The Big Dipper and You [Paperback]

Edwin C. Krupp (Author), Robin Rector Krupp (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

It shines all night, all year long, pointing directions as steady as a compass, telling time as true as a clock, and marking the seasons as sure as a calendar. American Indians and ancient Greeks called it a bear, the vikings called it a wagon, and many English people call it the plough. Egyptians blessed their mummies with its likeness, and runaway slaves followed it north to freedom -- the Big Dipper.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- An entertaining, informative, and simple presentation for young astronomers. Krupp describes the constellation and its use in locating the North Star, the apparent rotation, the rising and setting of stars, and points out that the stars in a constellation aren't really grouped together in space. He explains how some cultures used the Big Dipper to keep track of the seasons, and points out that the name given to the constellation varies from culture to culture. The illustrations, powerful pencil drawings, will help children visualize the abstract concepts being presented, while adding humor and great visual appeal. Krupp even touches on the shifting of the North Star caused by the wobble in the earth's rotation. Two small quibbles. . .the use of the Dipper to tell time (hours) is mentioned but not really explained, and even in the country well water doesn't usually require the use of a bucket and dipper these days. These minor difficulties will not detract from the overall usefulness of the title, which can easily hold its own when compared with titles in the "Let's Read and Find Out" science series (Crowell). --Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A splendid introduction to the splendors of the heavens. -- --m Kirkus Reviews(pointered review)

"An entertaining, informative and simple presentation." -- -- School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy; 1st Mulberry Ed edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688167020
• ISBN-13: 978-0688167028
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,311,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Big Dipper and You, January 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Dipper and You (Paperback)

Pictures are excellent in black and white, but would have been super in color. It would have made information more appealing. Narrative a bit dry: but gives good information. Not a book a typical person would just pick and read for pleasure; but for research, yes. Good science book for the 3rd through the 8th grade, and also for teachers.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good information but needs colored illustrations, January 21, 2011

By 

IIJuan12 (Sugar Land, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Dipper and You (Paperback)

I read this with my children (ages 8, 4, & 2) while studying constellations. I found the information to be well written and interesting, but the book did not hold my children's interest. I think the lack of color in the illustrations made them eventually lose interest. This book is probably geared for grades 2-5. It does provide more information than The Big Dipper (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1), which has more eye-appealing illustrations, but is probably better suited for Pre-K - 1st grade.