Poetry

Comets, Stars, The Moon and Mars -- Douglas Florian

Florian, Douglas. 2007. COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS. Ill. Douglas Florian. New York: Harcourt. ISBN 9780152066253

In this topical poetry book, Florian has created an engaging, kid-friendly approach to introduce space objects.  In the collection of 20 poems the reader will enjoy verse that contains interesting information about anything from the universe to Pluto.

Florian's use of gouache, collage and rubber stamp creates a fun, whimsical background for verse that is packed with information, but still engaging with the use of rhyme and rhythm. The use of cut-outs adds a peek-a-boo feel which builds the excitement to know what the next term will be. Additionally, creative use of language is fascinating.  Only a wordsmith could find interesting facts that rhyme like "planetesimals" being measured in "decimals".

The majority of poems are written in a regular form of stanzas, but it does contain at least one shape poem. A "Galactic Glossary" is also included in the rear of the book which provides a description of each space object written about in the poetry. Additional resources and a selected bibliography is also included which can provide more information for interested readers.

School Library Journal review:  "This one literally sings the music of the spheres."
Kirkus Review: "The verse is characteristically playful, wrapping itself around astronomical facts with ease."

*Use the SkyView app to allow students to find the objects mentioned in the poems.
*Create acrostic poems for the space terms (try to use facts)