My Place in Space [Paperback]

Robin Hirst (Author)

Book Description

To the astonishment of the bus driver, Henry and Rosie are able to give their complete address, right down to their hemisphere, their planet, their solar system - and beyond. My Place in Space is the perfect way to introduce children to the wonders of astronomy. With fabulously detailed illustrations by bestselling illustrator Roland Harvey and Joe Levine, this book with enthral children and awaken their curiosity about the Universe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The authors cleverly blend fact with fiction in this unusual picture book. When an arrogant bus driver asks Henry and his sister Rosie if they know where they live, Henry answers affirmatively, and goes on to tell the driver a good deal more than just his address: the boy launches into a lengthy and lucid explanation of the solar system, solar neighborhood, galaxy and supercluster to which Earth belongs. As he talks, accurate and beautiful renditions of the solar system (and beyond) are seen overhead. Meanwhile, down below on a local street, there are many eye-catching happenings--in a building identified as "Bank" a robbery occurs; the culprits are apprehended and jailed in the same building, which has been changing names and is now suitably labeled "Tank." A number of subtle and not-so-subtle alterations take place in the whimsical, double-tiered pictures that combine the work of two skillful artists. The result is an imaginative book that will prove both instructive and entertaining. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- A bus driver injudiciously asks Henry Wilson and his sister Rosie if they know where they live, and Henry obliges in giving his address--extended to the nth degree. As darkness falls and the streets of the small Australian town buzz with all sorts of strange activity, Henry continues his explanation, giving the bus driver an astronomy lesson that omits only the mind of God from the "complete" address. The darkening sky contains precise, almost photographic renderings of the astral phenomena being named, while the goings-on in the village, including a bank robbery, a small green alien wandering about, and signs that keep mutating slightly, are portrayed in scraggly cartoons reminiscent of James Stevenson's work. The mixture works perfectly, and while the bus involved isn't Joanna Cole's "Magic School Bus" (Scholastic), it is certainly an entertaining package that will introduce youngsters to astronomy, add humor to primary-grade science lessons, or just keep the kids occupied as they try to see all that's going on in the detailed drawings a la Waldo .
-Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1741754046
• ISBN-13: 978-1741754049
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,469,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Place in Space, May 20, 2000

By 

Diana Gobbi (Acworth, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Place In Space (Paperback)

This book is an excellent tool to use in teaching geography to children. It gives them a visual picture of where we are in the universe as well as helps them to see the size differences between countries, continents, etc. I use it every year with my third graders, and they love it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite books :), March 8, 2001

By 

Andrea J. Keirstead "GT-ESL" (Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Place In Space (Paperback)

I absolutely love this book. I am a teacher of both English as a Second Language and the gifted, and I have used it with both populations. The space pictures are beautiful, the other pictures are hilarious, and the information is both simply given and interesting. I would take exception to the rating of baby-preschool, both because I know high school students who enjoy it and because there is violence (albeit comical) in some of the pictures. For example, if you look at the playing field, you will see what appears to be a person getting decapitated with a tennis racket.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Place in Space, June 23, 2000

By 

Daniel C. Mcguire (Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Place In Space (Paperback)

As an astronomer and educator, I love to let people know how amazing the universe is. My Place in Space is a fun way to introduce children to the wonders of astronomy and awaken their curiosity. It's especially nice because of the two confident children, Henry and Rosie, who show us that children too can be wise. With vibrant illustrations and accurate text even adults will enjoy it and be left wanting to know more. I have given a copy to everyone I know who has children!