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    Cosmic Wonder follows Halley’s Comet through Earth’s history

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    By Jessica on October 29, 2023 ages 3 & up, picture books

    COSMIC WONDER: Halley’s Comet and Humankind, by Ashley Benham-Yazdani, Candlewick, Oct. 10, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-7)

    Travel through Earth’s history in Cosmic Wonder: Halley’s Comet and Humankind, a nonfiction picture book by Ashley Benham-Yazdani.

    First recorded traveling overhead in 240 BCE, Halley’s Comet returns every 76 years or so for a fresh glimpse of life on bountiful Earth.

    In this story told from the comet’s point of view, the creator of A Green Place to Be weaves scenes of Halley’s hurtling through space with views of Earth and its evolving flora and fauna below. Even as humans gaze up in search of the celestial wanderer—tracking the “broom star” in words and pictures—the comet gazes down, forming gentle conclusions. 

    Each visit reveals how curious and creative humans transform the planet, contributing war and pollution but also a boundless capacity to love. What will the comet find when it passes again in 2061? Time stamps and thorough back matter ground this story in sound historical and scientific research.

    A kaleidoscope of biodiversity, locales, and peoples, Cosmic Wonder gracefully charts the highs and lows of human civilization through the eyes of a sympathetic watcher. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

    Cosmic Wonder is a luminous look at Halley’s Comet. This book reminds us how young we are in the cosmic timeline. It also reminds of how interconnected things are. And it pushes us to consider both our past and our future.

    Author/illustrator Ashley Benham-Yazdani’s text is contemplative and gentle. It’s a pleasure to read aloud. And her mixed media illustrations beautifully rendered. This would be a fun addition to a classroom or home library.

     

    Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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    Jessica
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    Jessica Harrison is the reviewer behind Cracking the Cover. She loves books and worked as the in-house book critic at a daily newspaper, writing reviews and interviewing authors for two years. When the company cut back, she lost her position covering books, but that doesn't mean she stopped reading. If anything, the whole experience made her more passionate about reading and giving people the tools to make informed decisions in their own book choices. She has been featured on NetGalley's Blogger Spotlight and is on Kindleprenuer's Ultimate List of the Best Book Review Blogs. Contact her at jessica(at)crackingthecover(dot)com and follow Cracking the Cover on Bluesky, Instagram,  Facebook and Twitter (X) @crackingthecovr. You can also read scaled down reviews on Jessica's Goodreads review page. Jessica is also a reviewer on Amazon.

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