Similar in format to Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations (1998), this companion volume presents a series of 10 constellations and briefly retells the Greek myths related to them. Each of the main double-page spreads introduces a figure, such as Cassiopeia, Lyra, or Hercules, using a few short paragraphs of text and three-quarter page illustrations in glowing colors. Some of the tales relate to one another in a sequence, while others are told separately. Although the stories are quite short, Mitton's vivid word choices make the text as dynamic as Balit's striking pictures. Partly abstract and partly representational, the artwork features bold figures of mythological characters with silver-foil stars highlighting the points of light that make up the constellations. The final pages offer information about the stars, nebulae, galaxies, and constellations and give astronomical descriptions of the constellations featured. On the endpapers, star maps of the northern and southern skies show the featured constellations in red on black. A lively introduction.

This book summarizes the myths associated with ten constellations, from Cassiopeia to Argo. Each double-page spread illustrates its constellation, with figures surrounding the foil silver stars embedded in a night sky. Additional information concludes the text, and endpapers map the northern and southern skies. The book succeeds artistically but is too slight to be an astronomy guide.

This team of British astronomer and artist offer another winner in the stars-for-kids department. Mitton manages lucid and extremely brief stories of Orion, Hercules, Andromeda, and so on, and Balit illustrates them in rich velvet colors and often fanciful detail. Ophiuchus (Asclepius) wrestles a crested, scaled serpent; Orion bears a club and wears a lion skin. Silver foil highlights the stars of each constellation in the figures so they do indeed glow, and that adds to the splendid design. Endpapers diagram northern and southern skies with all the constellations. The text closes with brisk, clear definitions of some of the "night sky objects" discussed. Though the stories are extremely abbreviated, this is an attractive beginning. (Nonfiction. 5-9)

K-Gr 4-Another welcome entry from the duo that collaborated on Zoo in the Sky (1998) and Kingdom of the Sun (2001, both National Geographic). The stories come from the Greek and Roman pantheon of gods, goddesses, monsters, and myths, from Cassiopeia to Andromeda, and Perseus to Pegasus. The 10 tales are condensed into a few paragraphs each, which hardly do them justice, but may send children off to investigate further. Each lush, nearly double-page spread is an enticing riot of color and detail that almost overshadows superimposed shiny foil stars delineating the constellations. Endpapers of the Northern and Southern skies help elucidate the stars' arrangement in the night sky. Additional constellations are included in the star maps, with those considered in the book highlighted in red. Two pages of end material discuss astronomical topics in more detail. This title is a welcome addition to any library.-Dona Ratterree, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.