Observar las estrellas: Una guía completa de las 88 constelaciones

by Sara Gillingham

Our boundless night sky is full of stars, but did you know that it’s full of pictures and stories too? Thousands of years ago, people gazed up at the sky and saw groups of stars that looked like they could be connected to form pictures. They named these star groups after gods, animals and objects, and told stories about them that were passed down through generations. They used the stars for navigation, crop prediction and as a way to mark the seasons. This is the ultimate guide to all 88 internationally recognized constellations. It offers the fascinating stories and legends behind each star group, and helps you find them in the night sky via key star information, location descriptions and maps. Once you’ve read the stories, you’ll never look up at the night sky the same way again!

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Astronomy, Childrens, Space, Reference, Nature

216 pages, Hardcover

First published November 19, 2018

Reviews

[Mariangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book packs a lot of information on each double page, without feeling busy or crammed. For each constellation it briefly explains the myth or the reason for its name, identifies the brightest stars with their name and meaning, and helps locate it in relation to nearby constellations. It also has full seasonal sky maps for both hemispheres and a double page on asterisms. The pictures are simple and beautiful.

[Jordan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a GORGEOUSLY illustrated book that has a lot of interesting and accessible facts in it.

[Κόκκινη Αλεπού · Rating 5 out of 5]

Το βιβλίο της Σάρα Γκίλινχαμ “Κοιτάζοντας τα αστέρια: ένας πλήρης οδηγός για τους 88 αστερισμούς” είναι ένας χορταστικός, χρηστικός, εικονογραφημένος οδηγός για μικρούς και όχι τόσο μικρούς αναγνώστες που τους αρέσει να παρατηρούν τον νυχτερινό ουρανό. Πέρα από το υπέροχο εικαστικό και αισθητικό κομμάτι του βιβλίου – η Γκίλινχαμ είναι βραβευμένη graphic designer, ενώ οι εκδόσεις Phaidon αποτελούν εγγύηση για το αποτέλεσμα – υπάρχει ένας απίστευτος όγκος πληροφοριών για τους αστερισμούς που μπορεί κάποιος να παρατηρήσει. Το βιβλίο, που στα ελληνικά κυκλοφορεί από τις εκδόσεις Καπόν σε μια εξίσου καλαίσθητη έκδοση, ξεκινάει με τον πρόλογο που έκανε ο Αστροφυσικός και Επίτιμος Διευθυντής του Ευγενιδείου Πλανηταρίου, κ. Διονύσης Σιμόπουλος, ο οποίος, μεταξύ άλλων, μιλά για τη σημασία των αστερισμών αυτών στην αρχαιότητα, αλλά και μετά και τη χρησιμότητα του νυχτερινού ουρανού στους ανθρώπους.

Περισσότερα εδώ--> https://kokkinialepou.gr/koitazontas-...

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really stunning illustrations and I love that it includes both the location and the stories and myths behind the constellations. It's a great way to learn astronomy and mythology. My 6 year old loved looking through this and then running outside to find the constellations. It's so helpful that it includes the time of year and where they'll likely be seen.

[Miguel Briones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super recomendado para conocer y leer mejor nuestro maravilloso cielo; sobre todo por el hecho que te invita a alejarte de la contaminación lumínica y admirar el increíble universo que nos rodea.

[Ettelwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Po grafické stránce nádherná kniha, klidně tam mohlo být více obecných informací. Ale je to Fragment, což znamená chyby a některé věty by určitě šlo lépe poskládat.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this book is informative, I found it somewhat boring since the stories of different constellations overlap with each other and it started feeling repetitive to read the same stories just worded slightly differently for each applicable constellation. I get the feeling it might've made more sense to have an overarching "story page" describing the myth associated with multiple constellations, then pages presenting each of those constellations, instead of a dedicated "stories & myths" section on each constellation page.

I don't know much about constellations, so I was also surprised that most of them don't look anything like what they're named after. I thought the whole idea behind constellations was that a fish constellation would actually look like a fish, a bird constellation would actually look like a bird, etc... but many constellations are just straight lines or geometric shapes. It seems like they'd be more interesting if multiple simple constellations were combined to create a bigger constellation, since that would create more possibilities to draw lines between the stars and see unique shapes. I now understand a brief history behind why they were envisioned and named the way they are, but it wasn't as fascinating as I thought it would be. I know this book is very Eurocentric since it's based off of the IAU's 88 officially-designated constellations, but now I'm more interested in learning how other ancient cultures interpreted the stars (which, to the author's credit, she mentions in the resources at the end of the book). I mean, I think Lepus/the Hare looks like a snail, and Columba/the Dove looks like a clothes hanger, lmao.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations by Sara Gillingham. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Phaidon, 2018. $25. 9780714877723

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

There is a little background to the history and use of constellations, but the bulk of the book is a catalog of each constellation. Each two page spread includes a full page illustration of the constellation, a description of where the stars are located, how to find it, and a story or legend associated with the image made up by the stars.

Books don’t get much more beautiful than this one. The cover of the book is a beautiful matte finish with holes punched out for all the stars. The illustrations are all limited to three key colors, but it feels aesthetically soothing. I think this book will appeal to students interested in the night sky and would be fun to use as a school club on astronomy.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Sara Gillingham. It is a wonderful reference book for children about the eighty-eight constellations of the night sky.

The text is rather simplistic and straightforward. It tells how each of the eighty-eight constellations on how to find them and the story (or myths) behind them. The illustrations are drawn rather simplistically, but depict the narrative rather well.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It chronicles the eighty-eight recognized constellations from Andromeda, the chained Princess of ancient Ptolemy fame to Vulpecula the fox. Each constellation is named, told how, where, and when to find them, the brightest stars, and the meaning behind their name or how it got their name. A wonderful resource to children who love space.

All in all, Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations is a wonderful children reference book about the eighty-eight constellation and stargazing in general.

[Dragonfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,9 🌕

Me ha encantado el libro, y ni solo porque tenga una portada preciosa y unas ilustraciones monísimas, sino porque a pesar de ser corto, está muy completo. Esta dividido en Constelaciones Antiguas (zodíaco y mitológicas) y Constelaciones Modernas (animales y objetos). En cada una de ellas te va contando su nombre científico, desde donde se pueden ver, época y su historia. Y además está explicado de forma sencilla, así que los que estamos bastante pez en este tema, es de gran ayuda.

Si no le pongo las cinco estrellas (lunas), es porque no me hubiera importado que llevara algo más de información, pero entiendo que para este tipo de formato haya que resumir. Pero directo que va junto con mis otros tesoros literarios 😍. Desde luego le caerá alguna que otra relectura e intentaré ponerlo en práctica cada vez que tenga oportunidad de observar el cielo estrellado.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really pretty and informative book about the 88 official constellations. This is a good reference for the constellations, but it would be very confusing if a child tried to use it as a guide. There are star charts of the Northern and Southern celestial hemispheres, which are centered around the poles. This would be a great supplement to a more in-depth astronomy unit or course for kids. I love all the history, myths, and legends packed in Gillingham’s book. She also includes many resources for further exploration of the topics, including constellations in non-European cultures. I’ll probably end up buying this book.

[Angela Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for children and adults alike. Really enjoyed this book as a starter reference to help get my bearings when starting gazing. The book is well organized, well written, and offers multiple layers of information to let you focus on what you are most interested in. I like that it covers history, myth and current information. An easy to use glossary lets you find and cross reference stars, constellations and other terms. I love the reference maps at the back also. I went from knowing and being able to identify a single constellation to feeling an exhilarating familiarity with the visible sky after spending a week studying the book.

[Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. It really helps with learning the constellations. Easy to read and understand, great pictures and explanations. The stories help keep the memory of the constellations, and sometimes where to find them, easier to remember. I like that they not only tell you what they are, but where and when to find them. The maps and connections between them and the commonly known sets are great for finding them. Great for the whole family and any age. This would be a great book to start with and go star-gazing. Enjoy!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compré este libro hace años porque me enamoré de las ilustraciones y el contenido del cielo.
En esa época no sabía mucho de las estrellas pero quería aprender más.

Considerando que el enfoque principal es para niños, es un libro bastante completo.
Hubiera amado que las estrellas tuvieran nombre y que se mencionaran algunos de los nombres de las personas en las historias para que no quedara bago con un “el Rey” pero me encantó.

Sin duda lo voy a seguir consultando en el futuro.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an advanced picture book of over 200 pages, and such a wonderful read. It's page after page of constellation information, where each is located in the northern or southern hemisphere sky map, the story or myth and illustration that goes with each. Great for the star gazer or aspiring astronomer.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that my 8 year old can't get enough of! Not only do you learn to identify constellations in the sky, but you also learn about the legends and myths behind the groups of stars! EXCELLENT illustrations and beautiful book all around!

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is pretty, without a doubt. But it's so boring. I just can't imagine a kid staying interested in this book. I made it through 25 constellations and filled with dread thinking about the remaining 63.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't really claim to have "read" this book, but certainly at least assessed. This is a book I wish I had when I was home educating my daughter. It is still I book I wish to have on my bookshelf.

[Tompkins County Public Library Youth Services]

The official summary does a paltry job of describing this book. For those who like gazing at the stars and thinking boundless thoughts about the cosmos, history, stories, life and all of those who have gone before you who did that very same thing, this is a magnificent book.

[Lisa]

This book was gorgeous. It was a pleasure to turn the pages. And yet I still don't really understand all of the different classification systems of the constellations and was left confused on the topic.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually very enlightening, and kept my toddler's attention, with the images and very brief histories. There is a big list of additional resources at the back of the book for more information about stars and mythology as well, to further encourage learning.

[E. K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning book with beautiful illustrations, and delightful easy to read snippets of information about the constellations. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn a bit more about the names of the stars in the night sky and the stories behind them. A perfect gift.

[Ander Mombiela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantan este tipo de libros para aprender más y poder emplear datos e información en mis historias. No conocía ni la mitad de las constelaciones que aparecen en él: antiguas, modernas, relacionadas con los mitos, con los descubrimientos científicos... ¡incluso hay una de un tucán!

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO FASCINATING. If you love to learn about the night sky, read this. Really easy to follow too.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide for kids curious about the night sky.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

For specific audiences and interests, this appears to be a particularly valuable treasure. It might also be the trigger to launch careers, if shared with curious minds.

[Zuzana Malá · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graficka stranka ❤️

[Sarah Colwill · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Seeing Stars' gives the location, stories and myths and how to find it for 88 constellations. It is detailed, easily understood and has interesting illustrations.

[Marika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Courtney Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it