Week 9: Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

This is a book of poems and paintings with a celestial and space theme. The title says it all.

Doug Florian is the author and illustrator. He uses collage, cutout pages, stamps, and brushstokes that give a very attractive backdrop for his poems. He has included poems on the planets, the sky, and the whole universe, too. He even includes a glossary at the end so the reader can learn more about the subject in each poem. While some of these terms are more complicated, the poems and paintings are well suited for children in grades 3-5.  

 

APA Reference:

Florian, D. (2007). Comets, stars, the moon, and Mars: Space poems and paintings.

            Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc.

My Impressions:

I really enjoyed these poems and paintings. This artist/author is very talented. I loved the texture his brushstroke technique created on the pages. I also loved the collage elements and the cutouts he included (or should I say, excluded) in this work of art. I thought his definitions were accurate and that a child in grades 3-5 really could understand them in poem form. I especially liked the “Universe” poem and artwork. The blue is so blue, it makes me smile. Also, I liked the way he wrote the “Galaxy” poem in a spiral shape. Those kinds of details will really attract children to his paintings and his poetry. In addition, as a teacher, I really was impressed that he took the time to research and include a glossary for the reader to learn more about the subjects in the poems (like the black hole and the solar system). The terms can be a little complicated for a younger reader, but with the help of a teacher, librarian, or parent, they can really learn more about the universe. Last but not least, his personality shines through on the book jacket. Instead of putting a picture of himself along with a quick bio, he painted a picture of himself as an alien. I am still laughing and marveling at his talent and am excited for young readers to get a hold of this book.

Professional Review:

“This large-format book looks at astronomy through the magnifying, clarifying lens of poetry. Each broad double-page spread features a short, accessible poem about a subject such as the sun, each of its planets, a comet, a constellation, or the universe, set within an impressive painting. A concrete poem entitled "a galaxy" is a curling spiral of words set against the midnight-blue sky and surrounded by other galaxies. Stamped type, cutout pages, collage elements with printed papers, and sweeping brushstrokes all figure prominently in the expressive collage artwork, which ably illustrates the verse. The last pages carry "A Galactic Glossary" with a paragraph on the topic of each poem, followed by a list of books and Web sites. Florian's ode to Pluto matter-of-factly notes its demoted status, but even better is his pithy poem on Jupiter: "Jupiter's jumbo, / Gigantic, / Immense, / So wide / Side to side, / But gaseous, not dense. / With some sixteen moons / It's plainly prolific-- / So super-dupiter / Jupiterrific!" Read this aloud. Carolyn Phelan”

Review Reference:

Phelan, C. (2007, April 1). [Review of the book Comets, stars, the moon, and Mars: Space

            poems and paintings, by D. Florian]. Booklist, 103(15), 50. Retrieved from

http://www.booklistonline.com/  

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 3-5

This book would be a great addition to a display of books on space and all things celestial.

This book would be a great supplement for the teachers when doing their space unit. The librarian could go in at the beginning of the unit and read some of the poems and show the pictures to get them excited about the unit and poetry.