A Star Explodes: The Story of Supernova 1054

by James Gladstone, Yaara Eshet (Illustrator)

Overview

An exploding star in the year 1054 creates fascinating remnants still seen today

The supernova of 1054 was one of the brightest supernova events recorded in history. And its remnant, the Crab Nebula, is still studied today.

Beginning at the moment of a supernova explosion thousands of years ago, this story travels forward in time to 1054, the year people around the world saw the unparalleled light of an exploding star appear in Earth’s sky. The story then travels deep into space to see the remnant of this supernova—the Crab Nebula—followed by a continuing trip forward in time.

Taking a unique approach integrating astronomy, cultural history, and advances in technology, the book encourages readers to think about the world around them and their place in the universe. Told in minimal, poetic text with stunning watercolor and ink illustrations, the book closes with an invitation for readers to imagine a time when they, too, might see the rare event of a supernova shining in the sky.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771474986
Publisher:	OWLKIDS BOOKS
Publication date:	03/14/2023
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 12.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	AD880L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

JAMES GLADSTONE is an award-winning author of picture books for children, including When Planet Earth Was New, Earthrise, and Journey Around the Sun. James lives in Toronto, Ontario.

YAARA ESHET was born in Israel and studied at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. Yaara has illustrated over thirty books for children and adults. She has exhibited her art in galleries and museums, in solo and group exhibitions, in Israel and Canada. Yaara lives in Toronto, Ontario, with her family and a variable number of cats.

Editorial Reviews

"Beautifully composed, impressively 'kid friendly' in commentary and presentation, A Star Explodes is an entertainingly informative and unreservedly recommended addition."

Children's Bookwatch

"Lyrically captures the mysteries of the vast universe while also linking those who marvel at them."

Shelf Awareness

"[Gladstone] always blends the elegance of the scientific world with the factual ... [Eshet] takes us into the heavens, into history, and into glorious landscapes across our world."

CanLit for Little Canadians

"Along with engagingly presented science details and an attractive timeline, a highlight of this work is the feeling of camaraderie it promises to generate in readers, who will meet a relatable, awestruck child gazing at the sky just like they do ... A worthy, artful science purchase."

Booklist

"Gladstone ensures the backbones of his stories are based in research and fact ... It’s made all the more captivating with the watercolour and ink artwork by Yaara Eshet."

Quill & Quire

2022-11-29
The supernova of 1054 C.E. is illuminated.

In 1054 C.E., a light brighter than any star was seen. The book implies that we know about this phenomenon today because it was noted and recorded in China (though this isn’t explicitly stated in the text). The light from the supernova eventually faded from sight. Centuries later, the telescope was invented, allowing astronomers to extend their vision into deep space. And what they saw was a large mass of gas and dust that they named the Crab Nebula for its resemblance to the crustacean. Turns out, the Crab Nebula consists of the remains of the supernova of 1054. Using simple language, Gladstone competently explains this phenomenon—from its sighting nearly 1,000 years ago to its rediscovery as a nebula—although inquisitive readers may be left with unanswered questions: Why don’t all stars end up as supernovas? How do elements in the exploding stars contribute to life? This is not necessarily an omission, since the wonder and awe inspired by the supernova may spur children to further explore the topic. The illustrations, however, all double-page spreads in rather unexciting colors, have a mostly unvaried, straight-on perspective that doesn’t do much to enhance the narrative. Though characters in earlier scenes are Chinese, those in later ones are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A simple introduction to a fascinating topic but with rather wishy-washy illustrations. (information on supernovas, photo) (Informational picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews