lovetodraw's Full Review: Franklyn Mansfield Branley - The Big Dipper
I purchase many of my children's books used, that way even if my children don't really enjoy the book I haven't spent a small fortune on something that just sits on the bookshelf collecting dust. The Big Dipper written by Franklyn M. Branley, became a part of my children's library for a mere $.25 at a yard sale. I bought it mainly because my nine year old son, Nicholas, is interested in anything that has to do with science. Little did I know at the time, that this book would open up a new found interest in astronomy to him!
The Big Dipper is a 32 page, hardcover, Let's-Read-And-Find-Out book measuring 8 1/2 inches tall and 9 inches wide. It is illustrated by Ed Emberly, who has drawn rather simplistic pictures (at least in my opinion) of a young boy, as he tells us about some stars and constellations and how to recognize them.
The book is told from a young boy's point of view, which makes it not only easy for a child to understand, but easy for them to read as well.
As the story begins the boy tells us how he likes to go outside at night and see the stars. He looks at the stars in both winter and summer, but the stars are not the same all the time. Some stars that can be seen all year round on clear nights, are those that make up the constellation, The Big Dipper. See that, only a couple pages into the book and we've already learned something!
Next the boy explains to us that long ago people drank water from dippers. The picture on this page is that of a man from long ago drinking from a dipper, so that we get an idea of what a dipper looks like. The Dipper in the sky looks like a water dipper. The handle has three stars and the bowl has four. The boy then tells us that The Big Dipper is always in the northern sky. We can find it by using a compass, because a compass always points North. Will the learning never end?
As the story goes on we are shown a diagram of The Big Dipper, with each of the seven stars named. Starting at the tip of the handle is Alkaid, Mizar, Alioth, Megrez, Phecda, Merak and Dubhe. The last two stars are called the pointer stars because they point to the North Star. The boy tells us that the North Star is very important because sailors use it to know which way to go.
Why are we told about the North Star? Because it is the first star in the handle of The Little Dipper! Yup, now we can find that constellation too, which by the way also has seven stars!
Next the boy tells us how long ago people believed that The Big Dipper was part of a big bear. The handle of the Dipper was the bear's tail. Eight other stars made up his paws, six others his body, and one bright star was his nose. Sometimes the boy imagines that he can see the bear in the sky. Nicholas and I have tried as well, and he insists that he can see it. Me, I just see stars!
Guess what? The Little Dipper is thought to be part of a little bear! This one is a little harder to imagine and even Nicholas admits that he sees nothing but stars!
The book ends with the boy suggesting taking a friend outside and showing him/her how to find the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and the North Star. Thanks to this book, Nicholas is now able to do this!
In conclusion, if your child shows any interest whatsoever in science, I highly recommend getting them this book.
Other books in the Let's-Read-And-Find-Out collection include:
A Tree Is a Plant
My Five Senses
Rockets and Satellites
Down Come the Leaves
What Makes a Shadow?
The Moon Seems to Change
Find Out By Touching
In the Night
Upstairs and Downstairs
If you find any of these, let me know how they are!
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.