By James Carter (author) , Mar Hernandez (illustrator)
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Poetry is possibly the best way to convey the wonder of space and our own place in it, and James Carter’s text for this picture book is both precise and inspiring: ‘A sea of stars at last were born/gradually they fired and formed/out of clouds of dust and gas/each a mighty sparky mass’. The artwork by Mar Hernandez is equally beautiful, illustrating the development of life from the big bang to the world as we know it. The last image is of a jumping child – ‘You’re a Star’ – and there’s a page of science facts to end, taking us five billion years into the future.
Young space and science enthusiasts will be captivated by this exciting exploration of the Big Bang and the origins of the universe.
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Once upon a star, there were no stars to shine, no sun to rise, no day, no night. Until . . . a mighty BOOM!
The Big Bang, the formation of the planets, and the origins of life on Earth are made accessible and fascinating in a poetic, jazzy, free-flowing exploration of space, the solar system, and how we all got here. With its rhythmic, and engaging style, this book is a unique and captivating approach to science and STEM topics that will have kids asking to read it again and again-while learning lessons and concepts that really stick.
Parents and teachers will love it too (and will likely learn something!) as their young ones read about our solar system's origins in an inviting , fresh, yet factual format. With art that calls to mind the era of the space race, the book is everything you need: hip, fun, engaging nonfiction for today's young scientists.
Critics love Once Upon a Star :
"The right 'stuff' for young readers who have wondered about the stars and about their place in space."- Kirkus
"Budding scientists and stargazers will find plenty to enjoy in this lyrical introduction to the sun. . . . An excellent resource for STEM-related activities, science curricula, or children who are simply curious about the world around them." -School Library Journal
"traces the march of evolution with crisp, graphic forms." -Publishers Weekly
"A lively, rhapsodic exploration of the cosmos . . . Each page is a stunning visual feast."-Space.com "Carter delivers his mini lesson on the Big Bang, cosmic formation, and the coalescence of stardust in gently unreeling, rhyme-sprinkled verse that has the soothing cadence of a bedtime story." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"a perfect addition to the library of any budding astronaut or scientist."-ReadBrightly.com
James Carte r is an award-winning children's poet. He travels all over the cosmos (well, Britain), with his guitar (that's Keith) to give lively poetry performances and workshops. James once had hair, extremely long hair (honestly), and he played in a really nasty ultra-loud heavy rock band. And, as a lifelong space cadet, James has discovered that poems are the best place to gather all his daydreamy thoughts. What's more, he believes that daydreaming for ten minutes every day should be compulsory in all schools. His poetry titles include Cars Stars Electric Guitars and Orange Silver Sausage (Walker Books) and Time-Travelling Underpants and Greetings, Earthlings! (Macmillan). James was the major contributor to the recent Cbeebies TV series Poetry Pie. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
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Young space and science enthusiasts will be captivated by this exciting exploration of the Big Bang and the origins of the universe.Once upon a star, there were no stars to shine, no sun to rise, no day, no night. Until . . . a mighty BOOM!The Big Bang, the formation of the planets, and the origins of life on Earth are made accessible and fascinating in a poetic, jazzy, free-flowing exploration of space, the solar system, and how we all got here.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Once Upon a Star and determined it is suitable for children aged 5-8 years old
Once Upon a Star features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Recommendations, Stories in Verse, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Poetry Books for Children, Children’s / Teenage poetry, anthologies, annuals, Space, The Natural World, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Featured Books for 5+ readers
Hardback. Not Available.
Once Upon a Star was written by James Carter and published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers an imprint of Random House Children's Books
Once Upon a Star has 32 pages
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