Cosmic Wonder: Halley's Comet and Humankind

A lyrical look at the history of humankind, as told through the eyes of Halley’s Comet as it passes by Earth every 76 years.

'The first time the comet visited Earth, nobody noticed. Well, almost nobody...'

This is an exciting exploration of the Earth's changes and developments – both good and bad –
from the unique perspective of an ever-returning comet, whose passing was first recorded in 240 BC. With each orbit, readers will see the changes in Earth and its creatures, paying close attention to the history of human evolution. Told with wonder and brought to life with striking illustrations by rising talent Ashley Benham-Yazdan, this books asks young readers, what will the Earth look like when the comet next returns in 2061? Time stamps and thorough back matter ground this compelling story in sound historical and scientific research. A kaleidoscope of biodiversity, locales, and peoples, Cosmic Wonder gracefully charts the highs and lows of human civilization through the eyes of a sympathetic watcher.

The book would make an ideal addition to school libraries where children with wide ranging interests and teachers with challenging new curriculums to teach will all find it indispensable. It’s perfect for home reading too for all those budding space scientists! Armadillo Magazine
At every turn of the page, Ashley Benham-Yazdani’s luminescent, mixed media illustrations show the soft-edged comet shooting across an inky wash sky and gorgeous scenes of the happenings on Earth through the ages. This is a truly thought-provoking precis of human history from an unusual perspective that makes it all the more powerful. Red Reading Hub

Ashley Benham-Yazdani is the author-illustrator of A Green Place to Be. About this book, which she worked on while pregnant with her second child, she says, “Our long-term comet visitor has seen many of the discoveries, wonders, and, sadly, numerous tragedies of humanity, including our devastating impact on the planet. In all of its visits, one thing has been unchanging: the human hope that our children’s lives would be better, safer, happier than our own.” Ashley Benham-Yazdani lives with her family in Davis, California.

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