Tag Archives: Astronomy

Nov25

Moon Sailors – Naomi Woodward. Illustrated by Rachel Gregg

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Ford St Publishing

October 2022

ISBN: 9781922696182

RRP: $16.95

If you are exploring the depths of the ocean or the limitless skies or if you simply are looking for a beautiful lyrical book to share with our kiddos, this would be a wonderful choice. It offers so much for even very young readers with elegant poetical prose, enchanting descriptive language and a richness of imagination that will provide much scope for exciting conversation.

As well as this gorgeous linguistic aspect there are the creatures to be discovered and researched – many of them not so well-known: chitons, periwinkles, and jelly moons along with such wondrous aquatic marvels as Neptune’s necklace or iridescent algae. I can already picture a beautiful wall of art going up in the classroom or library to reflect this

But the two children on their journey of imagination are not just relishing the ocean, they are sailing across the night sky, past the constellations and heading towards Earthrise. The illustrations are every bit as captivating as the text with the subtle shades of ocean greens and blues and the night skies’ indigos, blues and pinks. Each spread is a feast for the eyes and you and your readers will delight in close examination of them picking out delicate details.

I have yet to share this one with a class, but hoping I get to visit my little school just over my back fence this coming week or so, with its strong focus on the ocean, being right on the waterfront as it is. I know the children there will just love it as much as I do.

There are some activities free to download but you will be able to conjure up so many follow-up activities to this one as it just lends itself to so many learning experiences whether English, science, STEAM or Environmental studies.

Highly recommended for little readers from Prep upwards.

Click to access GleamingAbaloneColouring.pdf

Click to access RockpoolColouring.pdf

Click to access MoonSailorsWordSearch.pdf

Jun29

The Emu Who Ran Through the Sky – Helen Milroy

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Magabala Books

April 2021

ISBN:
9781925936018

RRP: $22.99

This is the second in Helen Milroy’s exciting series Tales from the Bush Mob and will be as equally welcome as the first, Willy-willy Wagtail. Either as a read-aloud for your younger students or an independent read for your older ones this is definitely one to put on your list, especially with NAIDOC week coming up.

What is particularly lovely about this series is the message that working together with our friends and community we can solve problems which may otherwise seem insurmountable. The shared wisdom and experience of our friends can make all the difference and for Lofty the Emu, who desperately wants to win the big emu race but is too slow and clumsy, it is the knowledge and help of his bush mob mates who help him on his way to success.

Lofty seeks out his expert flier friends to teach him how to fly but as one might expect, despite their best efforts, emus are just not built for flying in the same way as Bat or Eagle or even Sugar Glider, so needs a solution that is completely unique. Luckily for Lofty, Platypus as the Bush Mob’s resident inventor, comes up with a very creative and highly effective solution which enables the emu to soar to success.

As some people might know the Emu in the Sky is a well-known Aboriginal astronomical constellation, with First Australians being the world’s first astronomers and this lively tale echoes this phenomena and will lead to discussions beyond that of written text. [In fact, it is the perfect time of year to observe this constellation.]

I strongly urge you to not only seek out this book to share with your children but to explore the night skies from another perspective.

Highly recommended for independent readers from around 6/7 years upwards – or as a fun read-aloud, as part of your cross-cultural perspective in your teaching program.

Apr19

Meet the Planets – Caryl Hart. Illustrated by Bethan Woollvin

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9781408892985

Bloomsbury Australia

March 2020

ISBN: 9781408892985
Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books

RRP: $14.99

Another terrific book to add to your ‘space/astronomy’ theme and this one is particularly well-suited to younger readers so if you are differentiating your study it would be perfect as a kick-start.

Engaging rhyming text which each heavenly body accompanied by a salient fact and outrageously vibrant and cute illustrations will totally engage not only keen budding astronomers but also those who may not yet be fascinated by the skies above. The colour scheme is wonderful and the touch of neon orange just pops from each page with the planets happy faces smiling their welcome to young readers.

Use this either as a complement to your unit of work or simply as a fun read-aloud – whichever will be a popular addition to your shelves.

Recommended highly for readers from around 4 years upwards.

 

Apr16

Under the Milky Way – Frané Lessac

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1562542914602

Walker Books Australia

January 2020

ISBN: 9781536200959
Imprint: Candlewick
Australian RRP: $24.99
New Zealand RRP: $27.99

 

I had the very great pleasure of meeting Frané at the 2019 Voices on the Coast Literature Festival (thank you again for the lovely sketch of Duffy!) and she is such a wonderful and warm, not to mention talented creator.

While arguably it is for her Australian themed books that (for most readers) she is best known, this one focuses on North America – the USA and Canada – and connects these by means of the Milky Way,  the splendour of which is something which we can all appreciate.

Each vibrant double spread focuses on one location and includes special little facts, both scientific and cultural, that will fascinate readers making this a very beautiful factional offering. It concludes with another spread which gives some fabulous astronomical information about our galaxy.

I absolutely adore this book – Frané’s illustrations alone are always such a joy – and there is no doubt in my mind that young readers will feel likewise. The subject matter is one which is somewhat neglected in our collections for kiddos but is certainly one that deserves to be better known.

Beneath a blanket of stars, crowds cheer at Little League games, campers share fireside stories, bull-riders hold on tight, and sled dogs race through falling snow — all under the Milky Way. Vivid artwork, engaging verses, and facts about the United States and Canada will captivate readers of all ages in a joyful offering from Frané Lessac.

Highly recommended for readers from around 7 years upwards.