BibliographyFlorian, Douglas. 2007. Comets, Stars, The Moon, and Mars. Orlando: Harcourt. ISBN: 9780152053727
Plot Summary
Douglas Florian has created a collection of 20 poems about all things related to space. All eight planets have their own poems. He also includes poems about a galaxy, the constellations, the mysterious “black hole” and many other elements of space.
Douglas Florian has created a collection of 20 poems about all things related to space. All eight planets have their own poems. He also includes poems about a galaxy, the constellations, the mysterious “black hole” and many other elements of space.
Critical Analysis
Florian organizes his collection of poems by starting with a poem about gazing up into the sky called “Skywatch”. This poem entices reader to actually go out and look up into the sky and use tools such as a telescope or binoculars to see planets, meteors and the constellations. After this introductory poem, Florian presents poems of the more abstract elements of space such as the universe, a galaxy and solar system. From there he introduces poems about more concrete things such as the sun, all eight planets including the one that “got fired”, earth’s moon and comets. This book of poems includes a contents page, a selected bibliography and a “galactic glossary”. The glossary provides information and facts relating to each poem. A quick check of the bibliography confirmed that the further reading listed is geared to adults rather than children. However, these books do seem to have excellent illustrations what would have value in helping children learn more about the elements of space.
Florian organizes his collection of poems by starting with a poem about gazing up into the sky called “Skywatch”. This poem entices reader to actually go out and look up into the sky and use tools such as a telescope or binoculars to see planets, meteors and the constellations. After this introductory poem, Florian presents poems of the more abstract elements of space such as the universe, a galaxy and solar system. From there he introduces poems about more concrete things such as the sun, all eight planets including the one that “got fired”, earth’s moon and comets. This book of poems includes a contents page, a selected bibliography and a “galactic glossary”. The glossary provides information and facts relating to each poem. A quick check of the bibliography confirmed that the further reading listed is geared to adults rather than children. However, these books do seem to have excellent illustrations what would have value in helping children learn more about the elements of space.
The illustrations of gouache, collage, and rubber stamps on primed paper bags are what make this book of poems truly remarkable. Each illustration spans two pages and includes symbols, pictures in the form of collage and stamped words related to the poem’s topic. For example, “Venus” is illustrated with a deep mustard background and a bold red color for the planet. The planet is rubber stamped with numbers from 100-900 to illustrate Venus’ temperature. It also includes a cut out picture of Venus, the goddess of love. The old-fashioned print and images along with just the right colors provide a visually stimulating book that begs to be read repeatedly. Throughout the book, Florian uses circular die cuts to give readers a glimpse of what is to come.
Florian uses a good dose of humor in most of the poems in this collection. By far, the most intriguing is the one about the sad story of a demoted planet.
Pluto was a planet. / But now it doesn’t pass. / Pluto was a planet. / They say it’s lacking mass. / Pluto was a planet. / Pluto was admired. / Pluto was a planet. / Till one day it got fired.
What a great poem to share when discussing the fact that Pluto is no longer considered a planet. Readers of all ages will enjoy this collection of poems.
Florian uses a good dose of humor in most of the poems in this collection. By far, the most intriguing is the one about the sad story of a demoted planet.
Pluto was a planet. / But now it doesn’t pass. / Pluto was a planet. / They say it’s lacking mass. / Pluto was a planet. / Pluto was admired. / Pluto was a planet. / Till one day it got fired.
What a great poem to share when discussing the fact that Pluto is no longer considered a planet. Readers of all ages will enjoy this collection of poems.
Reveiw Excerpts
Horn Book Moving from universe to galaxy to sun, planets to constellations and "the great beyond," Florian sums up the heavens in twenty snappy rhymes. Variants of flame-orange and blues predominate in the full-spread paintings, which incorporate collage-like accents. With its gorgeous palette, sweeping vistas, and ingenious effects (including occasional die-cut holes), this is an expansive and illuminating view of the subject.
Kirkus Stunning mixed-media illustrations accompany a series of poems that celebrate the wonder and mystery of space. From the universe, the sequence narrows its focus to the galaxy, the solar system and then each body in turn, from the sun to poor demoted Pluto, and beyond.
Connections
Pair this poetry book with a nonfiction book that will explain the planets, solar system, the sun or any other element of space. Here are two great choices.
Our Solar System by Seymour Simon ISBN: 0061140082
The Sun ISBN: 0688092365
Author website: http://www.douglasflorian.com/
Here is a link for an interview with the author and information about his poetry kit.
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