A Planet Is a Poem Format: Hardback

Science and poetry combine in an out-of-this-world exploration of the wonders of our solar system.

From a ballad of Earth and an ode to the sun to a villanelle for Venus and a sestina for Saturn, here are 14 original poems about planets and other bodies in our solar system. Each poem is written in a different poetic form that’s been chosen to reflect the object’s unique characteristics, and each is bursting with intriguing details sure to capture readers’ imaginations. Why is Mars known as the Red Planet? How many moons does Jupiter have? And what exactly is the Kuiper Belt? Budding astronomers, young and old, can find the answers to these questions and many more in this innovative, enchanting book.

Amanda West Lewis’s unique and engaging poems and text are lavishly illustrated with stunning artwork by Oliver Averill that celebrates the vastness of space while bringing its curious objects to vivid life. Every spread features a stunning space scene, a poem and a fold-out flap that, when opened, reveals easy-to-understand science facts about the object as well as an explanation of the poetic form used and why it was matched with that object. From sonnet, free verse and persona to prose, acrostic and hip-hop poems, there are 14 poetic forms to enjoy. With loads of curriculum connections in Earth science and language arts, this immersive and beautifully crafted book is a terrific choice for STEAM lesson plans. The back of the book contains a glossary, references, an activity, an illustration of our solar system and an index.

Amanda West Lewis is the author of eight books for young readers, ranging from craft books to historical novels, and has an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is also a theater director, calligrapher and drama teacher and the founder of the Ottawa Children's Theatre. Born in New York City, Amanda now lives in Brooke Valley, Ontario, with her husband, writer Tim Wynne-Jones.
Oliver Averill is an illustrator based in the West Midlands of the United Kingdom. He graduated from Falmouth University with degree in illustration and is inspired by history and most things old fashioned. He is the illustrator of several books and the author-illustrator of The Boy from the Moon.