Science and poetry combine in an out-of-this-world exploration of the wonders of our solar system.
From a ballad of Earth and an ode to the sun to a villanelle for Venus and a sestina for Saturn, here are 14 original poems about planets and other bodies in our solar system. Each poem is written in a different poetic form that's been chosen to reflect the object's unique characteristics, and each is bursting with intriguing details sure to capture readers' imaginations. Why is Mars known as the Red Planet? How many moons does Jupiter have? And what exactly is the Kuiper Belt? Budding astronomers, young and old, can find the answers to these questions and many more in this innovative, enchanting book.
Amanda West Lewis's unique and engaging poems and text are lavishly illustrated with stunning artwork by Oliver Averill that celebrates the vastness of space while bringing its curious objects to vivid life. Every spread features a stunning space scene, a poem and a fold-out flap that, when opened, reveals easy-to-understand science facts about the object as well as an explanation of the poetic form used and why it was matched with that object. From sonnet, free verse and persona to prose, acrostic and hip-hop poems, there are 14 poetic forms to enjoy. With loads of curriculum connections in Earth science and language arts, this immersive and beautifully crafted book is a terrific choice for STEAM lesson plans. The back of the book contains a glossary, references, an activity, an illustration of our solar system and an index.
"How does life survive on Earth? Why is Pluto no longer considered a planet? And just how big is Jupiter, really? The answers to these questions and more are explored in this innovative non-fiction book featuring 14 beautifully written poems about space. Every object in our solar system is paired with a different kind of poem, from lyrical sonnets to bouncy rhyming couplets, twisty sestinas to joyful free verse. As they explore the solar system, readers will learn about what makes each object, from the tiny paired-dwarf planets Pluto and Charon to the vast Kuiper Belt, special. Each unique poem by Amanda West Lewis is stunningly illustrated with dreamy artwork by Oliver Averill that celebrates the vast darkness of space and brings to life familiar space objects such as sunspots, comets, Saturn's rings and more. Every spread features a flap that opens to extend the illustration and offer readers easy-to-understand science sidebars as well as short explanations of each poetic form. This highly original, lavishly illustrated book is the perfect blend of science and poetry, and a marvelous pick for all budding astronomers."--
