SPACE
Ages 5 to 8
Starry messenger: A book depicting the life of a famous scientist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher,
physicist Galileo Galilei
Sis, Peter (Farrar Straus Giroux, Frances Foster Books, 1996, 36pp.)
This is a picture book that can be read by (or to)
several age groups. Each double page usually contains only
one paragraph of text relating the story of Galileo, his astronomical discoveries and his trial by the Church. However this simple text
is augmented and extended by the large medieval-style paintings
and the additional sections of prose written in handwritten script.
These include extra facts about Galileo's life and quotes from
his writings. The more the reader delves into the extra details
the bigger the picture that is drawn about this remarkable scientist. The final double page talking about his pardon by the Church 300 years after his death is particularly moving.
(FAMOUS SCIENTISTS; SPACE)
Ages 8 to 11
A new view of the solar system
Aguilar, David A. (National Geographic, 2008, 48p.)
David Aguilar is Director of Science Information at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and past Director of the Fiske Planetarium. In this very up-to-date book, the latest information about our solar system is presented in a well-designed and beautifully presented format. In addition to the facts about the main eight planets and their major moons, the author explains the new classification of Pluto as a dwarf planet and the addition of Ceres, in the asteroid belt, to the same category. Less well-known parts of the solar system such as the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud are also described. Illustrated with spectacular space art by the author, the text manages to explain complex topics in a child-centred manner, including 'The solar system in a grocery bag' analogy on the final page. Although presented in picture book format, the concepts discussed make this book more suited to an older readership.
(SPACE)
Black holes
Couper, Heather and Nigel Henbest; illustrated by Luciano Corbella (Harper Collins, 1996, 45pp.)
Produced by Dorling Kindersley, this volume uses their successful approach of visual presentation of information with text broken up into small segments and captions arranged around illustrations to explain a complex series of concepts in astronomy. Some pages effectively use white text or boxes on black backgrounds and a central foldout also adds variety. Illustrations by Luciano Corbella are an effective mix of photos, diagrams, drawings and paintings.
A companion volume is Big bang. With a very effective first page of grey nothingness, it presents the evidence for the big bang theory of the creation of the universe. It is also honest enough to discuss problems with the evidence and scientists who disagree with the consensus opinion. Other theories are mentioned as well as religious and philosophical creation stories.
(SPACE)
