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Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space
Young space and science enthusiasts will be captivated by this exciting exploration of the Big Bang and the origins of the universe.
Once upon a star, there were no stars to shine, no sun to rise, no day, no night. Until . . . a mighty BOOM!
The Big Bang, the formation of the planets, and the origins of life on Earth are made accessible and fascinating in a poetic, jazzy, free-flowing exploration of space, the solar system, and how we all got here. With its rhythmic, and engaging style, this book is a unique and captivating approach to science and STEM topics that will have kids asking to read it again and again--while learning lessons and concepts that really stick.
Parents and teachers will love it too (and will likely learn something!) as their young ones read about our solar system's origins in an inviting, fresh, yet factual format. With art that calls to mind the era of the space race, the book is everything you need: hip, fun, engaging nonfiction for today's young scientists.
Once upon a star, there were no stars to shine, no sun to rise, no day, no night. Until . . . a mighty BOOM!
The Big Bang, the formation of the planets, and the origins of life on Earth are made accessible and fascinating in a poetic, jazzy, free-flowing exploration of space, the solar system, and how we all got here. With its rhythmic, and engaging style, this book is a unique and captivating approach to science and STEM topics that will have kids asking to read it again and again--while learning lessons and concepts that really stick.
Parents and teachers will love it too (and will likely learn something!) as their young ones read about our solar system's origins in an inviting, fresh, yet factual format. With art that calls to mind the era of the space race, the book is everything you need: hip, fun, engaging nonfiction for today's young scientists.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published November 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 13, 2019
Truth be told that while for the most part, James Carter's featured poetry certainly does work very well indeed for introducing outer space and some very basic astronomy to young children (and that yes, Mar Hernández's accompanying artwork most definitely and delightfully provides a brightly colourful, fun and very much "explosive” with a bit of a visual pun in fact intended engaging aesthetic mirror to and for Carter's verses), there are unfortunately and nevertheless also more than a few of what I personally would label as lyrical wobbles located in Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space, verbal instances where especially Carter's rhyming scheme seems to feel awkward and sometimes even tends to disappear altogether and become blank verse.
And while this would not really be a problem in any way if the entire text of Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space were penned in blank verse, without rhyme, I certainly do not think that having the blank verse parts embedded within traditional rhyming poetry works all that well here, that this is just not all that successful in Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space . For yes, the latter (the inserted blank verse parts), they have most definitely distracted me rather a bit and made James Carter's otherwise delightful star and space based poetry feel more than somewhat awkward and choppy at times (and this could certainly be a potential reading-aloud issue, as the embedded non rhyming interludes do in my opinion create the potential for parents, librarians, teachers etc. of losing their sense of rhythm whilst reading Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space with or to a child or group of children). Three stars (and indeed, while I do recommend Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space , the fact that James Carter's poetry does sometimes feel awkward and not really sure if it is meant to be blank or traditional rhyming verses does make me a bit textually sour and frustratingly disappointed).
And while this would not really be a problem in any way if the entire text of Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space were penned in blank verse, without rhyme, I certainly do not think that having the blank verse parts embedded within traditional rhyming poetry works all that well here, that this is just not all that successful in Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space . For yes, the latter (the inserted blank verse parts), they have most definitely distracted me rather a bit and made James Carter's otherwise delightful star and space based poetry feel more than somewhat awkward and choppy at times (and this could certainly be a potential reading-aloud issue, as the embedded non rhyming interludes do in my opinion create the potential for parents, librarians, teachers etc. of losing their sense of rhythm whilst reading Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space with or to a child or group of children). Three stars (and indeed, while I do recommend Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space , the fact that James Carter's poetry does sometimes feel awkward and not really sure if it is meant to be blank or traditional rhyming verses does make me a bit textually sour and frustratingly disappointed).
September 12, 2021
Such a beautiful, artistic depiction of the big bang. As an agnostic/athiest who grew up in the church, this book was like a balm for my mind and heart. The wonder and majesty of the universe as told through this book is what I want the next generation to grow up reading.
January 2, 2023
I thought this was a lovely and informative read
November 15, 2018
Handsome, color-drenched illustrations fill the pages of this book, a primer on how the universe began. Readers start by looking up into the heavens at the stars and then the sun, and then the book describes the big bang and the aftermath. The text is poetic and the images eye-catching, and readers will be enthralled at what they see unfolding before them as life begins. My favorite pages are the double-page spread in which life is described by how various lifeforms moved. Of course, the big take-away from the book is that we are all formed of stardust so we are all stars, a positive message needed by some readers and one that will assure others that they, too, have a special place under the sun and in this universe. I wish there had been some back matter or a timeline so that readers would have a better sense of just how long all this took, but I still found myself compelled to look at the striking illustrations for quite a long time and wondering about how all this unfolded to make a place inhabitable for you and me and how quickly we seem intent on destroying it.
January 26, 2019
I am so thrilled that this beautiful book exists! A year ago, I went looking for books that explained the Big Bang and the origins of life in a way that my kids could understand, but found nothing that would work. I wanted something science-based to pose and begin to answer the Big Questions. And now here it is!
The illustrations are simply gorgeous. It's plenty colorful, but the palette is restrained to mostly darker hues that are easy to look at. Bold shapes and defined silhouettes provide access for kids who need more visual structure. The typography is bold, sharp and uses size to communicate the pacing and energy of the text. The poetry's form provides a foundation for a child to navigate these big ideas. Not a book my son Luke can follow yet, but his twin Harry is fascinated by it.
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I review children's books from the perspective of a parent of two kids with autism. This review is part of a list of 20 recommended picture books with space themes for autistic kids, which can be found on my blog: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/20-pic...
The illustrations are simply gorgeous. It's plenty colorful, but the palette is restrained to mostly darker hues that are easy to look at. Bold shapes and defined silhouettes provide access for kids who need more visual structure. The typography is bold, sharp and uses size to communicate the pacing and energy of the text. The poetry's form provides a foundation for a child to navigate these big ideas. Not a book my son Luke can follow yet, but his twin Harry is fascinated by it.
---
I review children's books from the perspective of a parent of two kids with autism. This review is part of a list of 20 recommended picture books with space themes for autistic kids, which can be found on my blog: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/20-pic...
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June 16, 2020Young space and science enthusiasts will be captivated by this exciting exploration of the Big Bang and the origins of the universe.
Once upon a star, there were no stars to shine, no sun to rise, no day, no night. Until . . . a mighty BOOM!
The Big Bang, the formation of the planets, and the origins of life on Earth are made accessible and fascinating in a poetic, jazzy, free-flowing exploration of space, the solar system, and how we all got here. With its rhythmic, and engaging style, this book is a unique and captivating approach to science and STEM topics that will have kids asking to read it again and again--while learning lessons and concepts that really stick.
Parents and teachers will love it too (and will likely learn something!) as their young ones read about our solar system's origins in an inviting , fresh, yet factual format. With art that calls to mind the era of the space race, the book is everything you need: hip, fun, engaging nonfiction for today's young scientists.
Subject: Big Bang Theory -- Juvenile literature.
Cosmology -- Juvenile poetry.
Cosmology -- Juvenile literature.
Geographic Term: Universe -- Juvenile poetry.
Universe -- Juvenile literature.
Once upon a star, there were no stars to shine, no sun to rise, no day, no night. Until . . . a mighty BOOM!
The Big Bang, the formation of the planets, and the origins of life on Earth are made accessible and fascinating in a poetic, jazzy, free-flowing exploration of space, the solar system, and how we all got here. With its rhythmic, and engaging style, this book is a unique and captivating approach to science and STEM topics that will have kids asking to read it again and again--while learning lessons and concepts that really stick.
Parents and teachers will love it too (and will likely learn something!) as their young ones read about our solar system's origins in an inviting , fresh, yet factual format. With art that calls to mind the era of the space race, the book is everything you need: hip, fun, engaging nonfiction for today's young scientists.
Subject: Big Bang Theory -- Juvenile literature.
Cosmology -- Juvenile poetry.
Cosmology -- Juvenile literature.
Geographic Term: Universe -- Juvenile poetry.
Universe -- Juvenile literature.
February 1, 2019
Once Upon a Star by James Carter, illustrated by Mar Hernandez. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Doubleday, 2018. $18. 9780525579335
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The subtitle of this book is, “A Poetic Journey Through Space.” With rhythm and rhyme, the book covers the creation of the sun through a big bang and the slow evolution of matter. It covers evolution of the stars and evolution on earth.
I liked the poetic cadence of the book, but I was a little confused by the content. The book starts off talking about stars and then jumps to the absence of stars and then the evolution of stars and finally the evolution on earth. I am a bit unclear what the connections from page to page are. The book has a textured feel that is fun to hold and the illustrations are minimalistic but aesthetically pleasing.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The subtitle of this book is, “A Poetic Journey Through Space.” With rhythm and rhyme, the book covers the creation of the sun through a big bang and the slow evolution of matter. It covers evolution of the stars and evolution on earth.
I liked the poetic cadence of the book, but I was a little confused by the content. The book starts off talking about stars and then jumps to the absence of stars and then the evolution of stars and finally the evolution on earth. I am a bit unclear what the connections from page to page are. The book has a textured feel that is fun to hold and the illustrations are minimalistic but aesthetically pleasing.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
May 12, 2021
This book has me conflicted. Some positives I noticed while reading that I liked are:
It tells of chronological scientific facts.
The positioning of the text in this book was quite engaging as I often found myself turning the book at different angles.
And my negativities:
I found it quite hard to read despite the fact that it is a poetic book. The fact that some lines in the poem rhyme while others don't make even a simple poem like this difficult to understand.
I also do not personally share in the belief of the overall theme of this book- that we are made of stardust. So, for me, it was eh. However, I am sure other readers would find a better liking to this one. I know it is hard to differentiate between science and religion, but this one fell too much on the opposing side. 2 stars from me.
(I don't remember where I've seen pages of this book before, but I have seen them. I recognized them right away but can't put a finger on it. Maybe from my literature class?)
It tells of chronological scientific facts.
The positioning of the text in this book was quite engaging as I often found myself turning the book at different angles.
And my negativities:
I found it quite hard to read despite the fact that it is a poetic book. The fact that some lines in the poem rhyme while others don't make even a simple poem like this difficult to understand.
I also do not personally share in the belief of the overall theme of this book- that we are made of stardust. So, for me, it was eh. However, I am sure other readers would find a better liking to this one. I know it is hard to differentiate between science and religion, but this one fell too much on the opposing side. 2 stars from me.
(I don't remember where I've seen pages of this book before, but I have seen them. I recognized them right away but can't put a finger on it. Maybe from my literature class?)
May 12, 2022
James Carter uses poetry to show readers the basics of space and astronomy. As we flip through each page, we explore the galaxy together. While I found the poems to be a bit rocky at times, I thought that overall the author did a great job of giving young readers a brief introduction to topics like stars, planets, and the big bang theory. Carter's words are reflected beautifully by the illustrations on each page. The colors are bold and deep, and it makes the reader feel as though they have truly been transported through the cosmos. I think that the style of this book is so unique. The cross between poetry and fun science facts is one that I do not see often, so I appreciate the risk that the author took in creating something like this. All in all, this book is a fun read and a good resource for teachers and parents looking to teach their children about how the universe came to be!
February 25, 2019
“As the kid is lifted off the world, the day goes quiet, dark and cold”... this is how this beautiful book starts. It then explains through poetry how the world came to be, and how we are “Star stuff”. The poetry is nice, and the illustrations bring everything together. If teachers are doing a unit on the Big Bang, or the Solar System, this book would be great. It does not answer the question about “star stuff”... which could lead students on a different journey, learning about stellar nucleosynthesis, and how all the elements of life possibly came from that explosion. It is always nice to find great books like this to compliment science classrooms.
December 9, 2023
James Carter's "Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Journey Through Space" is a fascinating and educational journey. The book takes young readers on an imaginative journey through the mysteries of the the universe, diving gleefully and poetically into the secrets of stars, planets, and galaxies. Young learners are drawn in by the author's compelling language and beautiful images, which makes learning about space exciting and informational. This book is a great start to space exploration because of its simple language and appealing graphics. For young readers who are just starting to improve their reading skills, the poetry's rhythmic flow makes for a satisfying reading session. The rhythmic flow makes it easier for students to comprehend and decode. "Once Upon a Star" sparks children's interest in reading in addition to igniting curiosity in the Solar System. All things considered, James Carter's book is a fantastic addition to any home library or classroom.
December 8, 2023
This book had a lovely poetic rhythm to it that would definitely hook students into it while reading. The illustrations were colorful and enticing. They filled the entire page with creative drawings of life and helped tell the story well. I just thought it is a bit much to read to students one possible way that the world could have started. I did, however, enjoy that they added an acrostic poem at the end.
September 4, 2020
Great book relating to science topics too. It explains the transition from day to night through poetry, making it fun and engaging. The book takes you through the stars which you look up at, the sun and then describing the Big Bang and the aftermath.
This book includes a bright, colourful and fun using expressive illustrations which makes it a whole lot engaging and relateable.
This book includes a bright, colourful and fun using expressive illustrations which makes it a whole lot engaging and relateable.
April 30, 2023
This book was a good example of a non-fiction book. It is in the genre non-fiction because it explains a star and how it is formed. It explains how according to science our world was created. Not only does it explain the creation of our world, it explains the whole universe. This book is in the genre non-fiction because it explains facts.
December 8, 2024
A beautiful introduction to poetry for young readers, this book includes various poems which take readers through various parts of space. The illustrations are very cute and simple, assisting the cute poems which accompany them. The poems have easy to follow rhymes, but are perfectly crafted. Great book!
November 16, 2018
Using a poetic narrative, Carter reveals information about the creation of the universe. A good catalyst for starting inquiry into these astronomical ideas and insights. Very accessible presentation of information for younger readers.
January 13, 2019
This is a difficult science topic to convey, but I think this books handles it very well. Space is fascinating to me. The origins of the universe is all theory, but I love the poetic way it is described in Once Upon a Star.
September 6, 2019
A fun little illustrated poem about how our world began!
This poem would be a great discussion point for talking about the stars, sun, and out universe with children, using science and art together.
This poem would be a great discussion point for talking about the stars, sun, and out universe with children, using science and art together.
August 18, 2018
Beautifully-illustrated and fun introduction to the beginning of our universe and the stars we live among, all told in poetry.
December 15, 2018
The book is about our sun and solar system, but in a very muted, simple telling.
December 25, 2018
A handsomely illustrated, poetic exploration of the Big Bang and the origins of the universe. Exciting and informative.
December 30, 2018
What? I don't think this book qualifies as "science." Nice pictures, though.
January 17, 2019
This book was ok. Big Bang theory of how the sun began for young readers. The poetry would be challenging for young readers although the illustrations and font helped elevate the book.
January 22, 2019
This was a cute poem book about the solar system :)
January 28, 2019
This was beautiful! The verse is lovely and the illustrations are stunning!
January 30, 2019
Very similar to Marion Dane Bauer's The Stuff of Stars, which just won a Coretta Scott King award. I really liked some of the illustrations, but it was a bit too sing-songy to me.
February 26, 2019
The origins of the universe is told in simple rhyme with the message that we are all made of stars.
October 30, 2019
Students LOVED this book. Very crafty, and it lent itself to a lot of side conversations and student engagement. I would definitely buy this book for my class.
January 8, 2020
Looks at how the world was created from a science point a view. Has simple working so children can follow the reading and understand
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2020
Great for storytime! Teaches the Big Bang, Evolution, and our solar system. Beautiful artwork. Includes some science notes at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews