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| retrieved from guysread.com on 2/15/2013 |
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars
Florian, Douglas.
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars. New York: Harcourt, Inc, 2007. ISBN
9780152053727
Critical
Analysis:
Florian creates a
sense of fun and adventure in this poetic exploration of outer space. Colorful
artwork created by combining color, cut outs, newsprint, and the concrete
poetry of poems like A Galaxy, invite
the reader to explore each page while the rhythm and rhyme of each poem entice
the ear. Add a bit of humor such as that which is found in Jupiter and Florian blends together a well-written montage of
poetry about space, the universe, planets, and stars.
Aptly organized the
book begins with the vastness of the universe, narrows its focus to the galaxy,
then planets and moons only to expand again to the great beyond. A table of
contents guides the reader to selected works while the galactic glossary
provides added information about each poem. Couple these with further reading
and a selected bibliography and this work is a perfect companion to a textbook
unit on outer space or just a fun read for budding astronomers.
Book
Reviews:
Florian is a child-loved illustrator-poet who has joined the
ranks of favorites like Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein. As usual in this
book, Florian encapsulates the sense of things in a way that catches readers
unawares, often with humor. Generally his art is simple drawings, but these are
ethereal and elegant renderings. His initial poem and art set the tone well:
“The universe is every place,/Including all the e m p t y space.” Florian
visually represents the vastness with extra gaps between letters on a blue
double-page spread. The page is illuminated with collaged bits of old newspaper
clippings about space, painted concentric circles, and an old print of a rayed
sun. On the next page a spiraled poem describes a galaxy by using
miscellaneously shaped spirals circling about to mirror the concept. With
cut-outs, colors, and word play Florian goes on to describe celestial bodies
and ideas--from planets to black holes--with perceptions sure to set a child to
wondering and longing. He offers a last tease in his final poem, “The Great
Beyond” with “Great galaxies spin,/While bright comets race. And I’d tell you more, /But I’ve run out of
space.” Susan Wilde Children’s Literature
Best
Books:
Best Children’s
Books of the Year 2008;
Bank Street College of Education; Outstanding Merit; United States
Kirkus Best
Children’s Books, 2007;
Kirkus; United States
Kirkus Book
Review Stars, March 15, 2007;
United States
Connections:
Skywatch
On
a clear night you might try
To
gaze upon the starry sky.
A
telescope or binoculars are
Great
aids to observe a star.
To
find your way it’s good to sight
Upon
a star that’s very bright,
Like
Sirius or Canopus,
Alpha
Centauri or Arcturus.
You may see a planet or
A
flash of light from a meteor.
Use
a constellation chart
To
help you tell the stars apart.
Start
out when the day is done.
Most
of all: have lots of fun!
Read the above poem
to introduce a unit on Space Exploration. Follow up with a trip to a
planetarium.
Continue to read a
poem as each new topic is introduced. For example: When beginning to study the
separate planets, planetoids, or stars, have each student choose one, read the
accompanying poem, and create a diorama of their particular topic.
For public
librarians: Hold a Star Gazer Program with a local astronomer. Read this book
of poetry before you begin. Have participants try to locate some of the stars
and planets mentioned in Florian’s work.
Other
Books by Douglas Florian
Autumnblings: Poems
& Paintings, 2003
Summersaults: Poems
& Paintings, 2002
Lizards, Frogs, and
Polliwogs: Poems & Paintings, 2001
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