Product Description

In this book in the Family Fun series, boys and girls will discover all the secrets the night sky holds. They can play games like "Night Sky I Spy," keep an astronomer's log and read about night sky myths. Star maps are included for each season -- so kids will know what to look for, when and where. Then as the sun goes down and the sky goes dark, they'll be ready for the night sky's all-star show.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41057 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6–Using a lively combination of clearly written text, myths and legends, jokes, and activities, the authors present an excellent introduction to the many wonders of the night sky throughout the seasons. The sun, the moon and its phases, and eclipses are clearly explained and brief information about the planets' surfaces, paths, temperatures, and levels of brightness rounds out the text. Step-by-step directions for making a planisphere, sighting tube, star clock, constellation candles and flashcards, and moon cookies are clearly written and illustrated. There is a wide variance in the difficulty of the projects; some definitely require adult guidance or supervision while others can be done independently by eight- or nine-year-olds. Younger children will enjoy hearing the stories and being guided in their gazing. The short legends and myths from a variety of cultures are well told; each story's origins are identified. The charcoal drawings that appear throughout are well done, although those showing children engaged in the activities are sometimes static. The information is current; the section on Mars is accurate, even given recent Rover explorations there. Janice VanCleave's Constellations for Every Kid (Wiley, 1997) has more activities and less expository text. Jacqueline Mitton's Zoo in the Sky(National Geographic, 1998) has much less information and no projects. Love and Drake's excitement about their subject is contagious; they have created a book that should be in every school and public library.–Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. The authors of similar books about camping and family history offer budding stargazers a horizon-broadening mix of basic astronomy, sky myths from more than a dozen cultures, terrible jokes ("Where did the astronauts park their spaceship? At a parking meteor"), and instructions for several ingeniously low-tech science and art projects--all illustrated with inviting, lucid pencil drawings and simplified sky charts. Sandwiched between a chapter on the Moon and one on the planets, discussions of such topics as constellations of the northern hemisphere, major stars, and other sights (some requiring a telescope to view) alternate with brief, dramatically titled tales, including "The Story of Osiris and Isis: A Murder Thriller." Text and pictures aren't always well connected (there's no hint of the ox hide the herdsman is said to be wearing in "The Weaver Princess and the Herdsman"), and the authors provide no lists of supplementary titles or Web sites, but this will still be valuable for its engaging tone and hands-on approach. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

A Godsend for Educators
To Ann Love And Jane Drake
The wealth of information, the simple, clear layout and the activity ideas are a goldmine for anyone teaching Grade 6 Science and Language in Ontario. The book can be used on so many levels. I see its value as a quick reference, a source of non-fiction passages, a source of accessible, useful activities requiring easily available materials, a fascinating means for non-astronomer teachers to inform themselves quickly so that they can teach the material in an inspiring way to their classes. It is also a book that will excite any young person with a curiosity about the world around him.
You've filled a real need for educators with this book. I've bought one for myself and for two other teachers who will use it well.
THANK-YOU!
You're stars in MY book!