Tag: space

Posted in Intermediate, Middle Grade, Non-fiction, Non-Fiction

Our Moon gives us a new look at an old friend

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

our moonOur Moon: New Discoveries About Earth’s Closest Companion, by Elaine Scott (Feb. 2016, Clarion Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9780547483948

Recommended for ages 10-13

You may have heard the old myth about the man in the moon, or even that the moon was made of green cheese. Did you hear about a Chinese princess named Chang-o or a rabbit, though? Those ancient Chinese stories are only the beginning of what I learned from Elaine Scott’s Our Moon: New Discoveries About Earth’s Closest Companion.

 

Our Moon is a great biography about our one and only satellite, Luna. The Moon. We get her all of her numbers: size, speed, temperature; we learn in depth about her phases, and her origin story. Ms. Scott gives us a history of lunar research and exploration, from the Turkish philosopher Anaxagoras’ ideas about moonlight being a reflection of the sun’s light back in the 5th century B.C.E. to the modern lunar landings and space travel. The book is loaded with photographs and quick facts that make for easy reading. A glossary breaks down terms used in the book, and there are resources for further reading, both on- and offline.

This is the book I’d have wanted in my astronomy library when I was a kid. It’s a great library purchase and a great home library purchase. Our Moon will be available in February, 2016, but you can pre-order it from Amazon.

Elaine Scott is an award-winning nonfiction author of children’s books. Her author website includes information about her books, honors, and school visits.

Posted in Preschool

Faraway Friends: A far-out adventure that takes place on Earth!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

faraway friendsFaraway Friends, by Russ Cox (2015, Sky Pony Press), $16.99, ISBN: 9781632204080

Recommended for ages 3-7

Sheldon’s friend is moving – possibly, to Jupiter! What’s a kid to do? Why, build a rocketship and blast off to visit!

Faraway Friends is a great blending of realistic and fantasy for young kids. You’ve got the story of loss, when Sheldon’s friend moves away, as the frame. Within that frame, you have Sheldon and his first-mate, Jet the Dog, building a rocketship to head out to the stars, explore, and go for a visit. Finally, you have the beginning of a new friendship – with an alien?!

This book is adorable. Russ Cox’s artwork is exciting and fun, with action and movement. Jet the Dog’s facial expressions and thought bubbles make him the best part of this story for me. Sheldon’s decision to take action as part of his dealing with his friend moving away is a great way to illustrate the concept of moving on and forming new friendships. The basic text is unintrusive and perfect for a read-aloud, and the countdowns to blastoff provide fun opportunities to get little listeners involved in the book.

I read this story to my three preschool classes, who loved the book and wanted me to read it again and again. What a home run! This one’s going on the shelves for Summer Reading, no question about it.

Enjoy the book trailer for Faraway Friends, and then go get your own copy – it’s on shelves now!

Posted in Fiction, Graphic Novels, Humor, Intermediate, Science Fiction

The Glorkian Warrior returns, and he’s eating adventure pie!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

glorkianThe Glorkian Warrior Eats Adventure Pie, by James Kochalka (March 2015, :01First Second), $12.99, ISBN: 9781626720213

Recommended for ages 5+

The Glorkian Warrior is back! When we last encountered him, he was on a quest to deliver a pizza; this time, he’s at odds with his rival, Buster Glark. As usual, Warrior’s trusty backpack is the brains of the operation, and the Warrior’s buddy, Gonk, is along for the ride.

The Glorkian Warrior Eats Adventure Pie is even more surreal and random than The Glorkian Warrior Orders a Pizza. Kids are going to love it – it’s just goofy, cartoony fun with a lot of moments where you’re giggling and can’t really explain why. There are space snakes, genius elbows, a lovable, brain-sucking alien, and some pretty hilarious fart-related humor. There’s even a bonus comic after the story ends.

Steer some of your reluctant readers and your younger readers toward the Glorkian Warrior books. The cartoony art will catch their attention, and the silly storytelling and goofy characters will appeal to everyone’s sense of humor.