The Sun: Our Nearest Star (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science) [Hardcover]

Franklyn M. Branley (Author), Edward Miller (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2002 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2

The sun is a star, like billions of others. But it is the star that is closest to us. It keeps us warm and gives us light and energy. Without the sun, there would be no life on Earth.

Read and find out what the sun is made of. Find out how hot it is, how far away it is, and how long it takes for its light to reach Earth. And try an experiment that will show you how sunlight helps plants grow.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-2-The third edition of this title pairs bright, computer-produced cartoon art with a basic discussion of the sun and its importance to life on this planet. The pictures and text work closely together to impart such information as how large, hot, and distant the sun is, and how its energy is stored, not only in the foods we eat, but also in the fossil fuels we use. However, as Branley concludes with a particularly poorly thought out sundial project, and neglects to recommend books or Web sites, or to warn readers about the dangers of gazing directly at the sun, Paulette Bourgeois's The Sun (Kids Can, 1997) and Allison Lassieur's The Sun (Children's, 2000) make preferable replacements for the older edition (1988).
John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

K-Gr.2. This edition marks the third incarnation of an old standby from the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. The gently edited text reads better than the old one. The new design features a larger format, bolder typography, and eye-catching artwork. In the stylized illustrations, created using digital software, Miller distills figures down to their essential forms and creates pleasing compositions that range from a dark, cold world without a sun, to a close-up picture of the sun that seems to blaze from the page. A handsome new edition of a library staple. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Revised edition (May 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060285346
• ISBN-13: 978-0060285340
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,383,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Franklyn Branley was Astronomer Emeritus and former Chairman of the American Museum-Hayden Planeterium. In 1960, he originated the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, dedicated to explaining science to young children and encouraging them to explore their world. Dr. Branley is the author of over 150 science books for children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Short and shallow, February 23, 2010

By 

JoJo Circus - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sun: Our Nearest Star (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out) (Paperback)

I'm a big fan for the series (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out) and so far I had bought 40-50 books so I'm really surprised when I got this book. I'm truly disappointed as this book is by far the shortest of all (only 19 pages of story instead of the usual 26-28 pages). On top of that, the fonts are huge so it "fills up" the page without providing any significant material. The add insult to the injury, the text is only every other page, so you have this double-page spread of picture with very little text (feels like a picture book instead of Level 2 of this series).

I finished reading the book for my kids in 2 minutes. Usually it's about 8-15 minutes, with few titles are up to 20 min. Very unhappy with this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Science Must Have for Little Kids, July 23, 2011

By 

Shane (Charleston, WV, United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sun: Our Nearest Star (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out) (Paperback)

I bought this book for my nephew. He loves it! It gives enough information that the child learns new things but not so much that he can't understand. He's four and he's asking lots of questions. We've actually purchased a number of books from the "Let's read and find out Science 2" series and they all provide lots of information. His mom says that she even learns new things from them.

A great value and an asset to any child's library.