Friday, April 12, 2013

Poetry Friday: Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars (by Douglas Florian):


Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars (by Douglas Florian):
As with many of Florian’s other books, this space-themed collection incorporates science facts with the  rhyme, rhythm, and imagery of poetry.  The illustrations are a wonderful blend of painting, collage, text, and simple die cut shapes.  The collection begins with general poems about the universe and our solar system.  Next, each planet has its own poem.  Other space elements are covered, such as moon, comets, constellations, black holes, and the great beyond.   The “galactic glossary” explains in prose format, that both compliments and expands the poems, more about each of the objects. 

This collection is ideal for educators and parents teaching about the solar system.   Children get a fun introduction or reinforcement of facts.   They can be challenged to create their own space poems using information that an adult provided or that the children researched.  The illustrations could be used as a spring board for child-created painting/collage depictions of our solar system.   For other solar system books and activities, visit my Pinterest collection

“Venus”
Scalding-hot surface,
Nine hundred degrees.
Nothing can live there,
No creatures,
No tree.
Poisonous clouds
Of acid above.
Why was it named for
The goddess of love?

“The Comet”
Ice, rock, dirt,
Metal and gas—
Around the sun
A comet may pass.
A dirty snowball
Of space debris.
The biggest snowball
That you’ll ever see.


Check out other great poems and poetry anthologies at Random Noodling in honor of Poetry Friday.  


8 comments:

  1. Florian does a great job including facts in a book of poetry; and he does it with a light hand. You don't feel like you're being beat over the head with the science.

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  2. @ Dianne. I like your assessment and agree :)

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  3. I agree with Diane, and a nice twist at the end of that first one.

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  4. Like several others, I love the way that Doug Florian incorporates research/facts/science into his poems. So much fun to read! And such a great model for multi genre research projects!

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  5. I love the fact that these poems contain the wry but gentle wit Douglas is known for...I would've read this all the time as a kid!

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  6. I need to check this book out! I can't believe I missed it! Thanks for sharing this one with us!

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  7. This looks like a beautiful book...and a perfect one for my second grader, who is studying "space science" in school right now!

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  8. As a teacher, this book is one I want to read to my class! Perfect for our unit in science and National Poetry Month! :) Thanks for sharing!

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