Out of This World

This companion to Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up soars into space with a perfect fusion of poetry and science, accompanied by breathtaking illustrations.

one minuscule speck
grows into the universe
a mind-boggling birth

This stunning meeting of poetic form and luminous artwork transports us out of the bounds of Earth, past a lunar eclipse, beyond the orbiting planets, and into glowing galaxies and twinkling constellations. Sally M. Walker uses her award-winning skill as a writer of nonfiction to explore space through clever haiku, accompanied by narrative explanations of wonders that are out of this world. Illustrator Matthew Trueman imagines the explosive Big Bang and awe-inspiring meteor showers in spectacular views that no telescope could offer. Comprehensive, well-researched back matter further explores such topics as constellations and astronomers, the birth of the universe, stars, the solar system, moons and eclipses, asteroids, meteors, and comets, as well as a glossary of terms, a bibliography, and online resources for readers with an eye to what lies beyond Earth.

“This collection of haiku about outer space combines cleverly descriptive words with rich illustrations for an artistic and scientific look beyond our world. . . . The perspective of Trueman's illustrations will make readers feel as if they are floating in the middle of the galaxy. . . creative, beautiful, and educational. --School Library Journal Walker's intriguing, succinct haiku are accompanied by Trueman's stunning illustrations of celestial entities as they take the reader on a tour of the stars, planets, solar systems, and the natural beauty of outer space. . . . Whatever your favorite celestial body is, you're bound to delight in Trueman's vision of the comets, asteroids, planets, and universes, accompanied by Walker's thoughtful language and penchant for capturing humans' natural curiosity about outer space. --Booklist”

The text blends scientific theory with a sense of awe. . . Walker’s spare and eloquent phrases are paired with Trueman’s (If You Take Away the Otter, rev. 5/20) spectacular mixed-media illustrations, completely filling each page with swirls, dots, colors, and darkness. . . . The blend of artistry and accurate, up-to date scientific information (including an appended glossary, further reading section, and online resources) makes this collection a must-have.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

This collection of haiku about outer space combines cleverly descriptive words with rich illustrations for an artistic and scientific look beyond our world. . . . The perspective of Trueman’s illustrations will make readers feel as if they are floating in the middle of the galaxy. . . creative, beautiful, and educational.
—School Library Journal

Walker’s intriguing, succinct haiku are accompanied by Trueman's stunning illustrations of celestial entities as they take the reader on a tour of the stars, planets, solar systems, and the natural beauty of outer space. . . . Whatever your favorite celestial body is, you’re bound to delight in Trueman’s vision of the comets, asteroids, planets, and universes, accompanied by Walker's thoughtful language and penchant for capturing humans' natural curiosity about outer space.
—Booklist

Trueman’s sweeping illustrations, many spanning two pages, emphasize the immensity of space. Swirling backgrounds layered with details—some realistic, some fanciful—invite readers to linger and wonder. . . An awe-inspiring intro to an immense subject of endless curiosity and imagination.
—Kirkus Reviews

Sally M. Walker is the award-winning author of more than sixty books for children, including the companion book Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up, illustrated by William Grill. She is also the author of Sinking the Sultana: A Civil War Story of Imprisonment, Greed, and a Doomed Journey Home and Champion: The Comeback Tale of the American Chestnut Tree, an Orbis Pictus Honor Book. She says that researching and writing Boundaries: How the Mason-Dixon Line Settled a Family Feud and Divided a Nation led her to the amazing world of stars and outer space. Sally M. Walker lives in Illinois.

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