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High above Earth, glowing bands of color dance, shimmer, and soar across the night sky. Whether you know them as the northern or southern lights, auroras are one of nature’s most dazzling spectacles. It’s hard not to marvel—why do they exist? Joan Marie Galat explores the answer in this addition to the Dot to Dot in the Sky series, revealing the incredible cosmic circumstances that lead to such brilliant displays of light.
Find out what happens when solar winds strike the Earth’s atmosphere and electrical and magnetic forces react together. Then go back in time to discover how ancient cultures explained the mysterious lights. Meet a Norse frost giant that refuses to marry, a chief who follows his son across the Milky Way, and a seven-headed monster yet to lose a fight. From celestial fires to dancing spirits, auroras have taken many meanings over time. These rich tales, with stunning illustrations and full-colour photographs, are the perfect way to discover this spectacular phenomenon for yourself.
- Ages 9-13
- Winner, Crystal Kite Award – Canada, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), 2017
- Skipping Stones Award, 2017
- Second Place, Outdoor Writers of Canada Award, 2017
- Honorable Mention, Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award, 2017
- Shortlisted, Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award in Atlantic Canada (2017/18)
- Shortlisted, Red Cedar Children’s Choice Book Award, British Columbia (2017/18)
“[From back cover]
There are two ways to look at the Northern Lights; scientifically, as a stream of energetic particles shot out from the sun colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere, or mythologically, as a wondrous dance of spirits in the sky. Joan Marie Galat provides both in this delightful blend of science and stories from around the world, that capture the most beautiful and magical celestial show to be seen by human eyes.” —Bob McDonald, Science Journalist/Host of CBC’s Quirks & Quarks
Watch the book trailer.
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$18.00
When you look up into the sky, do you notice that some stars don’t seem to twinkle? That’s because these objects are planets, not stars! The planets in our solar system appear to wander against a backdrop of stars as they revolve around our Sun. Journey through this fun guide to the planets and discover the exciting stories created long ago to explain the mysteries of the ancient world. Learn how to identify the planets and check the Planetary Notes to see what makes each one unique. Next time you look into the night sky, find the planets and remember the stories of the ancient gods for whom they were named!
- Ages 8-13
- Shortlisted, Rocky Mountain Book Award
- Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” selection
- Edmonton Public School Board recommended title
- Recommended—Science: Core Learning Resources, Grade 6
“This is an excellent book. It’s very interesting to read about the mythological stories behind the names of the planets of our solar system, as well as the planetary facts. I appreciate that Joan Marie Galat is very careful in making the important distinction between the myths and the facts of what we know today. I believe that star gazers of all ages will be fascinated by these stories.”—Julie Payette, astronaut
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$18.00
People all around the world gaze up in wonder at the Moon. Ancient peoples marveled too, and told many stories inspired by its mystery. Dot to Dot in the Sky: Stories of the Moon, the third book in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series, is a collection of stories and myths from many different cultures.
Join Rabbit of the Mi’k Maq legend as he captures the thieving Moon Man. Discover why, in China, the Man in the Moon has a greedy face. Learn why the Moon in West Africa is now a treasure for everyone to share.
Magical illustrations accompany these engaging Moon myths along with facts about geology, tides, Moon phases, eclipses, and much more.
- Ages 8-13
- Writers Guild of Alberta R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature
- Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice selection
- Edmonton Public School Board recommended title
“Looking up at the Moon …lured me into space. The largest dot in the night sky is the Moon, and its facts and mysteries are beautifully connected in Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Moon.” —
“Stories of the Moon is a nonfiction book filled with mythological stories from around the world and distinctive facts about geology, tides, Moon phases, eclipses and much more….Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine, Georgie Perigny
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$18.00
Stories of the Zodiac is the fourth book in the best-selling Dot to Dot in the Sky series, blending sky science with ancient myths. The adventures of gods, animals and heroes are illustrated in the 12 zodiac constellations. Each constellation presents a Greek myth to discover and myriad celestial objects to explore, including nebulae, multiple star systems and meteor showers.
Discover how the constellations have been used to create horoscopes that describe personalities and predict the future. Find out the difference between astrology and astronomy. Use the glow-in-the-dark map of the night sky to identify the constellations and search easily for them. Learn the stories that originated long ago, when people first gazed at the same star patterns we see today.
- Ages 9-13
- Gold Moonbeam Award (science/activity category)
- Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award
- Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award nomination
- Semi-finalist Calgary Public Library Foundation Literary Awards
- Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids/Teens
- Edmonton Public School Board recommended title
“This beautiful book, enhanced by Lorna Bennett’s illustrations, holds two ideas in perfect tension: the aurora is a comprehensible scientificphenomenon yet remains a mysterious force that provokes universal wonder.” —Rebecca Foster, Foreword Reviews
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$18.00
What will the weather be today? Is it going to be sunny and clear, or will there be icy winds? Do I need a coat? These seem like simple questions, but the challenge to predict and understand the weather has perplexed humankind for thousands of years.
In Stories in the Clouds, Joan Marie Galat expands the scope of her popular Dot to Dot in the Sky series to look at the weather as we understand it today, contrasted with the myths and legends our ancestors used to explain the weather—from sunshine and clouds to violent storms. Read about Russia’s Father Frost, whose icy touch was a danger to those he deemed unworthy. Discover the tale of Maui, the Hawaiian god who brought powerful winds to his island just to fly his tree-sized kite, and Lei-Gong, the Chinese Thunder god who, when displeased, could make the clouds roll and rumble with each strike of his drum.
With gorgeous pastel illustrations by Georgia Graham, Stories in the Clouds features detailed sidebars to explain the seasons and our atmosphere. You will find curious facts and trivia that explain the weather’s strange and erratic behavior, alongside stories from around the world. Together they demonstrate what a mysterious and wonderful phenomenon the weather can really be.
- Ages 9-13
- Skipping Stones Book Award
- Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) Best Books for Kids & Teens for Spring
Watch the book trailer.
“Joan has created yet another perfect blend of science and stories. A beautiful mix of weather elements, that are scientifically accurate, together with anecdotal mythology that adds such a human perspective to our world. I have always loved reading her books, and this one does not disappoint.” —Claire Martin, Meteorologist
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Look up in the sky! There’s a flying horse, a queen, and even a dragon! The night sky is a treasure trove of stories filled with heroes, wild animals, and adventure. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look.
Fifteen constellations are portrayed in this fun guide to astronomy, from the easily recognizable Ursa Major, the big bear, to the distinct stars of Orion, the famous hunter. Each constellation features a pronunciation guide, a myth to explain the constellation, and sure-fire instructions on how to find each group of stars. This ultimate guide to star-gazing is the perfect bed-time book– just don’t expect to get much sleep!
- Ages 8-13
- Canadian National Bestseller
“Connecting dots in the night sky is a sensible first step to begin exploring Earth, where we live among the stars.”—
“Combining classical mythology and astronomy, this slim volume introduces novice stargazers to the night sky…Students may well develop a lifelong interest in astronomy from reading books such as this.” —Linda Wadleigh, Oconee County Middle School, Watkinsville, GA