COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS

By Douglas Florian

1. Bibliography

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

2. Plot Summary

This book contains poems from different aspects of space.  Poems about each planet and the sun can be found in this book.  Also, other things that can be found in space, have their own poem as well.  These include comets, the galaxy, and the black hole. At the end of the book you will find "A Galactic Glossary" were more in-depth definitions for each poem's topic can be found. Florian also includes a poem about Pluto and why it is no longer classified as a planet.

3. Critical Analysis

This book contains a collection of poems written by Florian on the subject of space. These poems have rhymes which are mostly consistent throughout the book. Many young students will enjoy this book about space because some factual information is present along with humor. The poems are good for a read aloud because of the simple rhymes and descriptive language to help children picture the planet in their mind. 

The illustrations in the book are bright and colorful for elementary readers to enjoy. From a note in the book we learn that Florian's illustrations were created using "gouache, collage, and rubber stamps on primed brown paper bags". Each poem is illustrated on two pages so that the reader gets a visual picture.  Children will enjoy finding the letters that are stamped in various corners to spell out the title of the poem.  Some illustrations included words from different languages.  On "The Sun" page, paike, sol, and soare are written around the perimeter of the sun.  We can learn that these words are "sun" from different language translations. On the page with "The Earth" poem, the readers will enjoy seeing the earth and pictures of different animals that live in various countries. 

4. Review Excerpts

~BOOKLIST: "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."

~HORN BOOK FANFARE "With its gorgeous palette (deep-space blues and gaseous oranges), sweeping vistas, and ingenious effects (including occasional die-cuts), this is a cosmic success."

~2008-2009 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

5. Connections
~Read this book as an introduction to a lesson on planets and space.
~Have willing students to participate in a reader's theater.
~Have students choose a topic from this book and complete an inquiry based research project from what they would like to know more about while working in pairs.

6. Other Books by Douglas Florian
UNBEELIEVABLES: HONEYBEE POEMS AND PAINTINGS
BEAST FEAST: POEMS
SHIVER ME TIMBERS!: PIRATE POEMS & PAINTINGS
POEM RUNS: BASEBALL POEMS
POETREES