 edition of the book, the artwork has been updated. A young girl shows off the different planets and explores the solar system and galaxy while pondering the questions that have preoccupied many--Is there life out there? And is there life like us out there somewhere far beyond where humans have ever traveled? Lively and colorful illustrations against a dark backdrop and easy-to-understand text make this one a good choice for budding astronauts and those in an elementary classroom interested in space.

[Ally Goddard]

Summary: This book is about space and where we live in it. It teaches the reader about our planet, solar system, galaxy, and the universe.


Critique: This book does a great job of using vocabulary that is appropriate for elementary age children. It also uses vocabulary about space and our solar system that first graders will have to know.

Teaching idea: I would use this book to teach about the solar system in first grade. I would go over the new vocabulary of the book before reading it, and then use the book to preface a hands on activity of the solar system,

[Kaila Daniels]

This book tells a great story about a girl saying different facts about space. Sh addresses what the sun is, how many planets there are and describes each of them, explains that our solar system is inside of a galaxy, and there are many other galaxies in our universe. I like that at the end she says that there might be a possibility that there is about galaxy, or solar system, or even planet as ours. I also like at the end of the book, it gives definitions of science vocabulary it used in the text, so students can understand the book and information better.

[Victoria DeJesus]

This book doesn't have any awards. The appropriate grade level is K-2. This book explains what we see in the sky at night. It has facts and illustrations from the moon to the planets to the faraway stars. It talks about special it is to live on Earth. I love this book because it goes into deep detail. But the detail isn't so complex that the children can't understand it. A possible class use for this book is when you are teaching about space or planets.

[Read Ribbet]

One of four concept ME books by Joan Sweeney, which has the central character position herself in the galaxy. In telling the story, information is revealed about the moon, sun, the planets and beyond. Limited narrative and bold graphic illustrations will help make interesting space information available to young readers.

[Robin]

SO glad they reissued these! One of my favorite non-fiction series for PreK and K. Bright, clear illustrations, solid science presented in an engaging and kid-friendly narrative. A must-read for ages 3-6.

[Mari Katherine]

This book is about a girl explaining to the reader different things in space. She talks about the sun, planets, our solar system, and galaxies. I think this would be a good book to have around when talking about outer space in the classroom.

[Smurf]

I enjoyed this book. It didn't necessarily stand out to me, but I would enjoy reading it to younger kids. It's a fun book about space without being too burdened with facts and details. It's very simple and sweet.

[Kristen Dutkiewicz]

An entertaining and informative book for children about the planets. Cute illustrations that my class enjoyed actually copying!

[Miss Sarah]

A great preschool and up book explain major factors ins pace including the planets.

[Hamza]

I like this book because I learnd about space

[Emily]

“Me and My Place in Space” is good for younger readers. It’ll help prepare them for STEM subjects later in school.

[Sam]

pluto isn’t a planet anymore💔

[Erin]

An excellent book about the solar system for young children and those who need a little more detail (say, up to 8 years old or so, depending on the kid).

[Emaline Morse]

this book didn’t rhyme, but it was interesting
the child looked creepy

[Kelsey]

This book was simple, modern, informative, and engaging. My child and I enjoyed it.

[Pablo Enrique]

This book functions as a perfect introduction to astronomy for a young audience. The text excels in its direct, fact-based approach, explaining core concepts of the solar system and our place within it without resorting to opinion or unnecessary narrative. The information is presented clearly and concisely, making a vast subject feel approachable. It is an ideal educational resource that respects its topic and its reader.

[ReGina]

I wish this had a little more specifics about the science of space. Kids who would be reading this might not understand the basics and this rushes through them.

[Angela]

This is an easy read to teach students about the solar system. It is outdated and teaches Pluto is a planet but it is a perfectly teachable moment to explain to the students about Pluto and why it is no longer considered a planet. It gives you a brief description about each planet and ends with questions/ statements that make you think. Also has a small list of vocabulary near the end. The illustrations are cute and fun. A great book for teach about the solar system for most early childhood classrooms but also great to teach the the 4th grade earth science standard.

[Sylvie Gold]

"Me and My Place in Space" by Joan Sweeney; illustrated by Annette Cable

I have used this book many times with early childhood classes studying space, and it's always a hit! I just have to leave out the part about Pluto. I have sometimes used it with 1st & 2nd grades as well, and for them I can explain a little bit about the re-designation of Pluto. I read it today to a class of 3-year-olds who had already heard it once from their teacher but were happy to hear it again.

[S.N. Arly]

This is an engaging introduction to the concepts of space and our solar system. For a much younger audience, you can selectively read only what they have the attention span for. As they get older, you can read more.

The information is scientifically accurate, the language isn't cutesy or rhymey. The pictures have a lot of nice details for kids to pick out and name.

[Sheniqua]

This is an easy read book to teach younger students about the solar system (K-2). It discusses each of the planets and gives some supporting information. The students can incorporate math into their activities by recording the number of moons and rings each planet has or graphing these findings in some format. I also love that the illustrations are so cute and kid friendly!

[Ryan Fenn]

This was a very interesting read for me and I can easily imagine younger students being captivated by the material presented, as well as the thought-provoking questions asked. It had accurate information that was interesting and that provided the reader with a desire to learn more. I give it a five and would definitely use it as a teacher for students.

[Ariel Smith]

This book is all about the planets! It teaches about each planet in order. And gives great information. This would be a good one when teaching about our solar system and beyond. Such a cool book for all ages. But I would mainly put it in prek-1 the words are simple and easy. And sentences are short and easy to understand.

[Haley]

Out of the picture books that I have read today, this is the one that I enjoyed the most. Very informative, yet not silly. Didn't seem to much like it was intended for kids. It could be used to reinforce those teachings later in life. Plus I really liked the illustrations. I thought that they were very cute. I'm also a cat person so I am kind of a sucker for that.

[Luana]

This book is ideal for Pre-K - 2nd Grade. It is ideal to teach a lesson about the solar system, more specifically, the position and size of the planets. I would use this in the Explain portion of a 5E lesson plan, as it introduces more facts and vocabulary.

[Sarah]

A good book to use when teaching about the solar system. Very educational and easily adjustable to multiple grade levels, of the younger years. The pictures are very helpful and in general direct. However, it still states that Pluto is a planet which could confuse some children.

[Alison]

This was a wonderful informative read about the planets. This girl travels with her cat to all of the planets in our solar system. I would like to add this book to my collection for my students so as to use it in a future research assignment.

[Heather Willis]

Little girl travels through space and tells you about each planet. Informaiton book, really fun!