POETRY

Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars:

Space poems and paintings

 

 

 

 

written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Harcourt
Orlando, Florida
2007

SUMMARY

With these poems, Florian shares facts about each of the planets along with other celestial bodies.  The poems are rhythmic, using short lines that rhyme to provide information about each topic.  One poem, "A Galaxy," is written in a fun spiral shape, yet still includes rhyming phrases.
Florian includes a circular-shaped die-cut on many of the pages, providing readers with a quick, sometimes mysterious peek at what is coming up next.  This book helps create an interest in the universe and the elements that hold it all together.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars opens with a table of contents, providing readers with an easy way to locate poems about specific topics related to space.  Florian has organized the poems starting with the largest view, "Skywatch" and "The Universe," then moving away from the sun until he focuses on comets, black holes, and the great beyond.

The illustrations appear to have a wash of watercolors in the background with simple labeled shape in the foreground.  The pictures are not realistic depictions of the planets or space, but they are interesting and visually appealing.  The die-cut provides one more aspect of interest for the reader.  Often the die-cut is not noticed until the page is turned, which gives the reader an element of surprise.

Florian ends his book with a “A Galactic Glossary” and, through this section, shares important information about each of the topics in the book.  This gives readers another push toward further research.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

The New York Times Book Review:  “The poet-painter’s latest book brings warm wit to the outermost reaches of cold, dark space. . . . Florian’s illustrations depict the marvels of space with luminous texture and detail.”

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."

Kirkus Reviews:  “Stunning mixed-media illustrations accompany a series of poems that celebrate the wonder and mystery of space.”

CONNECTIONS

After reading Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars, students could make mobiles of the planet and other heavenly bodies.

After reading Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars, students could write their own poetry.  This might be about planets, stars, and Mars, but could be any non-fiction topic.  The poems would show them that poetry can be factual and give them a framework for developing another non-fiction topic into poetry.

AWARDS

Horn Book Fanfare List - Best Books of 2007 Poetry
Kirkus Reviews - Best Children 's Books 2007



Florian, D. (2007). Comets, stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space poems and paintings. Orlando: Harcourt. ISBN-13: 9780152053727