Galaxies and the Runaway Universe

Gr 4–6These attractive introductions to the dynamic aspects of astronomy are appealing and engaging. Each two-page subject treatment features four paragraphs in text boxes placed next to the illustration. Most of the pages are black, evoking the inky darkness of space. Glowing gold, white, and blue stars highlight the pages of Galaxies. Easy-to-follow sentences introduce complicated ideas. The author uses down-to-earth comparisons to everyday things to help with explanations, as in Galaxies: "think of towns and cities as galaxies and the countryside between them as space." "A spoonful of white dwarf would weigh as much on Earth as an elephant" communicates the incredible mass of a lightweight star at the end of its life in Stars. Each entry contains easy activities appropriate for classes (a toilet-paper solar system in Planets) and individuals (creating a viewing frame and instructions to count stars in Stars). The only misstep is the liquid measurement given for baking soda in the erupting volcano activity in Planets. Each one-page glossary provides definitions without pronunciation guides, and terms not included in the glossary often show up in the index (e.g., "dark energy" and "dark matter" in Galaxies). Straightforward texts with dramatic and vivid illustrations make these useful additions.Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA