Solar System Forecast
Written by Kelly Kyzer Whitt
Illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein
Get ready for an interplanetary adventure in learning as the green alien leads us through the weathers of the planets and moons of our solar system. What a fascinating way of presenting facts that have to be studied in class, often through not very interesting text books. This forecast aligns itself to the Common Core, so teachers and parents know that what is presented here is what their students have to learn.
The illustrations enhance the text in so many ways. It is so much easier to remember sunspot activities and its consequences when you see a picture of people lined up at a departure desk with the message board showing all departures canceled. The full page spread of a traveller trying to decide what to pack for travel to the planet Mercury is hilarious.
Earth will forever be the “Goldilocks planet” for readers of the book — “not too hot, not too cold, its…..climate is just right..” Fourth grade readers will smile at “junior sized storms” on the planet Jupiter, where the senior storm has been raging for 400 years. And, Saturn’s “weather can be electrifying.”
Each page is a read aloud with many discussion points. Methane-rain, the Uranus year which equals 84 earth years, (with spring break lasting 21 years–oh bliss), Pluto’s atmosphere freezing and falling to the ground (how does that happen?): so many learning opportunities.
The back matter provides additional facts, and the book’s homepage on the publisher’s website has 60-70 pages of additional activities. A rich resource, and a welcome addition to any reading list.
Additional Resources:
Book homepage: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/bookpage.php?id=SolarForecast
Teaching Activities: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/documents/TeachingActivities/SolarForecast_TA.pdf
Related Websites: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/relatedwebsites.php?id=121
Title: Solar System Forecast- Author: Kelly Kizer Whitt
- Illustrator: Laurie Allen Klein
- Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing
- Reviewer: Anjali Amit
- Paperback: 32 pages
- ISBN: 978-1-60718-5321
- Genre: Picture Book/ Science
- Lexile Score: 890
