Monday, April 1, 2019

The Day the Universe Exploded My Head: Poems to Take You Into Space and Back Again by Allan Wolf, illustrated by Anna Raff [Review & 2-winner Giveaway - USA/CANADA]

ISBN: 9780763680251
Buy it on Amazon
My thoughts:  You really have to dig into this children's astronomy and poetry book to totally enjoy it. It is not a simple read since it has vocabulary words the young child won't normally know or understand. Also, the scientific facts would be a bit over their head (and yes, a pun is intended).

But the book is fun. It has a good smattering of scientific information explained in a pretty elementary manner. It takes the reader all over the Universe or rather Solar System giving glimpses of what each planet is like, orbits, positions, what they are made of, etc.

Great poetry? No. Good poetry? Probably not. Does it work? I think it does.

I particularly liked the "choric speaking" style of some of the poems. This would give grand opportunity for a classroom to use the poems for a bit of fun when studying the Solar System or astronomy. (Note: I do object to the small print of these poems on the black pages. Hard to read.)

The book seems to be just made to be read aloud. Great for classrooms or home school situations. Aside for the fun and intellectual poems about the Universe, there are a few pages at the back of the book with real scientific explanations and a glossary of word/phrase definitions.

Don't you just love it when education is made fun?





About the book: The Day the Universe Exploded My Head: Poems to Take You Into Space and Back Again by Allan Wolf,  illustrated by Anna Raff
Hang on tight for a raucous bounce through the solar system and back -- propelled by funny, fanciful, factually sound poems and exuberant illustrations.

The universe poured into me. 
My brain was overloaded. 
It smoked and glowed red-hot. 
And then 
it actually exploded.

Ever wonder what the sun has to say about being the closest star to Earth? Or what Pluto has gotten up to since being demoted to a dwarf planet? Or where rocket ships go when they retire? Listen closely, because maybe, just maybe, your head will explode, too. With poetry that is equal parts accurate and entertaining -- and illustrations that are positively out of this world -- this book will enthrall amateur stargazers and budding astrophysicists as it reveals many of the wonders our universe holds. Space travelers in search of more information will find notes about the poems, a glossary, and a list of resources at the end.
GIVEAWAY
2 Winners Selected
Begins April 1
Ends April 30 at 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA & CANADA addresses.
NO P.O. Boxes, please. (Phone # for Canada winners required)
a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone, and are freely given. Winners' copies are provided and shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick.

13 comments:

  1. "1 thing you discover that is good to know...." The author likes to wear wacky oversize eyeglasses decorated with stars.

    "2 another thing you think is good to know...." The author has won prestigious awards.

    ReplyDelete
  2. "One other book you would like to have." "A New Home" by Tania de Regil.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would love to win this book for my granddaughter.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like that there are study guides for the books for teachers. Also, there are awesome poetry jokes called "po-jokes" which I've never heard of before.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would love to have What Color Is My World? The Lost History of African-American Inventors.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'd also like to have a new home, the board book.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Two fun facts about the author:

    1. He can recite hundreds of poems from memory.
    2. He plays drums in a band.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  8. From Candlewick Press, I'd like to have their book A Pig Named Mercy.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would like A Piglet named Mercy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Things I discovered about the author:

    1. He can ride a skateboard standing on his hands.

    2. He dreams of one day living in a house with a secret room.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would like to have Caterpillar and Bean.

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1) Allan Wolf has quite a few upcoming appearances at schools.
    2) He has a Third Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This looks like a good book for our homeschool! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday at Mommynificent.com this month!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment here at Chat With Vera. If you need to contact me directly, please use the "Comment Me" email associated with this blog and posted in the sidebar.