Items related to The Planets: Neighbours in Space (Spacewatch)
Synopsis
A simple introduction to each of the planets.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Textbook-like introductions, with full-color paintings on every page. Some key words are printed in bold type, and the terms are loosely defined in the text. There is no glossary. Bendick's confusion and error quotient is not quite high enough to dismiss these books out of hand, but in most cases other more interesting and accurate books exist. In Planets , the diagram of the solar system makes no attempt to use scale, and Bendick compounds the problem by speaking of the "big space" between Mars and Jupiter, while ignoring the progressively larger spaces between Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and sometimes Pluto. She also calls Mercury the smallest planet, although the insets correctly show Pluto as smaller. Far more enticing and accurate is Joanna Cole's The Magic Schoolbus Lost in the Solar System (Scholastic, 1990). Franklyn Branley's The Planets in Our Solar System (HarperCollins, 1987) has little description of the planets, but is absolute tops for conveying a sense of size and distance. Stars tries to describe its subject without ever mentioning nuclear fission or light-years. Sun is a bit better than the above titles, but its account of how the sun produces energy is oversimplified to the point of obscurity, and it thoroughly misstates the sunspot cycle. Simon's Stars and The Sun (both Morrow, 1986) are more attractive and less confusing. Branley's The Sun: Our Nearest Star (HarperCollins, 1988) is more limited in scope, but is beautifully clear on size, distance, and how we depend on the sun's energy. Universe concentrates on the idea of the light-year, with a too-brief mention of the Big Bang, other galaxies, and ways our senses fool us in astronomical observations. Simon's Galaxies (Morrow, 1988) combines a brief description of light-years with more pictures of galaxies than most readers need. The reviewed titles illustrate the dangers and difficulties of simplifying science; others have navigated these shoal waters more successfully.
- Margaret L. Chatham, formerly of The Smithtown Library, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
One of four brief, attractive entries in the new ``Early Bird Astronomy'' series, which also includes books on the sun, stars, and universe, all by this well-established science writer. Colorful illustrations and a charming, cogent text combine to make even difficult topics accessible. Here, there are two pages on the solar system as a whole and on each planet. The information would have been enhanced if the facts provided (location, size, temperature, etc.) had appeared in more consistent order--and if the illustrator had been consistent in depicting Earth in relation to the planet under discussion (it is sometimes shown to the right of planets more distant from the sun, sometimes to the left). But, despite minor flaws, a useful addition at this level. Specialized vocabulary (``orbit,'' ``gravity,'' ``core'') appears in bold and is briefly explained in the text. Index. (Nonfiction. 6-9) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherEagle Books Ltd
- Publication date1991
- ISBN 10 1855110768
- ISBN 13 9781855110762
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages32
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