Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos

Gr 1-3--Told in narrative format, this beautifully designed and illustrated picture book gives readers a glimpse into the childhood wonderings Sagan experienced as he looked at the night sky and imagined the possibilities. The images are wonderfully childlike, many appearing to be chalk on a dark, night sky background. The simple but lyrical text ("Carl thought about the stars hanging down like bulbs on long black wires") conveys a dreamy, wistful quality, and the comic book-style panels and speech bubbles will keep kids intrigued as Sisson takes Sagan from an inquisitive boy to a scientist working in the field of astronomy. One particularly magnificent page should elicit gasps of awe from readers. It folds out to create a marvelous expanse that extends from a library room, where young Sagan is poring over a book about the solar system, up though the city landscape and ever upward toward the sun. Children will easily relate to and may even see themselves in Sagan's youthful exuberance. Detailed notes illustrate the solid research and facts behind the narrative. A gorgeous, informative offering for biography and science collections.--Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

Sisson's loosely sketched mixed-media illustrations trace the life of Carl Sagan, beginning with his childhood spent in Brooklyn, an environment seemingly ill-suited to learning about the stars. Yet thanks to his natural curiosity, a visit to the World's Fair, and the library, Sagan's awareness of science and the universe grew. The book does, too--a spread depicting the hazy sun over Brooklyn rooftops unfolds to show it in space ("Our sun is a big ball of fiery gas held together by gravity," Sagan learns). Sisson goes on to recap Sagan's later endeavors, including becoming an astrophysicist, appearing on TV, and sending messages into via the twin Voyagers. A broader message about the role wonder plays in innovation resonates throughout this story, which concludes with extensive biographical and source notes. Ages 4-8. Agent: Abigail Samoun, Red Fox Literary. (Oct.)

"*Beginning with the first page, Sisson introduces the magnitude of the universe, visually presenting the Milky Way and our sun's place in it." —The Horn Book, STARRED REVIEW

"Carl Sagan is best known for being a renowned expert on the cosmos, but he started out as just a curious kid fascinated with the night sky, and that's where Sisson starts this picture-book biography." —Booklist

"*Sisson's economical narrative and lighthearted illustrations convey Sagan's regard for the power of imagination and his generous approach to knowledge . . . Both friendly and inspiring." —KIRKUS, STARRED REVIEW

"*Told in narrative format, this beautifully designed and illustrated picture book gives readers a glimpse into the childhood wonderings Sagan experienced as he looked at the night sky and imagined possibilities . . . A gorgeous, informative offering for biography and science collections." —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"*A broader message about the role wonder plays in innovation resonates throughout this story." —Publishers Weekly