Through the night sky by Anita Ganeri

Illus. by Charlotte Pepper. Dorling Kindersley, 2020. ISBN: 9780241355459.
(Age: 8+). Highly recommended. Through The Night Sky is a stunningly presented non-fiction book which captures many and varied aspects of what happens in the night sky. It is described as "A collection of amazing adventures under the stars." The striking contents page is presented in a whimsical horizontal format across a double page. The headings are:
1. Night flight
2. Lighting the dark
3. Seeing with stars
4. A night of flowers
5. Heavenly lights
6. The moon
7. Into darkness
8. Happy New Year
9. Signs in the stars
10. A journey to Earth
11. A visitor from above
12. Eyes to the sky
13. Our base in space
14. Seeing the Solar System
Each topic has a double page spread with simple yet informative text and further explanations and labels when required. The book contains a wide range of topics including historical information and relevant and recent facts about space, technology and nature. For example there is information on comets, the planets in our solar system, meteor showers, eclipses, the moon, flowers at night and nocturnal animals. The identification of the more noticeable constellations in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are beautifully illustrated and will appeal to those young budding astronomers. There is a detailed index for a quick search of topics.
The illustrations by Charlotte Pepper seamlessly complement the text and are quite exquisite. Photographic images add to the enjoyment of the book.
Through The Night Sky is perfect for sharing in the classroom or at home or browsing by an individual both young and old. It would make a very special gift. Themes: Nocturnal Animals, Planets, Moon, Stars, Time.
Kathryn Beilby