Kids Book of the Night Sky

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