Module 14 – Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars by Doug Florian

1. Citation - Florian, Douglas. Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars. Apr. 2007. 56p. illus. Harcourt, (9780152053727)
   
2. Summary – A collection of poems with a celestial theme. Each poem has a full page illustration dedicated to it. The notation of each poem can vary from standard to spiraling words. All the planets are represented as well as many other celestial bodies. None of the poems are very long, but the theme is one that can span age-groups.
   
3. Impressions of the Book- The poetry in this book is both informative and artful. None of them are boring, and they all have something special. It is a book of possibilities, as anyone who has ever been interested in space and "what's out there" is curious about possibilities. This creative and decorative book is a wonderful addition to any library, and appropriate for any age.
   
4. Reviews - Phelan, Carolyn. Booklist, 4/1/2007, Vol. 103 Issue 15, p50, 1p; (AN 24811619)
   

   (This) large-format book looks at astronomy through the magnifying, clarifying lens of poetry. 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. A concrete poem entitled "a galaxy" is a curling spiral of words set against the midnight-blue sky and surrounded by other galaxies. Stamped type, cutout pages, collage elements with printed papers, and sweeping brushstrokes all figure prominently in the expressive collage artwork, which ably illustrates the verse. The last pages carry "A Galactic Glossary" with a paragraph on the topic of each poem, followed by a list of books and Web sites. Florian's ode to Pluto matter-of-factly notes its demoted status, but even better is his pithy poem on Jupiter: "Jupiter's jumbo, / Gigantic, / Immense, / So wide / Side to side, / But gaseous, not dense. / With some sixteen moons / It's plainly prolific— / So super-dupiter / Jupiterrific!" Read this aloud.—Carolyn Phelan
   

   
    

5. Use in a library setting – This book would be a wonderful suggestion for 3^rd or 5^th grade teachers as they prepare their science units on the planets and space. If they are unable to use it in the class, it would be nice for library time during the same unit (collaborating with other colleagues).