Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations

by Jacqueline Mitton

Other authorsChristina Balit (Illustrator)
Paperback, 2006

Status

Checked out
Due Mar 5, 2024

Local notes

523.8 Mit

Barcode

6572

Collection

Publication

National Geographic Children's Books (2006), Edition: Reprint, 32 pages

Description

Identifies the groups of stars known as constellations and discusses their origin, uses, and observation.

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1998

Physical description

32 p.; 8.44 inches

User reviews

LibraryThing member mlcraft
This is a cool introduction to astrology. The illustrations are drawn with metallic stars outlining the constellations. Children would love this as they begin to learn about our astrology.
LibraryThing member karsenault07
Genre: Informational
This book is a great example of informational because it goes through the star constellations in a fun way for children to understand. The end pages of the book have the Northern sky and Southern Sky constellations and each page uncovers another mysterious animal or object
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constellation. At the back of the book it answers the question, "What are stars?" and has informational bits about The sky above you and The constellations. Since this book is informational it has no plot, setting, or characterization
Art Style: Painting
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LibraryThing member CamilaDeVeau
Summary: The first and last pages of Zoo in the Sky are pictures of the stars over both the north and south poles. These pictures explain where all the constellations can be found. Each page after that in Zoo in the Sky contains a short story on each of the animal constellations and what they
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represent. It also contains when and where you can find the different constellations.
Teaching Implications: Zoo in the Sky could be used to introduce constellations and the stories behind each of the constellations. The illustrations in the book are attractive, enticing and full of vibrant color. They pull the reader into the story that presents them. The second to the last page in the book is an informational page that discusses what stars and constellations are and what goes on in the sky above us. This could be used to help explain to the students the abstract concept of what constellations are and where they came from. This book could be used to introduce a writing topic of the students creating their own constellation and story about the constellation.
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LibraryThing member janeyiaC
This book gives information on astronomy with metallic stars that outline constellations using animals. This will appeal to all students, especially students who are interested in stars and space. I would also have this in my science learning center, where children are able to learn about astronomy
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at their own pace.
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LibraryThing member CLDoyle
Appropriate grade level for this book would be 2nd grade to 4th grade. This book hasn't received any awards. This book is a beautiful introduction to astronomy with metallic stars that outline the constellations. This attractive book with poetic descriptions can also be used as as introduction to
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mythology. This book is going to allow children to learn about stars and animals at the same time. Uses in the classroom for this book would be to create their own starry sky by using black paper and chalk or poking holes through paper, turning the lights off and using a flashlight to flash the image on the wall to reveal each constellation they have created.
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LibraryThing member DanielleHuslinger91
A gorgeous introduction to astronomy with metallic stars that outline the constellations. This attractive book with poetic descriptions can also be used as an introduction to mythology. This would be a good book for a lesson about mythology, and how we can see some of the constellations in the
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night sky.
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LibraryThing member crisoneg
The illustrations and colors in this book at phenomenal! Certainly for the older grades or high level reader, a great introduction to constellations!
LibraryThing member dbushnell3
I selected this book from my school's library to use after our field trip to the planetarium. The students were introduced to the constellations and thought this would be a great read with them. However, I found it was not appropriate for their age (1st grade). The information was a bit
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overwhelming for them and they had a hard time understanding. They did like flipping through the book and studying the pictures. This book is for students in 2nd through 5th grade. The cover is visually appealing and catches the readers interest. The author describes the constellations with vivid descriptions and simple explanations. I feel this book could be used as an introduction into mythology. I would not suggest this book as a read aloud to students but rather a book to them to read independently.
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LibraryThing member pambam_11
Summary: An educational and informational way to introduce constellations in the classroom. Each page has an animal or mythical animal and the constellation that they come from. It also has a small story, and what it represents. it also gives you use full information on different
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constellations,where they located at, and when you could see them.

Personal: i think it is a great book to introduce constellations.

Classroom:1) have the students go out at night and draw a picture of the constellations that they had seen.
2) Ask the students what they think stars are.
3)Have them write down what is their favorite animal constellation from the book and why.
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LibraryThing member magen.rauscher
This informational book on constellations allows the readers' imagination to run wild as they look into the sky.The author personifies the numerous constellations of the sky. With each scene the illustrator is able to tell the story of each of the constellation
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
British physicist Jacqueline Mitton and illustrator Christina Balit team up in this gorgeous picture-book examination of the constellations. Profiling nineteen stellar groupings - eight from the northern sky, eleven from the southern - the book gives a brief description of the location of each, and
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of the animal they are said to resemble. The decorative endpapers show a star map of the northern and southern skies...

One of a number of picture-books about celestial bodies from Mitton and Balit - other titles include Once Upon a Starry Night: A Book of Constellations, The Planet Gods: Myths and Facts About the Solar System and Zodiac: Celestial Circle of the Sun - Zoo In the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations was first published in 1998, and appears to have been their first collaboration. I recall looking through it, when it first came out, and, having long been an admirer of Balit's artwork, am glad to have reread it today. The illustrations here are absolutely gorgeous! I would have liked it if there had been more information about the mythological underpinnings of some of these constellation names, or more stories about them, but I still think it makes a good introduction to the general idea of constellations for younger children. For my own part, I have always had some trouble seeing the actual animals, when looking at constellations in the sky, but I still enjoy the idea that others have found such a creative way to identify them. I'd love, at some point, to see some kind of global comparative work, listing the constellation names and configurations from different cultures, over time. Recommended to young sky watchers and star lovers.
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LibraryThing member BibliLakayAyizan
As always, Christina Balit’s illustrations are breathtaking. A book about stars and how they inspired our ancestors greatest stories. A poetic way to learn about constellations.

Pages

32

Rating

½ (28 ratings; 3.9)
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