Galileo's Journal, 1609 - 1610

by Jeanne Pettenati, Paolo Rui (Illustrator)

On his summer vacation, Galileo Galilei hears about the newly invented telescope and decides to build one of his own. Turning his new "spyglass" to the night sky, he sees things that no one has ever seen before. He discovers that the Milky Way is made of stars, and that the moon has mountains. He also notices a strange formation of "stars" that will eventually turn people's understanding of the world upside down. Fictional journal accounts capture the famous Italian scientist's curiosity and wonder as he makes some of the most amazing discoveries in history.

Genres: Science, Biography, History, Picture Books, Astronomy, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there's much more to Galileo's biographical story, this epistolary narrative offers the gist of Galileo's astronomical observations and contributions. This is a good selection for the elementary grade reader and would serve as a good mentor text for nature journaling or science observation journaling.

[Emer Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Galileo's Journal is an excellent introduction to some of his most important discoveries. I think it skipped over the inquisition and his trail which for kids is important to know how ideas can be perceived as dangerous. Otherwise excellent.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This semi-biographical book outlines Galileo's creation of his spyglass and then how he started using it to explore and understand the night sky. It was truly amazing what he was able to discover with so little technology and then sad how the world dismissed his theories and locked him away for challenging the popular beliefs of the church. This is a great book for any little scientist who is interested in space.

[Doris Raines · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK.GOING IN MY LIBRARY.

[Reading Through the Lists · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little book: not too long or detailed but enough for children to get a basic idea of some of Galileo's great discoveries as well as the timeline in which they took place. The diary format moves everything along quite well and the pictures of Luna, the dog, add a touch of whimsy to what could be a very dull, serious book. Children who like history or astronomy are bound to have their curiosity whetted by this book and will probably go in search of a longer volume about Galileo's life afterward.

[Brittany & Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable, fictionalized story telling of Galileo's development and observations with the telescope as an astronomical tool. It's told in first person with journal entries. I love how this type of writing allows us see how Galileo might have felt when he made his exciting discoveries. The illustrations were beautiful and helped tell the story. It kept my 4- and 8yo kids interested.

[Corban · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is formatted like a journal, but is a fictional picture book. It makes the material very approachable for the youngest of readers, telling the story of Galileo's spyglass and his discoveries. The excitement and curiosity in the journal entries are catching!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My six year old son loves this book. I taught me a lot reading it to him.

[Suzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and end educational picture book on Galileo's telescope and his space discoveries!!!