OUT OF THIS WORLD

A poetic tour of the galaxy.

Walker divides this book into seven broad categories, from “Constellations and Astronomers” to “Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors.” She begins by addressing humans’ long fascination with the sky, invoking three examples: the constellation Orion, Galileo, and the Hubble Space Telescope. From there, several spreads describe the beginning of the universe (“one minuscule speck / grows into the universe / a mind-boggling birth”), then stars (“distant candles flare / light glimmers through time and space / past becomes present”), the sun, moons, and eclipses, and more. Trueman’s sweeping illustrations, many spanning two pages, emphasize the immensity of space. Swirling backgrounds layered with details—some realistic, some fanciful—invite readers to linger and wonder much longer than it takes to read Walker’s spare verses. Walker is challenged by haiku’s strict structure and the immensity of the subject. Some poems read more smoothly than others; many use metaphors that may not have meaning for young readers unfamiliar with the science that inspires the verses, though the detailed backmatter offers information on the topics alluded to in the poems as well as a glossary, further reading, and online resources. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An awe-inspiring intro to an immense subject of endless curiosity and imagination.