Summary: Unlock the secrets of the universe!
Do you know how space affects our day-to-day? Find out why the Sun rises and sets, how days and years are calculated, how to orient yourself by looking at the sky, and more amazing secrets hiding right in our solar system, galaxy, and universe.
Investigate and experiment like a real scientist with built-in flaps, pop-ups, and mechanisms!
(Summary from back of book – Image is mine – This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review)
My Review: The Sun and the Planets is an interactive exploration of the solar system, where young readers (ages 5-10) can learn about all sorts of space-related topics, such as: the sun and the planets, the earth’s axis, rotation, and atmosphere, the moon and its phases, the stars and constellations, the international space station, space suits, satellites, comets, asteroids, dwarf planets, meteoroids, and even briefly explore the larger galaxy and universe.
I loved the educational and interactive elements of this book which puts space into perspective in a way that young minds can grasp and young hands can physically grasp. Like, literally; they can lift, fold, twist, slide, and otherwise manipulate something on every page, including: rotating the earth around the sun and the moon around the earth, controlling the rising and setting of the sun, recreating the phases of the moon, and more. As someone who has always been fascinated by the stars, I especially loved the section on constellations with its removable star chart. The text is full of fascinating space facts and bite-sized bits of info, giving readers just enough without overwhelming them with the vast amount of information we know (and the even more vast amounts of information we don’t) about space.
I really only had two minor issues that highlight my own persnickety nature, but should not affect your child’s overall enjoyment of the book. First, I am a little bewildered at the choice of colors on the front cover. Inside the book, the sun is a brilliant yellow, but on the cover it is beige. I feel like the book would be more eye-catching if the colors on the outside aligned a little more closely with those on the inside. Second, the title indicates that this is a pop-up book, but although the interactive elements in this book are really cool, most do not ‘pop’ up in any real sense without assistance.
That having been said…
The Sun and the Planets is a great little intro into the study of stars, space, and the planets, and deftly transforms the massively mind-bending concept of astronomy into bite-sized opportunities for learning, perfect for young readers. It may be leveled for ages 5-10, but when I asked my youngest (age 11) whether she’d like to keep this book or donate it after I finished writing this review, she screeched KEEP IT! before I even finished asking the question. So, there’s that.
My Rating: 4 Stars
For the Sensitive Reader: All clear.
