Written by: Alan Dyer
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published on: July 24, 2007
Ages: 8+
Next Monday morning, May 21, there will be a solar eclipse that is supposed to be visible from China, Japan, and western North America (on the afternoon of May 20). Our area is one of the places with the best view, depending on weather, so people are getting really excited. You can buy special eclipse glasses everywhere, even at the convenience store. Of course this close to rainy season there is no gurantee, but we hope to watch the eclipse before we go to school/work.
I wanted my kids to understand about the eclipse, but also get a good grounding in where this event stands in the universe. I bought this book mostly for the solar eclipse info, and it includes a succinct definition of that event (the moon passing between the sun and the earth). It's a pretty good basic primer of other things related to space, from the planets to spacesuits to gravity. It's aimed at upper elementary school students, so my kids are a bit too young to understand everything, but they enjoyed me reading it and the pictures. My son especially like the illustration of the inside of a spacesuit.
The author of this book is Alan Dyer, who comes from the same part of Canada as I do, and who has a really engaging style. I've seen him in the Canadian media before but didn't realize he had an asteroid named after him- now that's the big time!
I can see already that this is a book we are going to be flipping open a lot even after next Monday's annular eclipse. It's a great first book about astronomy and space.
Are you going to watch the next annular solar eclipse?
This is the 41st book I have read for the 5th Canadian Book Challenge.
Sounds like a great resource they can enjoy now and grow into as they understand more.
ReplyDeleteYes! I think that is one of the best things, they'll be able to see something new every year they get bigger!
DeleteI need to add to my space books (since Pluto is no longer a regular old planet!), so I will take a look at this one. I will also remember to make it over here on the 28th!
ReplyDeleteI'm still mourning poor Pluto. Can't wait to see you on the 28th!
DeleteHi Jen, I haven't explored as much scientific books as I know I should. Would start with this one. Looks like a truly interesting book. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny but I thought that nonfiction picture books would all be scientific but there are whole worlds of other books out there. I love the biographies I have found, I know you have recommended so many great ones!
DeleteI love the idea of the author having an asteroid named after himself! Very cool. Thanks for joining in the space round up.
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