Seeing Stars [Hardcover]

Dandi Daley Mackall (Author), Claudine Gévry (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

PreS-K. In this richly colored picture book decorated with foil-like accents, Mackall introduces the North Star and 10 familiar constellations in the night sky. Though most guides to constellations target elementary-school children, this brightly illustrated volume is accessible to a younger audience. Each double-page illustration shows a scene on Earth with animals and/or people in different terrains (and, presumably, different countries) with a starry sky in the background. The warm colors, simplified shapes, and rounded lines give even these outdoor scenes a cozy look, while the depiction of many ethnic groups broadens child appeal. Rhyming verses that mention the names of the featured constellations are accompanied by small circular illustrations superimposing shadowy figures (bear, lion, Orion) over the star patterns. In the larger illustrations, sparkling foil lines trace the constellations' shapes from shining star to shining star against midnight skies. The verse could have been stronger (and so could the binding), but libraries may still want to have this on hand. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 16 pages
• Publisher: Little Simon (May 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416903615
• ISBN-13: 978-1416903611
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,190,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Science > Folklore & Mythology

More About the Author

Dandi won her first writing contest as a 10-year-old tomboy. Her 50 words on "Why I Want to Be Batboy for the Kansas City A's" won first place, but the team wouldn't let a girl be batboy. It was her first taste of rejection.
Since then, Dandi Daley Mackall has become an award-winning author of over 400 books for children of all ages, with sales of 4 million copies in 22 countries. Recent picture books with Sleeping Bear Press include Legend of Ohio, Rudy Rides the Rails: A Depression Era Story (Notable Book 2008 - Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People National Council of Social Studies & Children's Book Council; winner of the Angel Award, 2008; Winner of the "Award of Excellence" from Chicago Book Show 2007) and 2008 release, A Girl Named Dan (her own "batboy" story, and a lesson on Title IX), 2 Mom's Choice Awards & Amelia Bloom Award. Eva Underground, Harcourt young adult novel, nominated ALA Best Book 2007, starred Kirkus review, awarded a Top Teen Read by New York Public Library, finalist for Ohioana Award, was based on the author's experiences behind the Iron Curtain. Love Rules was awarded Romantic Times' Top Pick. Middle-grade fiction, Larger-than-Life Lara, Dutton/Penguin, which teaches how to write, while tackling the problem of bullying, is on the KY Bluegrass Award List 2007-8; William Allan White Award list, 2008-9; KS and KY Children's Choice lists. Her Winnie the Horse Gentler series has sold over half a million books and Starlight Animal Rescue is a Gold Medallion finalist. Dandi received the 2009 Helen Keating Ott Award for distinguished contribution toward promoting high moral and ethical values in children and young adult literature. She also received the Distinguished Alumna Award in 2008 from the University of Missouri. Dandi is a national speaker, keynoting at conferences and Young Author events, and has made dozens of appearances on TV, including ABC, NBC, and CBS. Visit Dandi at www.dandibooks.com, winniethehorsegentler.com, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85oaIUbJ8j8

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A picturebook introduction to a remarkable collection of constellations and star figures, July 14, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seeing Stars (Hardcover)

With superbly drawn illustrations by Claudine Gevry, Seeing Stars by Dandi Daley Mackall is a picturebook introduction to a remarkable collection of constellations and star figures ranging from Orion the Hunter, to Draco the dragon, to Cassiopeia the Queen, to so many more, all tied together with a charming set of verses commenting on each featured star pattern. Providing a fun understanding of what can be seen when children look up at a clear night sky, Seeing Stars will captivate and entertain young readers with the deftly blending of informative illustrations and rhythmic texts. An ideal introduction to basic astronomy for preschool children and kindergarten students, Seeing Stars is very highly recommended, especially for parents and teachers searching for an informative and easy-to-read compendium of the endlessly enticing stars and constellations to share with children.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Start watching the sky!, December 3, 2006

By 

Avalon (Boise, ID) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Seeing Stars (Hardcover)

My kids and I love this book. About once a month, we take it out at night and look for the constellations. The drawings are very clear about the actual stars in the shapes and only lay a picture over the pattern off to the side. It has nice simple rhymes...Next find the Big Dipper in seven stars there. It's part of the shape that we call the Great Bear. Very nice and this page has pictures of polar bears playing under a night sky. This is a favorite book in our home.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the youngest star enthusiast, July 17, 2009

By 

C. Fenwick (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Seeing Stars (Hardcover)

This is great for very young children. Great illustrations, short stories in rhyming form.