Eclipse Day!

It’s a big day in Nashville – many folks are traveling here to watch the full solar eclipse! In honor of this incredible event, I thought I’d share some books about eclipses (the descriptions below are the publishers’ statements found on Amazon.com or the publishers’ websites):

THE BIG ECLIPSE by acclaimed children’s illustrator and author, Nancy Coffelt, captures the sense of wonder and excitement of a total solar eclipse through its cast of animal characters as they follow the path of the 2017 eclipse across America. Readers of The Big Eclipse will learn all about eclipses – how and why they happen, strange eclipse effects, eclipse myths and even what hippos do when day turns to night!

The book tells why it’s important to protect your eyes when viewing the sun, especially during an eclipse – and how to safely watch the upcoming eclipse. Each book includes instructions on making a simple solar projector and comes with a safe solar eclipse viewer.

Join Penny as she travels to St. Joseph, Missouri to witness the total eclipse of the sun with her new friends Aunt Mellie B and Sarah the parakeet from the French Riviera.

Excitement is building for the Great American Eclipse on August 21, 2017. This book for kids ages 9-12 answers their questions about eclipses. Included are not only how solar and lunar eclipses happen and how to safely view a solar eclipse, but also 
• How often do eclipses happen? 
• What happens to animals during a solar eclipse? 
• Do other planets have eclipses? 
• What does a lunar eclipse look like from the moon? 
Top Ten Facts About Eclipses answers these questions and more. Young astronomers reading this book will know facts about eclipses and what to expect when viewing the Great American Eclipse.

Everybody gets thrilled when hearing about an eclipse happening. It gets broadcasted in the news and people actually look up at the sky, waiting. But for children to better appreciate what an eclipse is, proper introduction needs to be in place first. The purpose of this book is to give your child the introduction that he/she can understand.

Follow along with Eddie, a budding young scientist, as he navigates the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse. Eddie uses his curiosity and imagination to become an “expert” in eclipses so that he can thoroughly take in this spectacular scientific event. His energy and enthusiasm for all things science help him to engage with his family and friends while experiencing this great science adventure. The book details solar eclipse facts and encourages safety for children while observing the solar eclipse.

Cowee Sam returns as the Great Pyrenees guardian dog of Cowee Mountain Valley Farm. Meet some of the other working dogs in the neighborhood and join Farmer Joe and his family as they get ready to host their own solar eclipse party. Learn about some of the science behind this exciting event. Mark your calendar for August 21, 2017, 2:36 PM Franklin, North Carolina, is in the path of totality!

Get ready for the Great American Eclipse of 2017 with this charming and straight-forward story about how eclipses of the Sun and Moon occur. Includes activities using ordinary items to make models, and explores common questions. 

This illustrated book is a fun way to get young astronomers ready for August 2017, when millions of North Americans will have the rare chance to witness a solar eclipse. The book tells how two curious children and their grandparents re-create eclipses in their living room using a lamp, a tennis ball, two Hula Hoops, and Ping-Pong balls. Later, in the backyard and around the house, the family explores safe ways to view a solar eclipse and ponders phenomena from sunspots to phases of the Moon. Written by the authors of NSTA’s award-winning book Solar Science, When the Sun Goes Dark gives children and adults hands-on techniques for learning the science behind eclipses of the Sun and Moon.

WHY IS THERE NIGHT DURING THE DAY?

For thousands of years, our ancestors created myths and legends to explain the puzzle of solar eclipses. The poems in this book bring the ancient beliefs of many different cultures to life. Designed for children, parents, and educators, this delightful book includes a puppet show script, with instructions for easy to create puppets, stage directions and other helpful hints for creating a fabulously fun show, while answering the question, “Where Did the Sun Go?”

When a solar eclipse frightens an entire village, a young Guatemalan girl named Maria searches for answers. The ensuing story goes great lengths in teaching children about bravery and the importance of nature. Join Maria as she races across the landscape of her mountain community and faces her fears head-on. This Tz’utujil Mayan folktale, suitable for children, originates from the lakeside village of San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala.

The Day the Sun Went Out is a beautifully illustrated children’s science storybook. The story begins with Alexander and his parents hiking in the mountains one Saturday morning. After awhile on the hike they notice an unusual occurrence in the daylight. The day grows dark and Alexander begins to wonder why. Learn about important astronomers like Johannes Kepler, and hot facts of solar and planetary motion alongside Alexander, his mom and his cousin Max. Join them as they explore the sun and the Kepler Mission. Challenge your youngsters to wonder with Alexander as his questions how life on Earth is in a careful balance with our sun. Ponder how our lives are woven into the enormous cosmos in which we all live. See what Alexander discovers about the natural world around himself. At the same time make your own discoveries about how you feel about the sun’s importance in the meaning of life.

HAPPY ECLIPSE DAY READING!

Have you read any great books lately?