Once Upon a Starry Night: A Book of Constellations

by Jacqueline Mitton

Overview

National Geographic’s stunning rendition of the constellations’ glittering lightshow is now available in paperback.

Take an illuminating ride through the starry night sky, and learn how the heavens pay tribute to the gods of Greek and Roman mythology. Once Upon a Starry Night explains the ten ancient figures whose legends are written large across the universe. Every page shines with Christina Balit’s vibrant art, studded with shiny stars, and provides the perfect backdrop to Jacqueline Mitton’s poetic text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780792263326
Publisher:	Disney - RHCB
Publication date:	02/01/2004
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	11.29(w) x 8.73(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Dr. Jacqueline Mitton holds an MA in Physics from the University of Oxford and a Doctorate in Astrophysics from the University of Cambridge. She lives in London, England.

Christina Balit studied at the Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College of Art in England. Her work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Royal Festival Hall. Her illustrations grace Zoo in the Sky and The Planet Gods also by Jacqueline Mitton.

Editorial Reviews

This beautiful book encourages children to "Look at the stars! look, look up at the skies!" in Gerard Manley Hopkins's words, by portraying the night sky as "a vast picture book . . . a realm of kings and queens, gods, heroes, and mystical creatures." — Elizabeth Ward

The Washington Post

This team of British astronomer and artist offer another winner in the stars-for-kids department. Mitton manages lucid and extremely brief stories of Orion, Hercules, Andromeda, and so on, and Balit illustrates them in rich velvet colors and often fanciful detail. Ophiuchus (Asclepius) wrestles a crested, scaled serpent; Orion bears a club and wears a lion skin. Silver foil highlights the stars of each constellation in the figures so they do indeed glow, and that adds to the splendid design. Endpapers diagram northern and southern skies with all the constellations. The text closes with brisk, clear definitions of some of the "night sky objects" discussed. Though the stories are extremely abbreviated, this is an attractive beginning. (Nonfiction. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews

"...an enticing riot of color and detail" — School Library Journal

From the Publisher