The sun and the planets by Patricia Geis

With pop-ups, pull-outs, sliders, foldouts and detailed factual information The Sun and the Planets will provide hours of enjoyment for middle primary to early secondary school-aged children. Those readers who are fascinated by space will be intrigued by the interactive aspect of this book that will provide an important tool for further enhancing the understanding of our solar system.

The book begins with some interesting space-related questions and then takes the reader, who is dressed in a spacesuit, on a journey in a make- believe spaceship heading through various atmospheres into outer space. This is followed by a discussion about the Earth. There is information about the ISS (International Space Station) and then comprehensive facts about the sun, leading into day and night, the moon, stars, galaxies and the universe. Each topic that is introduced and discussed is accompanied by well-constructed interactive diagrams that, at times, may require an older person to manipulate and explain how it works. 

The background colours used are predominantly black with white writing which adds a dramatic flair. Other bold colours are used throughout to highlight various images of the solar system. The pages discussing astronomy are particularly engaging. The information presented is both relevant and detailed with short interesting facts shared over various pages.

Themes: Space, Sun, Stars, Solar System, Galaxy, Universe.

Kathryn Beilby