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Out of This World! Stars & Constellations

Young stargazers can find their way through the night sky with a little help from Infosoup!

This booklist was contributed by Appleton Public Library Children's Services Staff, 11/07 

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Learning About the Night Sky

Andromeda by Stephanie True Peters(2003)One book in the "Library of Constellations" series, it provides historic and scientific information about the constellation Andromeda as well as about stars in general.

Constellations by Diane M. Sipiera(1997)Identifies the groups of stars known as constellations and discusses their origin, uses, and observation.

Constellations : a Glow-in-the-Dark Guide to the Night Sky by Chris Sasaki(2006)Reach for the stars, with this beautiful glow-in-the-dark guide to the science and mythology behind the constellations.

Janice VanCleave's constellations for every kid : easy activities that make learning science fun. by Janice Pratt(1997)Describes twenty of the most prominent constellations, including the Big Dipper, Orion, and Cancer, explains how to locate them, and provides instructions for related activities.

The Kids Book of the Night Sky by Ann Love(2004)In The Kids Book of the Night Sky, you'll discover all the secrets the night sky holds. Play a game of "Night Sky I Spy," keep an astronomer's log, read night sky myths and legends from different cultures around the world, and learn about the zodiac, the northern lights, eclipses and more. Then, as the sun goes down and the sky gets dark, you'll be ready for an all-star show!

Night Sky Atlas by Robin Scagell(2004)this atlas illustrates all that science has revealed about constellations, the evolution of stars and galaxies, and the planets in the solar system. Acetate overlays highlight special points of interest to show even more about what we see in the night sky.

Our Stars by Anne Rockwell(1999)A simple introduction to the stars, planets, and outer space.

The Scholastic Encyclopedia of Space by Jacqueline Mitton(1999)Discusses the many aspects of space, including the origin and nature of the universe, space travel, the solar system, and methods of observing the night sky.

See the Stars: Your First Guide to the Night Sky by Ken Croswell(2000)This book introduces readers to twelve of the most prominent constellations, so they look for a different one every month of the year. Readers will find a "Where and When to Look" box, a directional guide to finding each star pattern, and a wealth of interesting information about the constellations.

Sky Watch by Robert Coupe(2003)Discover the fascinating world of the night sky and learn how technology helps us understand Earth's place in space.

The Space Book : Activities for Experiencing the Universe and Night Sky by Marc McCutcheon(2003)Rich with facts and explanations about our solar system and outer space, this book describes a space journey from earth to explore celestial objects, including stars.

Star Watch : a Month-by-month Guide to the Night Sky by Robin Kerrod(2003)This beautifully illustrated volume makes identifying heavenly objects easy. Guided by Starwatch, readers can observe the sky month-by-month as it completes its annual cycle.

Stargazer's Alphabet : Night-Sky Wonders from A to Z by John Farrell(2007)Eye-catching introduction to stars, planets and other celestial sights in light verse and ABC format.

The Stars, a New Way to See Them by H. A. Rey(1980)Originally published in 1952, this is a clear, vivid text with charts and maps showing the positions of the constellations year round, by the author of "Curious George."

The Sun : our Nearest Star by Franklyn Branley(2002)Describes the sun and how it provides the light and energy which allow plant and animal life to exist on the earth.

Walk through the Heavens : a Guide to Stars and constellations and their Legends by Milton Heifetz(1996)Written for the complete beginner, this practical guide introduces the patterns of the starry skies in a memorable way.

Skylore, Stories and Poems

Constellations : the Stars and Stories by Chris Sasaki(2002)Short, lively entries and excellent illustrations explain the story behind each of 88 constellations and include tips for locating them in the sky.

Dot to dot in the sky : stories in the stars by Joan Marie Galat(2003)Includes stories of the constellations, checklist and chart.

book jacketThe Heavenly Zoo : Legends and Tales of the Stars by Alison Lurie(1979)Sixteen legends of the constellations and how they got their names, taken from such varied sources as ancient Greece, Babylon, Egypt, Sumeria, the Bible, Norway, the Balkans, Indonesia, and the American Indians.

book jacketHer Seven Brothers by Paul Goble(1988)Retells the Cheyenne legend in which a girl and her seven chosen brothers become the Big Dipper.

book jacketHow Raven Brought Light to People by Ann Dixon(1992)In this Tlingit Indian tale, Raven gives the sun, the moon, and the stars to the people of the world by tricking the great chief who is hoarding them in three boxes.

How the stars fell into the sky : a Navajo legend by Jerrie Oughton(1992)A retelling of the Navaho legend that explains the patterns of the stars in the sky.

Keepers of the Night : Native American Stories and Nocturnal Activities for Children by Michael J. Caduto(1994)Night is more than just a period of time between sunset and sunrise. In Native cultures nighttime is a crucial part of the Great Circle and balance in the universe, and Keepers of the Night features Native wisdom to help young people learn valuable lessons about the natural world. This book presents a variety of stories of nocturnal animals and celestial wonders, including star tales.

Max's Starry Night by Ken Wilson-Max(2001)Max comes up with a clever way to help his elephant friend Big Blue, who is afraid of the dark.

Once upon a starry night : a book of constellations by Jacqueline Mitton(2003)Presents facts about stars, nebulas, galaxies, and constellations and recounts the Greek myths that provided widely-known names for ten constellations, from Andromeda to Pegasus.

Skysisters by Jan Bourdeau Waboose(2000)Two Ojibway sisters trek across the frozen north country to see the SkySpirits, the Northern Lights.

Star Climbing by Lou Fancher(2006)When he cannot sleep, a little boy imagines himself on a nighttime journey across the sky where he can run and dance with star constellations.

book jacketThe Star Maiden : an Ojibway Tale by Barbara Juster Esbensen(1988)Tired of wandering in the sky, the star maiden searches for the perfect home on earth.

Star Shapes by Peter Malone(1997)Illustrations and rhyming text describe some of the animal constellations seen in the night sky.

book jacketStar tales : North American Indian stories about the stars by Gretchen Mayo(1987)A collection of Indian legends about the stars, moon, and nighttime sky.

Star Walk by Seymour Simon(1995)A collection of poetry and photographs about stars and space.

The Sun is my Favorite Star by Frank Asch(2000)Celebrates a child's love of the sun and the wondrous ways in which it helps the earth and the life upon it.

Tales of the Shimmering Sky: Ten Global Folktales with Activities by Susan Milord(1996)Presents folktales, background information, and activities related to beliefs of peoples around the world about heavenly bodies, the seasons, and the weather.

They Dance in the Sky : Native American Star Myths by Jean Guard Monroe(1987)A collection of legends about the stars from various North American Indian cultures, including explanations of the Milky Way and constellations such as the Big Dipper.

The Zoo in the Sky : a Book of Animal Constellations by Jacqueline Mitton(1998)Large, vibrant full-color paintings and shimmering foil stars make a brilliant connection between age-old stargazing tales and the constellations.

Movies & Media

book jacketAll About Stars(2003)In this DVD, children will learn how stars are formed, why they seem to move across our sky and how we have used their patterns to form the constellations.

book jacketBaby Einstein. Baby Galileo(2003)Introduces little ones to a multitude of wonders up above, including the sun and the moon, fluffy clouds, shimmering stars, colorful planets and whirling galaxies.

book jacketConstellation Myths(2004)Recounts a few of the tales that the ancient Greeks and Romans composed around star formations as they searched for clues about life here on earth.

book jacketPegasus; Beauty & the Beast(2003)This DVD features the strory of Pegasus the Winged Horse from Greek mythology, narrated by Mia Farrow.

Pisces and Gemini : a Case of Vanishing Stars(2001)The Zula Space Patrol depend on the constellations for navigation. One day, while lost in space, they discover that the constellations Gemini and Pisces are missing. Will the patrol be able to escape and enemy attack, and return the constellations to their proper places in the sky or are they lost forever?

Out of This World Booklists

Learning About the Night SkySkylore, Stories and PoemsMovies & MediaDisplay All