Lookup! Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer - Robert Burleigh

Illustrated by Raul Colon

2013, Paula Wiseman; Simon & Schuster

HC 16.99 Carlisle's Bosler Library

32 pages

Goodreads rating: 3.79

My rating: 4

Endpapers: Dark Blue

Title Page:  two-inch strip on the top and a 1/2-inch strip on the bottom is an illustrations of the night sky looking through tree branches.  this is a nice model to share with kids what an appealing title page looks like.

Illustrations: Full page drawing on one page, text (many with lined borders) on the facing page, some double-page spreads

1^st line:  "Night after night, Henrietta sat on her front portch, gazing up at the stars."

Goodreads:  Look up! is a picture book biography of the astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. The story is of a little girl who loved the night sky, who loved the stars, who followed her dream and persevered academically in a man's field. Most astronomers, at the time, being men, of course. But she knew what she wanted, and she knew she could do it. Henrietta's job--she got paid thirty cents an hour--was not to gaze through the telescope. Her job was to examine, to study, the photographs taken by others. She was good at her job, and through her measuring, through her detailed study, she made an important discovery, a discovery having to do with measuring distances and the vastness of galaxies.

My comments on Goodreads:  Henrietta Leavitt certainly made huge contributions to astronomy, and this book clearly and cleverly shows the process she went through to discover them.  The illustrations are lovely, and the three pages of additional information at the end are perfect for the older reader and teacher (or parent) that want to learn more.  Included at some great quotes about stars, a glossary, deeper information about Leavitt's discovery, and a bibliography and list of internet resources. A MUST addition to a study of astronomy, women in history, or just a fascinating read for star gazers!

Stars! Stars! Stars! - Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Marshall Cavendish, 2009
$17.99
40 pages
For: kids 4 and up
Rating: 4.5
Endpapers: deep blue

Packed full of information about the stars, we join a family (who happen to be rabbits) and a few of their friends for an evening of stars - starting with dinner, continuing to the planetarium, then outside for a star-gazing.

The book includes a recipe for soup and ideas for creating sandwiches, cookies, and fruit in the shape of stars. The tour guide at the planetarium is full of easy-to-understand-kid-language that explains much star/solar phenomena - including amazing photos from NASA - and the kids get to participate at hands-on learning centers (therefore writing and art are included). At the end they spread a blanket on top of a hill, away from the town's lights, and gaze up at the wonders of the clear night sky. The story includes a little bit of everything, and is in itself a great lesson plan or curriculum guide. It's cleverly done and informative.

The characters and setting are all hand-cuts (or die cuts) in bright colors. The characters are rabbits. Why that puts me off a bit I don't know, but it did lower my rating from a 5 to a 4.5. I wish the characters had been people. Oh well. I really like the book.

I see that the author has a whole series of interesting-looking titles: Fly, Monarch, Fly! The Kindness Quilt, Apples, Apples, Apples, Recycle Every Day, Look! Look! Look! and Rocks! Rocks! Rocks! Her website is http://www.nancyelizabethwallace.com/.

Sky Magic - Lee Bennett Hopkins

POETRY
Illustrated by Mariusz Stawarski
Dutton Children's/Penguin
$17.99
March, 2009
Rating: 4
Endpapers: Bright orange to pale orange, fading (top to bottom)

14 poems about the sun, moon, and stars - including Schertle, Dotlich, Heard, McCord, and Sandburg.

The illustrations, by polish artist Stawarski, are bright, dark colors, with a decidedly geometric feel, color everywhere...the only white is the font!

Sun
Soleiel!

I’m your star
center stage
the poem on your page
beauty
power
the beat ablaze

I amaze

I am the candle on your cake
a sparkler burning bright

I am light
splendor
bliss

at dawn, your kiss

tenderly,
I come to you
a diamond
on the morning dew

I am the wonder of all sky

I am the twinkle in your eye.

Lyn Littlefield Hoopes

Song
Sing to the sun
It will listen
And warm your words
Your joy will rise
Like the sun
And glow
Within you

Sing to the moon
It will hear
And soothe your cares
Your fears will set
Like the moon
And fade
Within you.

Ashley Bryan