Product Description

Children eight and up will enjoy this conversational but information-packed introduction to astronomy and stargazing, which includes the achievements of the great scientists, the history of space exploration, the story of our solar system, the myths behind the constellations, and how to navigate the night sky. Whimsical color illustrations on every page and handy definitions and sidebars help engage younger readers and develop their interest. The special star wheel helps locate stars and planets from any location at any time of year. This is the third in Black Dog & Leventhal's successful series including The Story of the Orchestra and A Child's Introduction to Poetry.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17863 in Books
• Brand: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
• Published on: 2004-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .70" h x 10.00" w x 10.30" l, 1.75 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6–Supported by a mix of cartoon vignettes, elaborately detailed illustrations of constellations, sky maps, and small but dramatic space photos, this tour of the universe takes readers through the solar system and well beyond–introducing along the way a handful of astronomers, space probes, myths, and principles of physics. Hamilton's informal scenes of dinosaurs watching a giant meteor coming down, stars cast as human figures with exploding heads, and such mirror Driscoll's general tone. Beneath such chapter heads as "Hunks, Chunks, and Flying Objects" or "The Zodiac Zoo," the author notes that "Stars and planets get most of the attention when we're talking about space. But there's lots of other cool stuff up there, too." The author defines special terms in a running "Deep Space Dictionary," and closes with an array of dates, calendars, and current paper or electronic resources. Because all of the information here is easily available elsewhere, and the sheet of glow-in-the-dark stickers and the adjustable star finder tucked into a pocket will be problems in a library setting, this genial, handsomely packaged survey makes an appealing, but secondary, choice.–John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Inside Flap
Since ancient times, people have been looking up and wondering about all of the things that glow in the night sky, and about our place in the big, wide universe. The study of the night sky and all of the objects and forces up there is called astronomy, and A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky is a great introduction to what astronomers have learned (and are still discovering), what astronauts and scientists explore—and what you yourself can find by gazing up into the night sky.

You'll learn about how stars are born; how the planets move through the sky; and just where we are within the big galaxy we call home; the Milky Way. You'll find out about solar and lunar eclipses, the phases of the Moon, and what a comet's tail is made of. You'll delve into mysterious forces (like black holes and dark matter) that are so strange that even scientists don't fully understand them yet.

And when it comes time to find out about the starry constellations, you'll learn their names and shapes, along with their stories—sometimes called myths—that were invented to help explain and identify them.

You'll even learn about rockets, satellites, space stations, and space travel, including some of the exciting plans we have for future missions. When will a person visit Mars? It might be sooner than you think!

Finally, you will find out how to take the handy Star Finder outside with you and find all of your favorite stars, constellations and planets in the sky, just like professional astronomers do. (Wait until you find out how easy it is to spot Venus).

With A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky, the Star Finder inside and the fun glow-in-the-dark stickers you can put on your ceiling, you will be a junior astronomer in no time!

From the Back Cover
Have You Ever Looked Up at the Night Sky and Wondered Just What's Up There?

People have been wondering about the mysteries of the universe for as long as there have been people. With the help of this book and the handy Star Finder and stickers included inside, you'll learn all about the stars, planets and other interesting things above our heads, and about the amazing explorers and thinkers who have unraveled their secrets.

Why do stars seem to move across the sky throughout the night and change places over the course of the year?

How far away is the Moon, and why does it change shape all the time?

What's the best time to spot one of those "shooting stars"— and what are they, anyway? (Hint: They're not stars)

How did the planets get their names—and will we ever be able to visit them all?

What are Saturn's rings made of?

You'll find out the answers to all of these questions, and lots more—and when you're ready, you can take your Star Finder outside and spot the major stars and constellations.

Then put the special glow-in-the-dark stickers up on your ceiling and bring the night sky inside your room!