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Summary: the most gorgeous book your child will have
Review: Although fundamentalists and other extremists may hate the look and tone of this book, it is a story of courage and exploration, told in a remarkably light-handed way, that even the youngest child can appreciate. It made me -- and my 3 year old -- want to learn all about stars and exploration!
Rating: 
Summary: May be more for adults than children?
Review: Although the illustrations are delightful and fun to explore I was disappointed with the book. I bought it to give to my 7 year old grand daughter and I have not givent it to her yet. I feel this is a book written for someone who already knows a lot about Gallileo. Those who already know a lot will enjoy the illustrations, those who need to learn will miss the message.
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Summary: A picture book biography of astronomer Galileo Galilei
Review: Czecholsovakian author Peter Sis tells the story of Astronomer Galileo Galilei through a picture book filled with beautiful illustrations and celestial metaphor.The story moves quickly from the theories of Ptolemy and Copernicus to the birth of "a little boy . . . with stars in his eyes." The story goes on with traditional style text at the bottom of each page, and with additional quotes from Galileo's own notebook. The added bonus of strategically placed timelines showing other events of significance raises the story to a new level. The illustrations, in and of themselves, offer more than the eye can absorb in one sitting, and the fact that the author is also the illustrator is evident in the strength of the pictures tying perfectly to the text. At the story's end, readers are presented with one last timeline which gives four last dates of significance in Galileo's life: 1633-Galileo is sentenced for heresy; 1642-Galileo dies; 1989-the Galileo spacecraft is launched; 1992-Galileo is pardoned by the leaders of the Catholic Church, who admit that his theories of the earth rotating around the sun, instead of the other way around, is "probably" right. I used this book in my 7th grade world history class at the end of our unit on the Renaissance. It provided a reality for the students that sometimes is missed in history books, allowing the students to see what the Renaissance, Inquisition, and patronage was like for a real man; my 7 and 10 year old daughters enjoyed reading it too. I highly recommend this book to parents, teachers and students of all ages!
Rating:
Summary: Reach for the stars!
Review: Far from being a boring summary of the life of the astronomer, Galileo, Starry Messenger is an enlightening look at a man persecuted in his time. This book with its brilliant illustrations, draws you into the world of this great man. With its story book appeal, children, who will like its illustrations, will enjoy the book as will adults who will appreciate Gallileo's recreated notes. Starry Messenger is a good book with a large appeal and a good story to boot!
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Summary: A 4 star book on the life of a 4 star astronomer
Review: Fresh from a short introductory course in amateur astronomy, I am awe-struck by the enormity of the heavens and wonder why it has taken me a half century to look up and really consider the stars, the planets, and Earth's place in the Universe. Starry Messenger, created and illustrated by Peter Sis, depicts the life of Galileo Galilei, a famous scientist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and physicist who considered such astronomical things over 350 years ago and forever changed the way we view our place in the universal order of things. In direct prose, simple enough for a first grade student to comprehend, Sis relates the life of Galileo from his birth in Italy in 1564 through his education and many astounding scientific observations and inventions. Galileo is especially remembered for his invention of the first astronomical telescope through which he gazed night after night, writing down everything he observed, and publishing his findings in a book called Starry Messenger. Contradicting popular opinion, Galileo held firm to his observed conclusion that the earth revolves around the sun, even when the Church tried and condemned him for such "heretical" teachings. Sis enhances his recounting of Galileo's life with illustrations reminiscent of scientific drawings executed during the 16th and 17th centuries. Cursive script of Galileo's thoughts and the thoughts of other famous men of the period are interspersed throughout the drawings, expanding the scope of the narrative. For a heavenly adventure with appeal to young and old, read Sis's Starry Messenger on a clear night, then step outside and take a good look up.
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Summary: Book appeals to several age groups
Review: I bought this book for our church library because it represents the trial of Galileo before the Pope. I want students to understand that even if the church's top bosses say you are wrong, sometimes they are misinformed or ignorant of the true facts and you are still right. I want them to see that this is what constitutes courage--staying true to something you know is right. This type of idea plays out today in various denominations preventing women or gays from ordination as priests or ministers or even as members, in some churches' scorn of homosexual marriage. etc. If you know something is right or true for you, even if a church would kick you out, you must still stick to your beliefs and work for change. An especially nice thing about this book is that the main text is for 4-9 year olds, but there is additional cursive lettering which gives information to older kids capable of understanding it. My one complaint is that this more complex information is hard to read because it is in smalll cursive, and forms all kinds of patterns, even spirals. All in all though, a nice book.
Rating:
Summary: May be more for adults than children?
Review: In this amusing and insightful book, Peter Sis has attracted more then one audience. Starry Messenger (a Caldecott Honor book) tells the story of Galileo Galilei and some of his accomplishments. The actual story is interesting, but the illustrations are amazing! His pictures are detailed and
intricate, including every possible detail the mind can imagine. On the page introducing Galileo, perhaps fifty babies wrapped in blankets are pictured. On each blanket is their future occupation. You see a baker, a priest, a farmer, a knight, and a barrelmaker among many others. But Galileo is one that stands out. His blanket is dark blue and covered with
white stars, foreshadowing his remarkable life. The Starry Messenger is a picture book, but don't let that label fool you. Most adults will find the facts about Galileo written in the margins interesting, and as I have, the pictures astounding. Words cannot do this book justice, its marvelous work of art!
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Summary: Its not just another picture book
Review: In this amusing and insightful book, Peter Sis has attracted more then one audience. Starry Messenger (a Caldecott Honor book) tells the story of Galileo Galilei and some of his accomplishments. The actual story is interesting, but the illustrations are amazing! His pictures are detailed and
intricate, including every possible detail the mind can imagine. On the page introducing Galileo, perhaps fifty babies wrapped in blankets are pictured. On each blanket is their future occupation. You see a baker, a priest, a farmer, a knight, and a barrelmaker among many others. But Galileo is one that stands out. His blanket is dark blue and covered with
white stars, foreshadowing his remarkable life. The Starry Messenger is a picture book, but don't let that label fool you. Most adults will find the facts about Galileo written in the margins interesting, and as I have, the pictures astounding. Words cannot do this book justice, its marvelous work of art!
Rating:
Summary: Starry Messenger: A Must Read
Review: Starry Messenger by Peter Sis is one of the best children's books I have ever read. It captured the imagination of my 5 year old daughter, who loves art and science. The book introduced her to Galileo and presented, in a very effective and compelling manner, the concept of intellectual independence, dissent, and moral conviction. The illustrations are very beautiful, the story told in a deceptively simple yet philosophical manner, and the topic, of course, wonderful. Highly, highly, highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Over simplified
Review: The story of Galileo is much more complicated than just being a "heretic". In order to understand the full complications of the story, one would have to understand that the problem was not Galileo against the Bible, but Galileo against Hellenized Christianity-- Aristotle and Plato; the creeds of the church fathers, i.e. the Apologists, etc.; in other words orthodox Christianity which had come under the domination of Greek Philosophy. What Galileo was arguing against was NOT in the Bible, it was Catholic Church doctrine mixed with Greek Philosophy (the metaphysics of Aristotle and Plato) which is still prevalent in some fundamentalist Protestant sects.
I fully understand that this is a children's book, and even some adults would disagree with my review. This is due to ignorance of Church history and doctrine, not to mention bias and prejudice. Therefore, I am only writing this to encourage older readers to look more deeply into the situation between Galileo and the Church. Although I am not a Catholic, and definitely not a Catholic apologist, the Church is usually portrayed in a worse case scenario than they deserve. Always remember that the Church at that time was also the secular judge and jury, and that they tried very hard to work with Galileo, who, at times, was kind of a behavior problem.
Before you have a knee-jerk reaction and say this review did not help you, remember that educated people will read this, and you could end up looking very ignorant. Do your homework first. All is not like you've always heard about Galileo. Atheists and agnostics love to put their own spin on things. Just ask the Boy Scouts of America.
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