Star Finder!: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Night Sky

by D.K. Publishing

A novel approach to stargazing, this stunning space book features step-by-step guides to identifying the key constellations across the northern hemisphere.

What do you see when you look up into the sky? Have you ever wondered what the stars mean? Or how they are connected? Or what each constellation is called? If so, then this may be the book for you! Little stargazers will enjoy paging through this awe-inspiring astronomy book and learning all about the constellations, their forms, shapes, and stories. This stunning space book for kids explores different groups of stars specific to the Northern Hemisphere, with step-by-step guides to identifying key constellations, star-spotting, and planet spotting!

Sprinkled with stardust on every page, budding stargazers aged 9 and over can  

- A glow-in-the-dark night-sky viewer included with the book
- How to follow pathfinder stars to locate constellations
- Crystal clear diagrams and illustrations 
- Easy-to-read maps
- Fact panels that explain constellations and space science
- The final spread of each chapter shows all the stars in the sky with constellations unmarked so that readers can practice star-hopping
- Profile's of galaxies and nebulae in the night sky

Star Finder! is packed with high-quality imagery, maps of constellations, and tips to spot stars and patterns, to keep the kids enthralled, engaged and inspired. Discover striking pictures of the night sky in this amazing astronomy book for children. The innovative step-by-step approach to learning the key features of the night sky and compelling, easy-to-understand graphic style makes for the beginning of a keen interest in astronomy. This compelling guide on constellations for kids also covers planets, spotting nebulas, the milky way, shooting stars and more. 

A must-have volume for budding astronomers aged 9+, the informative and accessible guides featured throughout provide crystal clear instructions on recognising the constellations one by one, as well as pronunciation aids to some of the complex constellation names, and also featuring practice star maps for each season, so curious kids will find it easier than ever to navigate the night sky!

Genres: Astronomy, Nonfiction, Science, Space, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2017

About the author

Dorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.

Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Mary Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed with this book. Somehow, with all my moving around when I was younger, I never learned the constellations in school. But traveling to Big Bend means experiencing some awesome nighttime skies with my kids. I studied this book on the way and look forward to consulting it in the future. The glow in the dark star chart at the back is awesome. Love all the Greek mythology explanations and how they quiz you as you go along. This was a Christmas present for my nine-year-old and he lit up when he opened it. We both love pouring over its pages.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

In sixth grade I took a standardized test. While I usually performed well on these things, one area of alarm was spatial relations. I recall my father expressing frustration. While Dad was not book-smart, he had an amazing spatial relations sense.

Ever see those diagrams that have dotted lines on them? You are supposed to be able to discern what shape will be created if you were to fold along the lines. Dad would be able to see it immediately; I struggled mightily with that.

Enter star gazing. It's the same skill. I look up. I see the stars. I do not see the shapes. I used to scold myself for being daft with this. But the more I work with this, the more I realize these shapes are purely made up.

Two stars form a dog. Really?

I could easily group stars together and see shapes. Four clustered over there represent the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. And shooting off from there are six stars that form my dog Candy.

It's nonsensical!

Yet, for Quest Scouts we are challenged to use a star guide to identify stars in the night sky. This book was recommended. It just so happens the local library had it.

I like how it lays out what to look for. There's hope that I will see some stuff. I am still confused. I think direction plays into this and the book doesn't do a great job of orienting the viewer. I think I can find: The Big Dipper, Ursa Major, Polaris, Ursa Minor, and Bootes. I think. We shall see this evening.

[Elena Melanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever Lloyd stargazing and astronomy, it, would you read this book when I tell you to read this book? Yes I would because this book is very good. Open your eye holes and see what’s going on here up in the sky and see how to find the stars step-by-step from the big dipper a little dipper to Cassiopeia another interesting constellations. This is a wonderful book for all ages I would give this more stars than the universe can offer, but I can only give it five⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What I liked about this book was that it was beautiful to read and it was wonderful to see the different constellations of how they can guard you to another constellation star. That being said, I would go read it, no matter what your ages is a fun book to read! I for one when I find rough times I always read an astronomy book

[Cathie (ClassyLibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased the hardcover copy for our collection and now am going to purchase additional copies for the schools.
It is a useful to help decipher the night sky. I like the way it lays out how to start at The Big Dipper and move from there.
I also enjoyed the practice night sky pages, I found this very helpful!

Highly recommend for anyone just getting into stargazing as well as for homeschool families and school libraries.

[Anthony Faber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book consists of 4 routes, one for each season, hopping from constellation to constellation with clever ways to find the next from the current. It points out some other stuff seen around them, and the end deals with the Moon, planets, Milky Way and meteor showers. Not much content, but it's a good beginner book for people who want to stargaze.

[Ricardo Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and interesting

I recently bought a pair of binoculars to start my stargazing journey. This book has helped me immensely in finding my way in the night sky, making it fun and intuitive. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to begin navigating the stars,with or without binoculars or telescope.

[Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Star Finder for the Northern Hemisphere would be a more accurate title.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative! Will probably need to take it with me if I ever went stargazing but it's an excellent start for someone who doesn't know anything about the night sky.

[Elena Melanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because as I grew up with a healthy diet of astronomy and stargazing. Weather your a kid or adult……please read this book. No pun but 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟