Although the recently released Ontario Science and Technology curriculum mandates the study of the solar system in Grade 6, fascination with the topic begins much earlier. Planets are to space what dinosaurs are to time – extraordinary, vast and thrillingly close to the great concept of infinity. The popularity of the topic has brought many books on the solar system to market. Is another publication on the planets just an updated version of facts intended to satisfy the curiosity of our younger generation, or can it bring another, richer dimension to a child’s understanding of space?

The Planets is fourth in the Starting with Space series, which already includes The Moon, The Sun, and The Earth. It is a logical addition to the group, and there are no logical lapses in its design or layout either. Young people will appreciate the question-and-answer format, which draws the reader into the particulars of each planet. Teachers will appreciate the clearly worded facts, concise comparison chart, and thoughtfully organized table of contents, glossary, and index.

Some of the book’s unique features also combine entertainment and education. Bill Slavin’s animated illustrations sit comfortably beside NASA photos. Pages of pictures and information on each of the planets are occasionally punctuated by a Try It! section. Instructors discouraged by the gloop of papier mâché models may be heartened to know that there are other ways to bring the magnitude of the solar system to a human scale. For example, the book suggests using fruits and vegetables to represent planets: imagine Jupiter as a watermelon and Mars as a raspberry and you’ll get the picture. Students will too. While true to scientific fact, The Planets contains another Try It! page that extends science into fiction. Postcards for the planets test the reader’s solar system savvy, but this activity could easily be extended into an enriching writing challenge.

Although planets are not stars, this book about planets has a stellar quality that both browsers and young researchers will surely recognize.