The Planets

This book fosters development of some of the basic processes: such as observing and classifying.

• Author: Gail Gibbons
• Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
• Year Published: 1993
• ISBN: 0823410404

Science Topics

• Space Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 4th Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 6th Grade

Summary

This book includes the basic information on the characteristics of the nine planets (at the time the book was published). Readers will also learn about how planets are different from stars and how they orbit and rotate. This is the non-revised edition of this book.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: Medium
• Authority: High
• Accuracy: Medium
• Liteary Artistry: Medium
• Appearance: Medium

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book fosters development of some of the basic processes: such as observing and classifying.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

This book explicitly states a lot of scientific information about planets and children should have some opportunities of asking planet-based questions and answering them as they read.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

With the clearly stated scientific information, there aren’t a lot of ways that this book encourages the child to think for themselves.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

This book would be appropriate for a lesson if the student’s were reading through the book to confirm their ideas and results they have after an investigation and/or discussion.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The book includes a major error by stating that pluto is a planet and it talks about the attributes that consider Pluto a planet. At the time this book was published, Pluto was still considered a planet, but now it includes non-factual information.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The storyline of the book is considered to be all “factual” and doesn’t include any fiction aspects.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are simple and clearly marked with helpful information. They would accomplish the goal of efficiently stating explicit facts to its readers.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

This book would definitely be of use in upper elementary science programs, such as 4th or 5th grade. The reason for this grade level is the more challenging planet concepts and the amount of information present.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

This book doesn’t depict any multicultural aspects. All the family member characters that are present throughout the story have white-colored skin and they depict the “typical” family structure. There does not seem to be a whole lot of diversity within this book.

Is the book free from gender bias?

The book does not seem to hold any gender bias. The family characters present within the book consists of what I can assume is two males (dad and son) and two females (mom and daughter).

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The book includes emphasis on technology through the use of a telescope and mentioning some of the spacecrafts that exist in outer space.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

Throughout this book, a positive attitude surrounds the learning about planets. The book isn’t as engaging as it could be, but it definitely does not hold any sort of negative attitude.