COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS: SPACE POEMS AND PAINTINGS by Douglas Florian

Bibliography

Florian, Douglas. 2007. COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS: SPACE POEMS AND PAINTINGS. Orlando: Harcourt. ISBN: 9780152053727

Plot Summary

This book is a topical collection of poems about astronomy.  It includes 20 poems about all of the planets in our solar system as well as poems about black holes, asteroids, comets, constellations, etc.  All of the poems rhyme and are a blend of science and humor.  

Critical Analysis

Each poem manages to rhyme, describe a planet or other celestial body, as well as be humorous.  The illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and complement the poems perfectly.  There are cutouts throughout the book that line up and help illustrate the poem in a fun way.  The book contains many examples of alliteration, for example when Florian uses the words "Jupiter's jumbo" or "Jupiterrific."  The poem titled "Galaxy" is in the shape of a spiral making it the only shape or concrete poem.  The book overall was very informative and even contains a glossary at the end of the book titled "Galactic Glossary."  It gives interesting facts about each poem's subject.  Florian even provides a list of books and websites pertaining to astronomy.

I asked my 10 year old niece to read this book aloud to her 8 year old brother and 5 year old sister.  She found the poems to be short and easy to read as well as funny.  They all enjoyed the way the poems rhymed and were really excited to see what the cutouts would reveal.  My nephew especially loved this book since he is really into astronomy.  He even read the book again, and was really interested in the facts listed in the "Galactic Glossary."

Review Excerpt(s)

2008 Bluebonnet Award Nominee

2009 Beehive Children's Poetry Book Award Nominee

2009 Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee

2009 Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee

2010 Garden State Children's Book Awards Nominee

BOOKLIST review: "This large-format book looks at astronomy through the magnifying, clarifying lens of poetry. Each broad double-page spread features a short, accessible poem about a subject such as the sun, each of its planets, a comet, a constellation, or the universe, set within an impressive painting. A concrete poem entitled a galaxy is a curling spiral of words set against the midnight-blue sky and surrounded by other galaxies. Stamped type, cutout pages, collage elements with printed papers, and sweeping brushstrokes all figure prominently in the expressive collage artwork, which ably illustrates the verse. The last pages carry A Galactic Glossary with a paragraph on the topic of each poem, followed by a list of books and Web sites. Florian's ode to Pluto matter-of-factly notes its demoted status, but even better is his pithy poem on Jupiter: Jupiter's jumbo, / Gigantic, / Immense, / So wide / Side to side, / But gaseous, not dense. / With some sixteen moons / It's plainly prolific-- / So super-dupiter / Jupiterrific! Read this aloud." Carolyn Phelan

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: "Just in time for Young People's Poetry Week (April 14-20), several volumes come to the fore. Douglas Florian takes to the skies with his Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings. Die-cut holes in the pages reveal planetary delights. A star painted on the full-bleed spread for "The Universe" ("The universe is every place,/ Including all the e m p t y space"), for instance, shows through a die-cut hole in the spread for "A Galaxy," the text of which spins in a spiral, mimicking the barred and eliptical spirals featured in the illustration."

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Nothing gladdens the heart of believers of good poetry for children more than a new collection by Florian. . . . This one literally sings the music of the spheres. . . . In both language and artwork, Florian strikes the perfect balance between grandeur and whimsy."

Connections

• This book could be used to introduce a science class to astronomy.
• Children can draw pictures of their favorite planets or objects from outer space.
• Students could write their own poems about space.
• Could be shared when camping or stargazing.

Other books by Douglas Florian:

• Florian, Douglas. 2009. DINOTHESAURUS: PREHISTORIC POEMS AND PAINTINGS. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9781416979784
• Florian, Douglas. 2012. UNBEELIEVABLES: HONEYBEE POEMS AND PAINTINGS. New York: Beach Lane Books. ISBN: 9781442426528
• Florian, Douglas. 1999. WINTER EYES. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 9780688164584