Review: The Moon Show by Carmen Gloria

THE MOON SHOW

Kid Astronomy, Book 3

by Carmen Gloria

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

This is the very first children’s book that teaches kids about the moons to other planets in our solar system!

Take a tour of our solar system with The Moon and meet other moons on THE MOON SHOW!

Did you know that there are other moons in our solar system besides our Moon?

Perfect book for budding astronomy and space lovers!

First book in this Kid Astronomy series is in the Best New Space Books 2019 list by Books Authority!

MY TIDBITS

While our solar system's planets and the Earth's moon show up in children books, this is the first time I've run across one featuring the other moons. The Earth's moon is only one of many, and by far, not even the most interesting. This book lets these little discussed places shine.

As the title suggests, this book presents the moons in the atmosphere of a show. After making a quick and basic fact filled introduction, the Earth's moon (who likes to be called Luna) takes the role of show master. Not all moons are mentioned, but then there are 170 of them. Rather, the most well-known ones from each planet come into the spotlight. Starting with Mercury and Venus (which are moonless), each moon is shown in regards to its planet. The basic facts are given (extremely basic), which hold very interesting tidbits, in a type of exchange between Luna and the moon. It's humorous and keeps the entire thing lively.

The illustrations are fun and imaginative while still getting across the basic points. It's entertaining to watch each moon come to life with their own personality. But then, the entire thing is a lovely balance between humor and scientific fact. At the very end, there are a few quick questions concerning the material covered in the book, where listeners can see what they learned. It's a fun book and not just for those interested in planets and space.


You can discover the other books in the series and learn more about the author...
https://carmengloria.net

Review: Dear Pluto by Carmen Gloria

DEAR PLUTO

Kid Astronomy Series, #2

by Carmen Gloria

Uncommon Grammar

Picture Book

17 pages

ages 3 to 7

A great and fun book for kids to learn about Pluto and our solar system!

Pluto used to be a planet and one day it was not a planet.

This is a story of Pluto feeling rejected and sad, and how he felt like he wanted to belong to something.

He searched and searched, and eventually meets Eris, a dwarf planet, that tells him he is a part of her family, the dwarf planets.

This heartfelt picture book combines a popular science topic with themes such as belonging, searching for identity, acceptance and friendship. 

 MY TIDBITS

Pluto becomes a planet readers will want to hug in this cute tale, which includes a bit of astronomy along the way.

Pluto was a happy planet. Then one day, he received a letter which claimed he wasn't a planet. But if he wasn't a planet, Pluto didn't know what he was. None of his friends seemed to know either. Just when Pluto starts to feel lonely and unloved, he runs into a dwarf planet and things change.

Young planet fans will enjoy this cute tale, which warms the heart. It's hard not to feel sorry for Pluto as he's suddenly no longer considered a planet. As Pluto searches for its identity, the author weaves in beginning information surrounding asteroids and comets as well. The information flows seamlessly into a lovely story of friendship and finding ones place.

The illustrations are well done and fun to flip through. They especially do a great job at visually bringing across more factual information such as the line-up of the solar system. Still, there's a nice amount of fantasy built in, making it fitting for the age group.

I didn't read the first book in the series, but that wasn't a problem. These books can be read in any order.


And here she is...

Carmen Gloria was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, now a veteran, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and International Politics from George Mason University. She was born in The Bronx, New York and moved to Puerto Rico at the age of ten. She is a member of SCBWI and is a writer, artist, award-winning actress, experimental short film writer/director, and even co-wrote two songs in the Billboard Dance and UK Pop charts. After moving to Norway in 2017 with her family, she decided to focus on her writing. She launched her first children’s picture book series as an author and illustrator, in which the first book "Thank You Mercury" made the Best New Space Books 2019 list by Book Authority.