LS 5663 Module 2 (3/3)
Bibliography:
Florian, Douglas. Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings. Harcourt, Inc., 2007.
Summary:
This incredibly creative book features 20 poems all about space. Douglas Florian writes and illustrates the collection. Each page features a new topic with a mixed media illustration. Readers will love the creative way the book connects all of the poems. It is a perfect book for a first grader just starting to learn about space, all the way up to a middle school student who will understand the fact that Pluto “was fired”.
Analysis:
The book is very eye catching starting at the cover. The hardback features a book jacket that has a hole to that makes a design with what is revealed underneath. This is the pattern each page takes. I found myself feeling each page for the hole because it so seamingly fits in with the artwork. The book starts with a table of contents that names each poem and the page it falls on. This is helpful to a reader that is just interested in certain aspects of space. The book isn’t limited to the planets. It contains poems such as, A Galaxy, The Black Hole, The Great Beyond and more. The book also contains a glossary at the end. Each glossary entry is matched with a poem (same title). The entries give more information about the subject of the poem. Finally, the book ends with a very helpful bibliography of other books for further reading on the topics. This is a very entertaining book for readers from early elementary to late middle school. The book can be enjoyed one poem at a time or as a complete read through. Some poems so cleverly teach facts while rhyming. My personal favorite is the poem about the moon. Memorizing the rhyme would be a fun way to remember moon phases.
Activity:
After reading The Moon, split the class into 5 groups. Each group will act out their verse any way they choose. Recite the entire poem a few times with each group standing and sharing their part.
Li-Berry-ian 