A Planet Is a Poem
by Amanda West Lewis (Author) Oliver Averill (Illustrator)
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.
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School Library Journal
Gr 3-5--A combined exploration of poetry and our solar system, this book covers both with an eye to detail. A brief overview of planets and poetry begins the narrative. The poems cover the solar system from planets to belts, and what lies beyond. Each poem is on a gatefold atop a spread. Under the gatefold is a rectangle with a couple of paragraphs sharing facts about the poem's topic. On the back of the poem page, a circle contains an explanation of the type of poetry used. The illustrations are in bright hues with collage-style drawings. For example, Jupiter is shown against a blue background with a rocket heading towards it. The text of the concrete poem, "Jupiter the Giant," is written on the exterior of the planet in different colors: "The Giant Red Spot is shrinking, tearing off, vanishing, into spinning clouds." The fact rectangle tells Jupiter's place in and impact on the creation of our solar system. Fourteen different types of poetry feature the sun through the Kuiper Belt, with a mention of the mysterious potential Planet X. The final illustration shows the full solar system. Lewis ends the book by encouraging readers to write poems based on Planet X. A glossary and resources are provided. VERDICT This combination of poems and planets is a fun way to introduce readers to both. An excellent purchase, though the full-page gatefolds may limit shelf life.--Tamara Saarinen
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.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.
JNF051040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Astronomy
