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Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations |  | Author: Jacqueline Mitton
Creator: Christina Balit
Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books
List Price: $7.95
Buy New: $3.82
as of 11/24/2009 00:20 CST details
You Save: $4.13 (52%)
New (27) Used (13) from $0.01
Seller: smokymtnbooks
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 11167
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Pages: 32
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.1
ISBN: 0792259351
Dewey Decimal Number: 523.8
EAN: 9780792259350
ASIN: 0792259351
Publication Date: October 24, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
People have always looked up at the stars in wonder, seeking patterns in the sky. This gorgeous picture book, published by the National Geographic Society, introduces children to the constellations that are named for animals--Leo the Lion, the Great Bear and Little Bear, and many more. Christina Balit's striking paintings showcase each constellation against a deep blue background--animals or fantastical beasts positioned in the dark night sky, with the individual stars, metallic and iridescent, superimposed upon them. Each image is accompanied by a short, engaging, often dramatized description of the group of stars and the legends surrounding it, written by distinguished astronomer and writer Dr. Jacqueline Mitton: "Charging through the zodiac, here comes the Bull. Head down, horns thrust forward, Taurus is ready to toss the twins. But they are safe, always on the other side of the Milky Way." The front and endpapers are star maps that show the actual constellations of both the southern and northern skies. Mitton also offers a brief introduction to the constellations and two pages of related discussion on astronomy at the book's end. A lovely choice for anyone interested in the mysteries of the night sky. (Click to see a sample spread. Text © 1998 Jacqueline Mitton. Illustrations © 1998 Christina Balit.) (Ages 6 to 10) --Marcie Bovetz
Product Description
This award-winning book capturing the glittering light show of the constellations is now available in paperback.
Take an illuminating ride through the starry night sky with National Geographic's Zoo in the Sky! Little Bear and the Great Bear in the Northern Sky; the scaly dragon winding his long tail; the Great Dog chasing the Hare in the Southern Sky; all are beautifully rendered in Christina Balit's vibrant art, studded with shiny stars, which perfectly illustrates Jacqueline Mitton's rich text.
Awards include: Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award Parent Council Award REVIEW(S): "A visually dynamic introduction to the animal constellations." —Booklist
"Mitton offers poetic, abbreviated legends of the nighttime sky, while Balit's paintings, highlighted by shimmering silver stars, give visual meaning to the text." —Kirkus Reviews
"This is an attractive introduction to astronomy... [T]he simple poetic descriptions will capture the attention of preschoolers and early elementary-age children alike. A brief explanation of stars and constellations rounds out this lovely and unusual offering." —School Library Journal
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
 AMAZING! August 5, 2009
M. Munoz (Sunny Oregon)
This is a gorgeous book from one of my favorite illustrators. I bought it for my son's 6 year bithday and we had such a great time finding the 'Zoo in the Sky'!
Wonderful Intro to Stargazing March 31, 2008
Sherry North
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Review by Sherry North, Author, Because You Are My Baby
With captivating artwork and just the right amount of information, this book is a wonderful introduction to the constellations. I took my 3-year-old son to the science section of our local bookstore and let him pick out one book, and this is what he chose. He made a great choice, because he asks to see it again and again, and we both enjoy reading it. The star maps at the front and back are very helpful for finding the actual constellations in the night sky - transforming a reading activity into a real-world activity that captures the imagination of preschoolers.
 Nice pictures December 22, 2007
Cathy
This book has nice pictures. Just minimal information though. I was hoping for more historical information on the story of the stars.
Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations May 14, 2007
Baby Girl's Mom (Cleveland, Ohio)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I work with Children in a 3 to 6 year old
in a Montessori school
The children enjoyed the pictures and the stories.
The book encouraged interest in other star activities
TERRIFFIC WAY TO INSTILL ENJOYMENT OF SCIENCE WHEN YOUNG! April 26, 2006
Maureen A. Blake (Purcellville, VA USA)
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
THIS WAS A FANTASTIC BOOK THE MY FOUR GIRLS UNDER AGE 5 JUST LOVED! The illustrations are beautiful and the writing conveys information of constellations in a teriffic STORYTELLING MANNER which doesn't come across as DIDACTIC but rather ENTERTAINING AND ENGAGING FOR EVEN THE LITTLES ONES! What is particularlly nice is that it tells when in the year and where in the sky each constellation can be found so it can be used to help facilitate the activity of star gazing looking for constellations. Even my 1 1/2 year old was interested in this "story"!
This is a TOTAL ASIDE, but I think it particularlly important as a parent to emphasize exploration of science WHEN HOME with Preschoolers and young school age children as in my experience with six children THUS FAR in two different states our schools just HAVE TO SPEND THE BULK OF THEIR TIME TEACHING READING SKILLS to the whole class and unfortunately IN DOING SO, HAVEN'T REALLY EVEN INCORPORTATED SCIENCE in the curriculum of early education but leave it for later years. The amount of time spent on teaching science at all is SO SMALL that books like this are just invaluable as studies also show that interests and skills and abilities of people are greatly influenced by EXPOSURE in the EARLY CHILDHOOD YEARS!
STUDIES in education consistently demonstrate GENDER BIASES STILL EXIST regarding educating GIRLS in the areas of math and science. THEREFORE I was particually pleased my four little girls LOVED THIS BOOK.
This was a book I recommend for anyone- regardless of gender, and regardless of AGE as it can be helpful to anyone who has interest in learning about constellations. It also has a page of great information AFTER THE STORY teaching about the context of the sun and stars in our solar system WHICH I FOUND VERY HELPFUL AND UNDERSTANDABLE by my four little ones when I read it to them (with some modification using simpler language).
I was pleased that my girls really were EXCITED by this book and are longing to watch the stars to find constellations some night.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
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