A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse

by Kate Allen Fox (Author) Khoa Le (Illustrator)

A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

A poetic and exquisitely illustrated tribute to the solar eclipse and the magic of togetherness, seen through the eyes of a child.​

What happens during a solar eclipse? The sun vanishes. Light becomes dark. Day animals sleep, and night animals wake. The moon takes over the sky. People stop what they're doing and together, they look up. The whole world changes for a few beautiful minutes.

Celebrating a favorite wonder of the universe, A Few Beautiful Minutes encourages young readers to (safely) discover each stage of a solar eclipse, and to experience how this incredible phenomenon can connect us to one another.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus

Starred Review
Like a solar eclipse, this theatrical work of nonfiction is not to be missed.

ALA/Booklist

As libraries prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse in April 2024, which will be viewable in portions of North America, this thoughtful and gracefully illustrated picture book is a strong choice that brings together the entrancing nature of eclipses and the facts surrounding the extraordinary event.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Fox pens an ode to a total solar eclipse, a moment when the moon "steal the sun's glory/ ...for a few beautiful minutes." Le creates vignettes of children of varying skin tones making paper sun viewers that will allow them to safely regard the eclipse, as well as sweeping landscapes from which many species encounter the spectacle. As the sky darkens, wild creatures behave instinctively ("Birds roost for the night/ as crickets and bats wake"). And during the total eclipse, delicate filaments of energy radiate from the sun--the corona's "lightning-like tentacles." One spread zooms in from a crowd scene to a single pale-skinned child, who radiates their own filaments of energy: "one/ tiny/ precious.../ you." The miracle of the eclipse and the miracle of existence are drawn together in this title about the unifying power of coming "face-to-face with the splendor of the universe." Back matter includes instructions for constructing a sun viewer. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-An overview of the phenomenon known as a total solar eclipse. The book not only delves into the scientific aspects but also provides a step-by-step guide for DIY enthusiasts to create their own sun viewer, enhancing readers' safe interactions with the event. What truly sets this book apart is its captivating illustrations. The vivid watercolor imagery captures the awe-inspiring transformation of the environment during the eclipse. The contrasting dark and bright colors create a dynamic portrayal of this celestial dance, offering a genuine and immersive experience for the readers. The fluidity of the artwork evokes the real-time changes during an eclipse, making it a visual delight. Moreover, the inclusion of diverse characters emphasizes the universal impact of an eclipse. It highlights how this natural phenomenon transcends boundaries and affects people worldwide, fostering a sense of unity and shared wonder. VERDICT In a blend of science and art, this book succeeds in making the complex accessible and extraordinarily relatable, making it a valuable addition to any collection's astronomy shelves.

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission. 

Review quotes

* "Rich, poetic language explains the process of a total solar eclipse and ponders its effects on the living creatures below.... The meditative verse offers enough factual information and terminology to make this an excellent choice for a science lesson.... Like a solar eclipse, this theatrical work of nonfiction is not to be missed."
Kirkus, starred review
Kate Allen Fox
Kate Allen Fox is the author of Pando: The Living Wonder of Trees, and her essays have appeared in The New York Times and McSweeney's. After working in public health, she combined her passions for science and the written word and began writing picture books that inspire wonder and curiosity about the natural world. She invites you to visit her online at kateallenfox.com or on Twitter @kateallenfox.

Khoa Le has illustrated numerous picture books, including Beatrice Likes the Dark, The Most Beautiful Thing, Sugar in Milk, and the Sydney Taylor Honor book Miriam at the River, among others. She is also an author, a graphic designer, and a painter. Khoa has a passion for travel, an eagerness to learn about different cultures, and a desire to discover the beauty of the world. She lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and invites you to visit her online at khoaleartwork.com or on Instagram @khoa.le.artwork.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780316416924
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date
September 26, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF013080 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Concepts | Date & Time
JNF051040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Astronomy
JNF051140 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Physics
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Juvenile works
Solar eclipses
SCIENCE / Space Science / Astronomy

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