Editorial Review

Books on the planets have been around for decades, but they are always in demand, both for school projects and for general interest. Part of the Space Neighbors series, which focuses on the planets, the dwarf planets, and the sun, this slim book is colorful, eye-catching, and well assembled. On each two-page spread, simple text on the left complements pictures and drawings featured on the right. Owens effectively uses imagery (for example, comparing the circumference of Venus to nearly ‘50 million baseball bats placed end to end’) to engage the reader. Topics include the planet’s rotation; its rocky surface, littered with craters; and how scientists have gathered information about the planet. Important terms are noted in bold and are defined in the book’s glossary. An index ensures that the information is easily accessible, while a brief list of additional resources (both print and online) makes further research a natural step. The author’s conversational tone will draw in even reluctant readers to learn more about our neighbor planet.