Space Atlas

January 1, 2019
Grades 3-5 Starting on Earth and finishing at the edge of the universe (such as it is understood), this book squeezes the complexity of astronomy into an easy-to-understand atlas format. Each topic (planets, the International Space Station, comets, galaxies, and more) is granted a two-page spread that includes scientific data as well as side boxes with factoids or ephemera. The layout is open and uncluttered, with a lot of room for the color illustrations to dominate the remaining space (no pun intended). Smiling astronauts float about, guiding the reader's attention to noteworthy text. It would have been nice if more gender and racial diversity was represented by the astronauts, whom are almost exclusively white men. All technical jargon is explained both directly in the text and in an ending glossary. This is a book suited for a range of readers, from budding astronomers to readers who simply want to be able to distinguish their moons from their dwarf planets.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)