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ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: MAKE YOUR MARK, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.joangalat.com
CITY: Edmonton
STATE:
COUNTRY: Canada
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married (divorced); children: one daughter.
EDUCATION:Graduated from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer, editor, consultant, and educator. Former radio marketer and announcer and magazine editor; MoonDot Media, owner and communications professional; freelance writer and editor, conference speaker, and workshop leader.
AVOCATIONS:Stilt walking.
MEMBER:All American Speakers, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Writers Union of Canada, Writers Guild of Alberta, Young Alberta Book Society.
AWARDS:Martha Weston Grant, SCBWI, 2018.
WRITINGS
Contributor of articles to periodicals and radio stations, including CBC Radio.
SIDELIGHTS
[open new]Joan Marie Galat is a Canadian author specializing in scientific nonfiction for youths. She was raised in the hamlet of Sherwood Park, outside of Edmonton, Alberta. As a girl she enjoyed swimming, camping, skiing, and traveling, with her family frequently crisscrossing Canada. She enjoyed creating handmade books by age nine and was already getting published at age twelve: an honorable mention in a writing contest for the Edmonton Journal led to an invitation to contribute to the weekly Sherwood Park Star by mail. The editor may not have realized Galat was only an eighth grader. About her column, Galat explained to Martita Mestey of Medium: “It was up to me to dream up topics and I decided to write a question and answer column on birds. When the mail brought questions, I had to conduct research and write answers in my own words. Readers sometimes brought me wild birds they had rescued, and I released them into the wild.” Helping by checking her grammar, her mother further bolstered her interest in nature by arranging for Galat to volunteer with Edmonton’s John Janzen Nature Centre at age fourteen. A staff member there helped Galat overcome her fear of snakes and even handle the resident garter snake.
Attending the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Galat studied biological sciences with a focus on ecology. In the long term this would provide the background for her writing career, but in the short term, before the boom in environmentalism, she had trouble gaining employment. She ended up working in radio, getting advice from her father about selling commercials, and eventually found her way into freelance writing and editing. An entrepreneur, she founded MoonDot Media to offer professional literary services as well as training courses in communications and creativity. In her career as a children’s book author, speaking engagements have taken her as far as Australia and South Korea.
About her guiding aim as a writer, Galat told CanvasRebel, “I may be obsessed with getting other people interested in the same topics I care about.” Speaking with From the Mixed-Up Files, she added, “When I discover amazing people, compelling facts, and irresistible stories, I want others to feel the same interest and excitement I feel.” Galat is especially passionate about helping youths understand the importance of caring for the environment and taking action in their daily lives to make the world a greener, healthier place.
In 2001 Galat made her children’s debut with her first “Dot to Dot in the Sky” title, Stories in the Stars. The third book in the series, Stories of the Moon, shares scientific facts as well as folklore about the moon from cultures around the world. Galat explains the moon’s phases, eclipses, humans’ travel to the moon, and myths about the “Man in the Moon” and full moons making people act strange. In Resource Links, Carolyn Cutt appreciated how “each myth is introduced with a vivid, colourful full-page illustration” and an “extensive glossary” is included.
Elaborating the intersections of arboreal and human life on earth is Galat’s Branching Out: How Trees Are Part of Our Lives. After an introduction about the anatomy of trees and their benefits to humankind—especially in the age of global warming—the book focuses on eleven different species of trees. Maps, photos, and drawings reveal the trees’ unique features and what they have to offer: mangrove roots protect shorelines; pau brasil wood is a source of red dye; the menthol in camphor laurel leaves has a medicinal effect; and Scotch pines make great Christmas trees. Resource Links reviewer Laura Reilly declared that “the text is well written” and “provides the reader with a global perspective on trees, habitat, animals, economy, conservation, and culture.” A Kirkus Reviews writer hailed the “wide-ranging and fascinating information” and the message that “trees matter in our world.”
Galat helps young readers understand the negative effects that human society can have on nature in Dark Matters: Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution and Too Much Trash. In Dark Matters Galat explains how species of mammals, birds, bugs, fish, and plants are variously affected by civilization’s many sources of artificial light, including headlights, streetlights, buildings. Vision, hunting, mating, and nesting can all be adversely affected by excessive light during the night. Framing the facts are Galat’s reflections about time spent outdoors as both a nature-loving child and a conscientious adult. Although reviewers pointed out that the starry-sky background can make the text hard to read except, ironically, in bright light, a Kirkus Reviews writer praised the book’s “enlightening … ruminations on the value of being in the dark.” Too Much Trash enumerates the ways that humans’ trash can cause problems in nature. Creatures small and large can get trapped in discarded items; animals sometimes accidentally ingest plastic and latex; chemicals can make environments toxic and poisonous. The book offers young readers plenty of suggestions about how to minimize waste and help clean-up efforts. With Galat proclaiming that “waste out of place is both ugly and hazardous, but kids can combat it,” a Kirkus Reviews writer concluded that “this work should move readers to act.”
Stories of the Aurora, another “Dot to Dot in the Sky” title, explains the science behind the northern lights and how different cultures interpreted them as messages from the spirit world or omens of major events. The lights are created when solar particles interact with the earth’s magnetic field and atmospheric gas. Included are stories from the Sammi, Lapp, Norse, Greek, Algonquin, Micmac, and Inuit cultures. In Multicultural Education, Barbara Shaw deemed Stories of the Aurora “both entertaining and educational.”
Galat’s daughter’s distress at challenging situations for people around the world inspired her youth-activism manifesto Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet. After introducing issues surrounding the environment, animal rights, human rights, and even outer space, Galat guides young readers into getting involved. She describes movements, profiles activists, and identifies organizations seeking to make a difference. One chapter shows what artwork alone can achieve, and lively graphics, lists, quizzes, prompts, and sidebars round out the text. Kathleen McBroom of Booklist noted that Galat provides “all necessary ingredients” for inspiring youths toward activism, from “cheerful exhortations” to “upbeat assurances” to “step-by-step directions.” McBroom affirmed that “this inspiring manual teems with realistic and creative suggestions.” A Kirkus Reviews writer commended the focus on essential “life skills and qualities …, such as research, critical thinking, organization, record-keeping, and empathy.” The reviewer praised Make Your Mark, Make a Difference as a “hands-on, practical, wide-ranging, and information-packed handbook for budding activists.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, February 15, 2024, Kathleen McBroom, review of Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet, p. 38.
Kirkus Reviews, October 15, 2012, review of The Discovery of Longitude; September 15, 2014, review of Branching Out: How Trees are Part of Our World; June 15, 2017, review of Dark Matters: Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution; September 1, 2022, review of Mortimer: Rat Race to Space; February 1, 2023, review of Too Much Trash; December 1, 2023, review of Make Your Mark, Make a Difference.
Multicultural Education, spring-summer, 2017, Barbara Shaw, review of Stories of the Aurora, p. 48.
Resource Links, February, 2005, Carolyn Cutt, review of Stories of the Moon, p. 17; December, 2014, Laura Reilly, review of Branching Out, p. 25.
School Library Journal, April, 2013, Rebecca Dash Donsky, review of The Discovery of Longitude, p. 178.
Voice of Youth Advocates, August, 2018, Jennifer Staller, review of Dark Matters, p. 79.
ONLINE
CanvasRebel, https://canvasrebel.com/ (January 8, 2024), “Meet Joan Marie Galat.”
From the Mixed-Up Files, https://fromthemixedupfiles.com/ (August 16, 2024), author interview.
Joan Marie Galat website, https://www.joangalat.com (August 16, 2024).
Medium, https://medium.com/ (December 26, 2023), Martita Mestey, “Author Joan Marie Galat: 5 Things We Must Do to Inspire the Next Generation about Sustainability and the Environment.”
MoonDot Media website, https://moondotmedia.com/ (August 16, 2024), author profile.
About Joan
Much of my writing is for adult audiences but more people know me as an author of children’s science books. Some call me the star-lady because of my astronomy titles and interest in everything outer space. I enjoy delivering presentations on my book topics and promoting literacy and science, as well as showing others how to find their way around the night sky.
Writing for children is a passion, perhaps because I enjoyed reading so much while growing up. Now I write the kinds of books that first intrigued me, as well as titles that reflect my current interests. My biography, below, goes into all the details.
As a freelance writer and editor, I get to explore a variety of subjects, from agriculture to zoology, and many topics in-between. Some days see me delivering virtual writing workshops. Other days find me editing an annual report or writing speeches for clients. Every day brings new writing experiences. I’m never bored!
BIOGRAPHY
Although she started making books at the age of nine, Joan Marie Galat wasn’t published until 12 years old, when she became a paid weekly newspaper columnist. Today she is the award-winning author of more than 25 books, with translations in seven languages. Her titles include Make Your Mark, Make a Difference (Aladdin/Beyond Words), Mortimer: Rat Race to Space (DCB), Absolute Expert: Space (National Geographic Kids), Stars (Scholastic USA), and Too Much Trash: How Litter is Hurting Animals (Orca Book Publishers).
Joan shares her love of the stars in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series which combines the science of the night sky with the ancient myths that give constellations and planets their names. Her first title, Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Stars, became a best seller within six weeks of its release. As well as astronomy and mythology, Joan’s books for children explore activism, human rights, light pollution, ecology, nature, wildlife, engineering, history, and other topics. She writes both fiction and non-fiction, often with a focus on one or more STEM topics (science, technology, engineering, and math). Titles for adults include a travel guide and motivational book.
A prolific writer and relentless promoter of reading, Joan loves to use storytelling to connect with audiences. Speaking engagements have taken Joan across Canada, as well as to international events such as the United Nations Environment Programme in Seoul, South Korea; the International Dark-Sky Conference in Snowbird, USA, and an international book fair in Seoul. In Australia, Joan spoke to child, family, and adult audiences. Closer to home, she has been part of the Jasper Dark Sky Festival and toured schools and libraries across Canada. She is the 2018 recipient of the Martha Weston Grant, awarded annually to one member (worldwide) of the USA based Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Joan operates MoonDot Media, a communications business offering writing and editing solutions in broadcast, print, and multi-media. Freelance jobs have encompassed writing radio and video scripts, a cartoon, magazine articles, exhibit text, speechwriting, grant applications, annual reports, and other projects. She also provides custom corporate training, as well as consults for writers on query letters, manuscripts, and the submission process.
ABOUT
Joan Marie Galat established MoonDot Media in response to the many requests she received to create and edit written content for corporate and government clients in broadcast, print, and multi-media. She is an international, award winning author of 25 books, including a Canadian best seller and titles with foreign translations. Joan’s books are published by National Geographic Kids, Whitecap Books, Scholastic Canada, Scholastic USA, and other professional publishing houses.
Her extensive credits include hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines, as well as numerous radio broadcasts for CBC Radio and other radio stations. A professional speech writer, Joan has written on a wide variety of topics for elected government officials and other clients, as well as her own speeches, including a United Nations Environment Programme event. Her freelance work has also encompassed writing exhibit text, radio and video scripts, educational materials, grant and award applications, business correspondence, an Internet cartoon, and much more.
As a journalist, former radio announcer, and former magazine editor, Joan brings extensive communications experience to writing and editing projects. Her awards and honors include the Santa Monica Public Library Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, the Crystal Kite Award for Canada, the R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature (twice), and the Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award.
When not writing or editing, Joan can often be found talking about writing and editing. She teaches writing to both students and adults, provides keynote speeches and public speaking at conferences and other events, and offers consulting to aspiring writers and authors. When it’s time to escape from the computer, Joan enjoys stiltwalking. Look for the tallest author you may ever meet at festivals and other events in the Edmonton area.
Member of:
Access Copyright
All American Speakers
Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
The Writers Union of Canada
Writers Guild of Alberta
Young Alberta Book Society (YABS)
Joan in the News
Joan Marie Galat established MoonDot Media in response to the many requests she received to create and edit written content for corporate and government clients in broadcast, print, and multi-media. She is an international, award winning author of 25 books, including a Canadian best seller and titles with foreign translations. Joan’s books are published by National Geographic Kids, Whitecap Books, Scholastic Canada, Scholastic USA, and other professional publishing houses.
Her extensive credits include hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines, as well as numerous radio broadcasts for CBC Radio and other radio stations. A professional speech writer, Joan has written on a wide variety of topics for elected government officials and other clients, as well as her own speeches, including a United Nations Environment Programme event. Her freelance work has also encompassed writing exhibit text, radio and video scripts, educational materials, grant and award applications, business correspondence, an Internet cartoon, and much more.
As a journalist, former radio announcer, and former magazine editor, Joan brings extensive communications experience to writing and editing projects. Her awards and honors include the Santa Monica Public Library Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, the Crystal Kite Award for Canada, the R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature (twice), and the Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award.
When not writing or editing, Joan can often be found talking about writing and editing. She teaches writing to both students and adults, provides keynote speeches and public speaking at conferences and other events, and offers consulting to aspiring writers and authors. When it’s time to escape from the computer, Joan enjoys stiltwalking. Look for the tallest author you may ever meet at festivals and other events in the Edmonton area.
Member of:
Access Copyright
All American Speakers
Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
The Writers Union of Canada
Writers Guild of Alberta
Young Alberta Book Society (YABS)
Although she started making books at the age of nine, Joan Marie Galat wasn’t published until she was 12 years old, when she became a paid weekly newspaper columnist. Today she is the international award-winning author of more than 25 books in seven languages.
Joan shares her love of the stars in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series, which combines sky science with the ancient myths that give night sky objects their names. Her first book, Dot to Dot in the Sky - Stories in the Stars, became a best seller within six weeks of its release. Joan's National Geographic Kids title—Solve This! Wild and Wacky Challenges for the Genius Engineer in You—steers young readers into building their creativity through the engineering process. Her middle grade novel—Mortimer: Rat Race to Space—explores what happens when a journal-keeping lab rat on the International Space Station sets out to prove his species should be the one to colonize Mars.
Joan’s books for children explore engineering, space, astronomy, ancient myths and legends, light pollution, litter, volcanoes, history, nature, wildlife, ecology, and other topics. Her work for adults include a travel guide and motivational title.
A prolific writer for all ages and relentless promoter of reading, Joan uses storytelling to connect with audiences. She offers virtual and in person presentations. Career highlights have involved speaking at a United Nations Environment Programme event in South Korea; international tours, and presenting at schools and libraries across Canada.
Joan operates MoonDot Media, a communications business offering writing and editing solutions in broadcast, print, and multi-media. Freelance jobs have encompassed writing radio and video scripts, an Internet cartoon, magazine articles, exhibit text, speeches, annual reports, and other projects. She also provides consulting for writers on query letters, manuscripts, and the submission process. Visit www.joangalat.com or www.moondotmedia.come for additional information.
Meet Joan Marie Galat
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STORIES & INSIGHTS
JANUARY 8, 2024
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We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joan Marie Galat. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joan Marie below.
Joan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Writing the book—Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet (Aladdin/Beyond Words)—was a particularly meaningful project. This comprehensive guide for middle readers encourages kids and teens to make the changes they want to see in our world. It delivers essential human rights background, strategies for change, and the perspective that every contribution matters.
My challenge was to figure out the best way to raise often-sobering topics for readers ten years and up. How could I inspire them to turn toward difficult issues rather than away? It took more than one strategy! I incorporated humor, where appropriate, a conversational tone, and fun sidebar elements to keep readers engaged. I included compelling examples of kids, teens, adults, and organizations facing local, national, and international problems. Seeing how others work to save animals, protect habitat, safeguard the environment, ensure safe schools, promote peace, reduce poverty, and confront other injustices is sure to help kids realize, “I can do this, too.”
Make Your Mark, Make a Difference has been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. It’s exciting to think how young readers might use this book to create a better world.
Joan, we love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a professionally published author with titles for both adults and children. My career officially started at age 12 when I became a paid columnist for a weekly newspaper. (An editor invited me to contribute after seeing my honorable mention in a writing contest.) The work was conducted by mail, and I’m not sure whether she ever knew my real age! I liked dreaming up ideas, conducting research, and polishing my words. I still enjoy these things!
An avid reader, I’ve always wanted to write books. Interested in the natural world too, I pursued postsecondary study in biological sciences. Today my career allows me to combine my passion for words with my love of the outdoors, and use my skills to spotlight important and interesting topics. I write nonfiction and fiction, and often explore science themes. My publishers include National Geographic Kids, Aladdin/Beyond Words, Scholastic, DCB, and others. I’ve been humbled to have a Canadian national bestseller, translations in seven languages, and titles recognized with awards and other accolades.
Publication has led to wonderful opportunities. I’ve been able to accept invitations to promote literacy and science across Canada and internationally. I visit schools, libraries, and other venues, and take part in events that allow me to amplify the ideas shared in my books including light pollution, conservation, social justice, and activism.
The second expertise is plain language talking. As a trainer, I present in a style that helps participants gain the confidence they need to immediately apply new skills to their own unique circumstances. Clients tell me that this factor sets my training apart. My custom workshops encompass writing, editing, creativity, public speaking, media training, goal setting, and other topics. Whether I’m writing speeches, editing annual reports, or delivering training, I’m always learning new ways to support my clients.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
A theme is driving my creative journey! A look back at my 25+ published books reveals I may be obsessed with getting other people interested in the same topics I care about. When a subject engages me, I want others to experience the same excitement I feel.
This feeling motivated me to write books about the stars, planets, auroras, and other night sky objects in my six title Dot to Dot in the Sky series. These books partner sky science with the stories ancient cultures first told about the night sky, and I wrote them to inspire others to look up at the amazing sites overhead. This enthusiasm also led me to write about how remarkable it is to live in outer space (Mortimer: Rat Race to Space, DCB) and the astounding impact of trees (Branching Out: How Trees are part of Our World, Owlkids).
Other times, however, I’m inspired by issues that concern me, as you can see in these books:
– Make Your Mark, Make a Difference, A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up For People, Animals, and the Planet (Aladdin/Beyond Words)
– Wildlife Crossings: Giving Animals the Right of Way (Orca Book Publishers)
– Too Much Trash: How Litter is Hurting Animals (Orca Book Publishers)
– Dark Matters: Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution (Red Deer Press).
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
My father could be described as the chief resource to impact my entrepreneurial spirit. The environmental movement hadn’t taken off when I graduated from biological sciences and it was tough to find permanent jobs in my field. I eventually found work in radio and my role included selling commercials. A skilled negotiator, Dad offered the encouragement and advice I needed. He helped me develop a positive attitude to rejection and persevere with optimism. These skills served me well when I established MoonDot Media: Broadcast & Print, and when I pursued book publishing.
My journey to becoming an author taught me it’s not enough to master the craft of writing. It is also necessary to understand how the publishing industry works. I read articles and books, met with writers-in-residence, and attended conferences where I learned from industry experts. Memberships in professional organizations further helped me network and advance my career.
Now I’m a resource! I offer private consulting sessions with aspiring authors, edit query letters, offer manuscript reviews, and take the opportunity to recommend these books, which informed my own approach:
– The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide To Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman (Touchstone)
– Bestsellers: Top Writers Tell How by Richard Joseph (Summersdale)
– The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them) by Jack M. Bickham (Writer’s Digest Books).
Contact Info:
Websites: www.joangalat.com and moondotmedia.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmgalat
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Joan-Marie-Galat/125108027581967
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/joangalat
Twitter: twitter.com/JoanMarieGalat @joanmariegalat
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joanmgalat
Author Joan Marie Galat: 5 Things We Must Do To Inspire The Next Generation About Sustainability And The Environment
An Interview With Martita Mestey
Martita Mestey
Authority Magazine
Martita Mestey
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10 min read
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Dec 26, 2023
Buy your children books that expose them to the environmental topics you care about and read these books too! Sharing books on important themes will spark meaningful conversations you might not otherwise have. Your children will become more aware of topical issues and enjoy the added benefit of debating ideas with adults who have their best interests at heart.
Asa part of my series about what we must do to inspire the next generation about sustainability and the environment, I had the pleasure of interviewing Joan Marie Galat.
Joan Marie Galat is an international award-winning author of more than twenty-five books, including The Story of Malala Yousafzai, Dark Matters: Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution, and Too Much Trash: How Litter is Hurting Animals. She is known for presenting complex information to young readers in approachable and engaging ways. A professional speechwriter, former radio host, and frequent presenter, Joan has traveled across Canada and from Australia to South Korea to deliver literacy-building presentations based on her books. She lives near Edmonton, in Canada.
Learn more at www.joangalat.com.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
Ispent most of my childhood in a community known as the world’s largest hamlet. Sherwood Park is located just outside Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city. I liked to spend time outdoors, read, and write and started creating my first books around eight or nine years old. Other favorite pastimes included swimming, camping, bike riding, roller skating, ice skating, downhill skiing, and traveling. My childhood and teenage years included countless road trips that saw me crisscross Canada and the United States with my parents. This gave me plenty of time to read! I remember my chief concern being whether the accommodation would have a pool.
I was interested in birds, wildlife, and the environment, and I present my early outdoor experiences in a book that partners stories with an environmental issue: Dark Matters: Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution (Red Deer Press). This book’s publication recognizes that even though a childhood appears ordinary, it still holds stories worth telling — including the night I got to follow a radio collared moose around in the woods. Maybe it wasn’t so ordinary!
Was there an “aha moment” or a specific trigger that made you decide you wanted to become a scientist or environmental leader? Can you share that story with us?
A few pivotal moments occurred! I remember visiting a toy store while my mom shopped for groceries. Instead of spending my allowance on a toy, I bought a book on birds. It triggered a lifelong interest, and that book, along with camping and spending time outdoors, grew my interest in wildlife, trees, and pretty well anything nature related. My interest in astronomy also stemmed from reading The How and Why Wonder Book of Stars (Wonder Books). I wanted to be an ornithologist or an astronomer or set up my own nature center and educate people on the environment. I also loved books and wanted to be an author. In postsecondary, I studied biological sciences with a focus on ecology, and now write books that allow me to explore my interests.
Is there a lesson you can take out of your own story that can exemplify what can inspire a young person to become an environmental leader?
When I was twelve years old, I entered a writing contest in the Edmonton Journal. I didn’t win but something unexpected happened. My name — Joan Marie Galat — was in the newspaper followed by the words Honorable Mention. An editor from a weekly newspaper — the Sherwood Park Star — saw my name and invited me to become a contributor. I was an eighth grade student who became a paid weekly columnist! It was up to me to dream up topics and I decided to write a question and answer column on birds. When the mail brought questions, I had to conduct research and write answers in my own words. Readers sometimes brought me wild birds they had rescued, and I released them into the wild.
During this period, I never knew if the editor knew my real age, and I didn’t offer the information! Everything was conducted by mail. The takeaway here is that if you want to learn about a topic or educate others on a subject, it doesn’t matter how old you are. What matters is the effort you put into building your skills and implementing your ideas. I learned it’s also good to find people who support your endeavors. My mom, a whiz at grammar, checked my columns before I sent them in.
Can you tell our readers about the initiatives that you or your company are taking to address climate change or sustainability? Can you give an example for each?
As an author working from home in a rural area, I find many opportunities to make decisions that support a healthy environment. When running errands, I group as many as possible into one trip to reduce my carbon footprint and bring a refillable water bottle rather than purchase bottled water. When printing is unavoidable, I use both sides of the paper or the backside of used sheets. I choose nonchemical cleaning products, like vinegar, buy in bulk to reduce packaging, and avoid wasting standby power by unplugging electrical devices that are not in use. At night, I close blinds and curtains to make sure light does not pollute the habitat around our home. I think my biggest impact, however, is writing about how climate change is impacting our world and promoting sustainability though books like Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up to People, Animals, and the Planet (Aladdin/Beyond Words). As a public speaker, I take the opportunity to share these topics with wider audiences.
Can you share 3 lifestyle tweaks that the general public can do to be more sustainable or help address the climate change challenge?
These three approaches are easy to incorporate into daily living.
Instead of buying paper towels, use and reuse washable cloths or rags.
Reduce carbon emissions by eating more plant-based meals.
Refuse to purchase bottled water. Anticipate that you’ll be thirsty and carry your own water bottle.
The youth-led climate strikes of September 2019 showed an impressive degree of activism and initiative by young people on behalf of climate change. This was great, and there is still plenty that needs to be done. In your opinion, what are 5 things parents should do to inspire the next generation to become engaged in sustainability and the environmental movement? Please give a story or an example for each.
1. Buy your children books that expose them to the environmental topics you care about and read these books too! Sharing books on important themes will spark meaningful conversations you might not otherwise have. Your children will become more aware of topical issues and enjoy the added benefit of debating ideas with adults who have their best interests at heart.
2. Teach your children to think critically by educating them on fact-based evidence, and how to identify misinformation and disinformation. Discuss what motivates the spread of various types of communication. I often visit schools to discuss themes in my books, and students raise issues that they learned about through social media. I ask them to make it a habit to dig deeper — to look at the credentials of content creators and to use reputable sources to explore all angles of an issue — so that they can form opinions based on facts.
3. Teach your children how to fix things. When objects in our home break, we aim to repair rather than replace them. If you’re not sure how to tackle a project, find a good how-to book, explore online tutorials, or find someone who can advise you. You’ll be demonstrating the research skills every environmentalist needs and when you live sustainably, children learn organically from your example. Reinforce this message by talking about other ways to reduce and manage waste in our world.
4. Find opportunities for your children to take part in activities or events that support a healthy planet. You might enroll them in scouting or other clubs that promote environment awareness. As a child, I took part in a volunteer highway cleanup spearheaded by a 4-H club. Picking litter all day had a huge impact on me. I was appalled at the trash people let fly from their car windows. The experience led to a lifelong concern about trash and its impact on our environment. It’s a topic I address in Make Your Mark, Make a Difference, and it’s what sparked the idea for my book Too Much Trash: How Litter is Hurting Animals (Orca Book Publishers).
5. Point out positive age-appropriate news about climate change. Build optimism and hope for the future by learning from those who are facing this battle with courage and perseverance. I took this approach in Make Your Mark, Make a Difference, spotlighting people like Felix Finkbeiner who started a tree planting organization at age nine. His organization — Plant-for-the-Planet — has trained tree planters in seventy-five countries. Good stories inspire, motivate, and deliver the message that when it comes to following convictions, age is not an issue.
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
Customers and clients have a growing interest in supporting businesses that engage in sustainable practices. Those making decisions that favor the environment, such as reducing packaging, using less water or other resources, and lowering waste can realize lower operational costs. They will also grow more resilient over the long term. These dynamics all translate into higher profits.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
When I was fourteen, my mom arranged for me to volunteer at the John Janzen Nature Centre in Edmonton. Once a week, she drove me — 30 minutes one way — to nurture my interest in nature. One of my jobs was to interact with visitors and interpret local flora and fauna, including a garter snake in an aquarium. At this time, I was so terrified of snakes that even seeing one would trigger an intense nightmare. A staff member took the time to teach me about garter snakes, and I overcame my fear to the point where I was happy to handle the resident snake and introduce it to interested visitors. The experience made me more open to appreciating nature in all its forms. I’m grateful to my mom for arranging this volunteer opportunity and taking the time to make the weekly trips. I also appreciate the staff member who ended my nightmares!
You are a person of great influence and doing some great things for the world! If you could inspire a movement that would bring the greatest amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
If I could inspire a movement that would bring the greatest amount of good to the greatest number of people, it would be one that supports literacy. People who can read and write are better able to take control of their lives, escape poverty, and improve their health and safety. Literacy helps girls and women in developing nations grow more independent and realize better futures. Literacy skills allow people to earn higher incomes, make them more likely to stay in school, and less likely to depend on government aid. Literacy provides the quickest path to learning and makes it easier to solve problems, manage finances, get job training, and access opportunities to support oneself.
Reading grows empathy, understanding, critical thinking, and communication skills. Literature helps us understand our experiences and improves coping skills, supporting emotional growth and social resilience. Nonfiction can give us a greater understanding of our world, multiple points of view, historic perspective, and a better grasp of current challenges. While literacy is clearly tied to productivity, the entertainment value found in books — both fiction and nonfiction — also nourishes mental health and contributes to happiness. Books provide important perspectives that we can apply to our own interactions and experiences.
In addition to its practical uses, writing also has the capacity to bring pleasure. It is therapeutic to explore your feelings through the written word, satisfying to record your personal experiences, exciting to use your imagination to create original written works, and fun to communicate through letters, social media, or other approaches. Literacy initiatives offer a huge opportunity to bring the greatest amount of good to the greatest number of people.
Do you have a favorite life lesson quote? Can you tell us how that was relevant to you in your own life?
In my journey to getting published, I read these lines by Martin P. Levin: “Talent alone is not enough. Sometimes the tenacious get there faster than those with more talent and less tenacity” in Be Your Own Literary Agent: The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Getting Published (Ten Speed Press). These words delivered the perfect mix of reassurance and inspiration I needed as I first navigated the craft of writing and the business of publishing. I didn’t know if I had talent, but I did know I had the energy and motivation to try, and try, and try. No matter what goal I’m pursuing, I appreciate the perspective that success is tied to tenacity, and that talent grows with practice and perseverance.
What is the best way for people to continue to follow your work online?
Visit my websites:
www.joanmariegalat.com — books and school visits
www.moondotmedia.com — public speaking, corporate training, and freelance writing/editing
Look for me on social media:
Instagram: @jmgalat
Twitter: @joanmariegalat
Facebook: @joanmariegalat
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joanmgalat
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joangalat/
This was so inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Interview with author Joan Marie Galat
Known as the “Star Lady,” thanks to her interest in astronomy and outer space, Joan Marie Galat is an award winning and bestselling author of more than 25 books for kids, including the Dot to Dot in the Sky series, which combines the science of the night sky with the ancient myths that give the constellations, planets, and other night sky phenomena their names.
Joan has also written extensively on such topics as light pollution, ecology, volcanoes, nature and wildlife, printmaking, cultural traditions and history as well as a middle-grade novel, Mortimer: Rat Race to Space, and a biography on human rights activist Malala Yousafzai. Her latest book, Make Your Mark, Make A Difference: A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet, is a Junior Literary Guild selection and has been lauded by Kirkus as “a hands-on, practical, wide-ranging and information-packed handbook for budding activists.” It launches on February 13, 2024 from Beyond Words/Aladdin.
And now, without further ado…
Joan Marie Galat: The Interview
MR: Hi, Joan! Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files. We’re so happy to have you with us!
JMG: I’m delighted to spend this time with you!
MR: As stated in the intro, Make Your Mark, Make A Difference is a practical guide for kids who want to promote and stand up for issues that matter to them, whether it’s the environment, human rights, animal welfare, gun violence, and more. What inspired you to write this book, and why is the subject of social activism important to you?
JMG: The inspiration for this book came from my daughter after she became aware of the plight of child soldiers. She was ten years old when she learned that children in war-torn countries–her age and even younger–were being forced to carry and use guns. She wanted to help kids escape this tragedy, but it was difficult to determine how to help faraway children trapped in such a complicated situation. Since then, I became drawn to news about the many ways children, as well as adults, can find ways to tackle the causes they believe in. You might say this was early research for a book I didn’t yet know I’d write!
Fair Is Fair
JMG: Social activism is important to me because I value fairness. Activism delivers the opportunity to live one’s principles. It is not enough to hold beliefs for a better world; we must live our convictions and demonstrate the courage to lead change. Engaging this way inspires others to demonstrate their values and participate, too. My experience with my daughter showed me that while kids want to help, working out the best way can be tricky. I hope to make it easier for the compassionate kids who also care about people, animals, and the planet.
Support for the Reluctant Activist
MR: As you alluded to, engaging in social activism can feel daunting, particularly for kids who typically have limited access to power and resources. With this in mind, what would you say to a child who wants to get involved in a specific cause but feels reluctant or anxious to do so?
JMG: Reluctance sometimes stems from the belief that a problem must be fully solved, or change must be monumental, for it to matter. In fact, small steps can lead to meaningful and significant change. My advice for the child who feels reluctant or anxious is to look at the problem and find a way to make one part of it smaller. For example, you might find it difficult to make sure every child in your community has school supplies, but you might be able to make sure every student in your class has what is needed.
One of the best ways to reduce the anxiety that can come from doing things you’ve never done before is to set goals that are specific and achievable. Small or large, a success is a success, and making a difference in a smaller way will build the confidence and expertise needed to widen that circle of helping.
(For a list of MG books from the Mixed-Up archives that delve into the issues of activism, protest, and reform, click here.)
Social Activism: Let’s Get Started
MR: As a follow-up, what are five simple things a budding activist can do to get started?
JMG:
Make a poster that highlights a few key points about an issue and includes a specific request for action. Place the poster where your audience will see it.
Volunteer with a nonprofit organization, such as a shelter that needs help caring for animals, or take part in an event, such as a roadside cleanup. Bring a friend and double your impact!
Help victims of bullying feel less isolated. Greet them by name when you cross paths. Issue an invitation to join you in an activity.
Help the climate by preventing food waste. Take only the portion you will eat, and let others know how reducing the energy needed to produce and transport food helps the environment.
Use recycling to create a sculpture that makes a statement about a cause that is important to you. Include a card with a title and explanation. Ask your school or public library to display your masterpiece.
Issues that Matter Most
MR: While researching the book, which social issues resonated most deeply with kids? On the flip side, which issues seem to be getting the short end of the stick?
JMG: Kids truly care about a diverse swath of problems. They are taking action to tackle everything from poverty, education, and gun violence to equality, the environment, and climate change. Social issues relating to animals, however, particularly resonate. Whether the issue is puppy mills, endangered species, habitat loss, wildlife in captivity, or other topic, children and teens want to see animals treated better.
Some concerns, however, are not on the average child’s radar. I’m thinking of outer-space issues—the threat of space becoming militarized, the risk of asteroids striking Earth, and the hazards of space junk. Make Your Mark, Make a Difference includes a full chapter on concerns about space. I hope it will help grow the understanding that the world above is an extension of our environment, and that it must be protected, managed, and explored for the benefit of all humankind, as promoted by the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
Profiles in Courage
MR: Profiles of young social activists are included in the book, including Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani Nobel Prize-winner who stood up to the Taliban to defend girls’ education (and whose biography you wrote in 2020); Bana Alabed, a Syrian girl who wrote about the horrors she witnessed in war-torn Aleppo; and Alex Scott, who was diagnosed with cancer and started a lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer. (Sadly, Alex died in 2004, but Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, the non-profit that continues the work Alex started, has raised more than $250 million.) Besides finding inspiration in other kids’ stories, what are you hoping readers will take away from these profiles?
JMG: Along with providing inspiration, I wanted young readers to know that age need not deter them from tackling issues they care about. I also hope readers will discover that there are countless approaches to making a difference, and that they should choose the style that best fits with their personalities, interests, and circumstances. Activism can be loud, but it can also be quiet. Soft approaches, such as illuminating a cause through art, can be meaningful and effective. My wish is that readers grow comfortable with the idea that they can be themselves as they explore the best ways to make change.
Joan’s Causes
MR: Speaking of activism, which issues matter most to you on a personal level?
JMG: Thanks for asking! I do have a few fixations. Literacy and the environment are two big ones. The abilities to read and write are tied to so many issues including poverty, gender equality, employability, health, and safety. Reading makes it easier to solve problems, manage finances, and get job training. It builds responsibility, empathy, and creativity. It also enriches quality of life. My own experience reflects this. The nonfiction books I read as a child reflect the interests I still enjoy today, as well as the subjects I explore in my own writing. I want everyone to experience the benefits and pleasures!
And Now, the Environment…
JMG: I love to spend time outdoors and appreciate natural landscapes. I’ve been interested in wildlife and conservation since childhood, and I often use my writing to promote science, especially my love of nature and the night sky. Writing Make Your Mark, Make a Difference allowed me to spotlight concerns for animal welfare and the environment.
Author visits at schools, libraries, and other venues give me the opportunity to promote literacy and science. My message to kids is that there is a special book for every child, and that it is not enough to know how to read; you must actually do it. And if you do, you might find that reading leads to new interests and even adventure.
Joan’s Personal Shout-outs
JMG: My shout-outs are for Room to Read, which promotes literacy and gender equality, DarkSky International, which works to restore the night environment and protect people and animals from the negative effects of light pollution, and Plant-for-the-Planet, which leads a movement to plant trees and fight the climate crisis. You can learn more about their work in Make Your Mark, Make a Difference.
Secret to Success
MR: You’re an incredibly prolific writer, Joan, with more than 25 books under your belt. What’s the secret sauce to your success? Also, what are the biggest challenges when it comes to writing? The greatest rewards?
JMG: My secret recipe is to write about topics I’m passionate about. If I’m going to spend months or longer on a project, my heart and attention must be fully engaged. When I discover amazing people, compelling facts, and irresistible stories, I want others to feel the same interest and excitement I feel. Writing about talking about books gives me the opportunity to engage with others on the themes that compel me.
The biggest challenge is that it’s necessary to spend time on the administration of life—like paying bills and buying socks—when I’d rather be writing. The greatest reward is learning how my books impact readers. I also appreciate the new places I’ve been able to visit to share my book from Canada’s Arctic Circle to South Korea and Australia. Great perks!
Writing Process: It’s for the Birds
MR: What is your writing process like? Do you have a daily routine or does it vary from day to day? Also, do you have any special pre-writing rituals?
JMG: My pre-writing ritual is to feed Peekaboo and Lollipop, the two budgies sharing my office. If I delay, they land on my computer screen or my head, which is as distracting as you might imagine. (Note: I’ve not yet needed to wash my hair as a result of serving as a landing pad.) Once everyone is fed, my daily routine is to turn to yesterday’s writing and revise it. It’s a relaxing warm-up that eases me toward getting creative with the new content I want to produce.
I set specific word-count goals. If a book is meant to be “x” number of words and I’m writing to a deadline, I’ll calculate how long that should take and add a healthy buffer to allow for life’s interruptions, as well as multiple passes. No decent book was ever written just once! When a day’s writing is going well, I continue beyond my goal. This helps me meet my weekly quota early and frees up time for my end-of-week reward—an afternoon swim and visit with my author buddies.
(For a video of Joan’s best writing tips, click here.)
Author on Stilts!
MR: Rumor has it that you have another talent besides writing: walking on stilts. Care to elaborate?
JMG: It all started with reading Juggling for the Complete Klutz, which led to taking my children to the annual Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. The stiltwalkers amazed me. How could they stay balanced on those tiny points? Years later, I read a story about the National Stiltwalkers of Canada in the Edmonton Journal. It said anyone could come and try it out. That’s all I needed to know. I found my balance and became a costumed stiltwalker at festivals and events, including a young authors conference. Upon request, I bring my stilts to author visits, and put them on for the Q & A portion. I make sure my student audience knows that I never would have acquired the skills of juggling and stiltwalking if I didn’t read. This is how I make my point: reading leads to new adventure!
Next Up…
MR: What are you working on now, Joan? Enquiring Mixed-Up readers want to know!
JMG: I’m immersed in writing captions and alternate text for the photos in my next middle grade release—Wildlife Crossings: Giving Animals the Right of Way (Orca Book Publishers). Roads provide essential human benefits, but they have a negative impact on animals, particularly those that need to cross roads to reach habitat. This book explores how roads impact wildlife, and shares innovative solutions from smart roads that can help reduce roadkill to landscaped overpasses and underpasses that help reconnect animal populations and boost biodiversity. Wildlife Crossings will be in bookstores October 15, 2024.
And finally, no MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so…
Preferred snack? Chocolate! My current love is chili-flavored chocolate.
Favorite planet? I’m torn between Jupiter and Saturn. I love how I can see four of Jupiter’s moons with binoculars, but Saturn’s rings make me gasp in awe.
Favorite book? I couldn’t possibly pick!
Zombie apocalypse: Yea or nay? Nope, not worried.
Superpower? I can zip through a crowd without touching anyone.
Favorite place on earth? On or near water. Give me waves.
If you were stranded on a desert island with only three things, what would they be? A dictionary, a solar refrigerator that self-replenishes with chocolate and other necessities, and a satellite telephone.
MR: Thank you for chatting with us, Joan. It was a pleasure, and I’m sure MUF readerswill agree!
JMG: Thanks for all the great questions. I might need to think more about that desert island.
Bio
Although she started making books at the age of nine, Joan Marie Galat wasn’t published until she was 12 years old, when she became a paid weekly newspaper columnist. Today she is the award-winning author of more than 25 books, with translations in eight languages. Recent titles include Mortimer: Rat Race to Space (DCB), Absolute Expert: Space (National Geographic Kids), Stars (Scholastic), and The Story of Malala Yousafzai (Rockridge Press).
Joan shares her love of the stars in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series which combines the science of the night sky with the ancient myths that give constellations and planets their names. Her first title, Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Stars, became a best seller within six weeks of its release. As well as astronomy and mythology, Joan’s books for children explore light pollution, ecology, nature, volcanoes, wildlife, engineering, printmaking, cultural traditions, and history. Her titles include both fiction and non-fiction, often with a focus on STEM or STEAM topics.
A prolific writer and relentless promoter of reading, Joan loves to use storytelling to connect with audiences. Speaking engagements have taken Joan across Canada, as well as to international events such as the United Nations Environment Programme in Seoul, South Korea (2016); the International Dark-Sky Conference in Snowbird, USA (2018), and an international book fair in Seoul (2005), where she presented Korean translations of her books. In Australia (2019), Joan spoke to child, family, and adult audiences. Closer to home, she has been part of the Jasper Dark Sky Festival (2015) and toured at schools and libraries across Canada. She is the 2018 recipient of the Martha Weston Grant, awarded annually to one member (worldwide) of the USA based Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Joan operates MoonDot Media, a communications business offering writing and editing solutions in broadcast, print, and multi-media. Her freelance jobs have encompassed writing radio and video scripts, a cartoon, magazine articles, exhibit text, speechwriting, grant applications, annual reports, and other projects. She also provides corporate training and public workshops, as well as consults for writers on query letters, manuscripts, and the submission process. Follow Joan on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and X, and find her on Moondotmedia and on her website. Oh, and if you’d like to follow Joan’s budgies, Peekaboo and Lollipop, they’re on X, too! (But only because it was formerly called Twitter! 😀)
Joan Marie Galat
As a child, Joan Marie Galat spent hours gazing up at the night sky from snow forts and through car windows on long road trips. She shares her love of the stars in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series, which combines the science of the night sky with the ancient myths that give the constellations and planets their names.
Joan's very first writing job sprung from an honourable mention received for entering a poetry contest when she was 12. This led to a weekly question and answer bird column for a weekly newspaper. After graduating from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Biological Sciences, Ecology, Joan worked as a naturalist and eventually in radio, becoming an announcer, as well as a news and copy writer. Joan eventually turned to writing books and taking on freelance writing and editing projects.
Today Joan operates MoonDot Media—a communications business offering writing solutions in broadcast, print, and multi-media. As well as teaching writing and delivering keynote talks, she edits a quarterly magazine and has worked on projects that have included CBC Radio features and speechwriting, as well as writing exhibit text, web content, and video scripts.
Joan finds storytelling an ideal way to lure others into sharing her interest in astronomy. A frequent visitor to schools and libraries, Joan delights audiences with presentations that include juggling star-shaped beanbags to illustrate the concept of falling stars! Three of her books have been translated, leading to travel to Korea to share stories of the constellations, planets, and Moon.
The long winter nights and big prairie sky are ideal for stargazing but Joan also enjoys other outdoor pastimes such as kayaking, swimming, nature walks, and day trips—leading to her book: Day Trips From Edmonton. A constant reader, with a fascination in oral and written storytelling, Joan writes from Parkland County, near Edmonton.
Visit Joan's web site at www.joangalat.com.
Invite Joan to speak at your school, library, or event. Watch Joan's speaker demo.
Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid's Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet. By Joan Marie Galat. Feb. 2024. 352p. illus. Aladdin/Beyond Words, $22.99 (9781582708454); paper, $13.99 (9781582708447). Gr. 4-8. 303.4
This is one of those subversive titles that attempts to capture the minds of impressionable young people and turn them into lifelong activists. All necessary ingredients are provided: cheerful exhortations to get involved, upbeat assurances that everyone can contribute toward a better future, step-by-step directions on how to become effective advocates, and introductions to overarching issues (the environment, animal rights, human rights, outer space). There are profiles of young activists and introductions to kid-accessible grassroots movements, organizations, and nonprofits. Case studies that will resonate with tweens act as blueprints for action and document successes; an entire chapter is devoted to showing how different kinds of art can bring about change. Pages are filled with line drawings and graphics, lists, quizzes, prompts, and multiple reoccurring inserts ("Be the Change!" "One Thing You Can Do Now," "Spread the Word"). Other helpful features include embedded vocabulary definitions and detailed chapter notes. This inspiring manual teems with realistic and creative suggestions that will appeal to all kinds of potential activists and hopefully encourage our next generation of changemakers.--Kathleen McBroom
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Source Citation
Source Citation
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McBroom, Kathleen. "Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid's Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet." Booklist, vol. 120, no. 12, 15 Feb. 2024, p. 38. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A783436425/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a6723d99. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Galat, Joan Marie MAKE YOUR MARK, MAKE A DIFFERENCE Beyond Words/Aladdin (Children's None) $22.99 2, 13 ISBN: 9781582708454
A guide to recognizing and fighting many different kinds of injustice.
The first section, "Examine Your World," gets readers to identify problems (starting with their homes, schools, and communities) and then to set specific, attainable goals and work toward solutions. Using an encouraging tone, Galat explains the concepts of human rights and activism, summarizing a slew of contemporary issues and offering condensed accounts of individual and group efforts with some brief, positive examples from around the world showing varied types of approaches. The case studies mostly highlight young people tackling problems, including some well-known names such as Malala Yousafzai and Mari Copeny. The middle sections examine in greater depth six broad areas for action: animals, the environment, space exploration, peace, equality, and poverty. The final section, "Change Is Everywhere," focuses on engaging in activism through the arts and on remaining positive and persistent while being realistic about the pace of progress. Some vocabulary is defined in the text, including terms such as discrimination and molestation. Text boxes introduce topics for conversation and suggest immediate actions readers can take (such as making pamphlets or properly disposing of old medications), thus helping readers clarify their ideas, raise funds, and enlist others. The text, which is punctuated with stock art, embodies the clear communication skills the author endorses and is leavened with subtle humor. The book explains and encourages the many life skills and qualities involved in effective activism, such as research, critical thinking, organization, record-keeping, and empathy.
A hands-on, practical, wide-ranging, and information-packed handbook for budding activists. (source notes) (Nonfiction. 10-16)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Galat, Joan Marie: MAKE YOUR MARK, MAKE A DIFFERENCE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A774415141/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=02b98426. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Galat, Joan Marie TOO MUCH TRASH Orca (Children's None) $21.95 5, 16 ISBN: 9781459831827
Waste out of place is both ugly and hazardous, but kids can combat it.
How does litter hurt animals? How is this problem being tackled? How can I help? Galat sets out to answer these questions clearly and convincingly. She explains how manufactured or natural discards can produce pollution and contribute to climate change. Encountering our refuse--whether organic, processed, or inedible (metal, plastic, latex, medical masks, and other litter)--can be toxic, injurious, habituating, and disease-promoting for wildlife. Pets' uncollected waste poisons waterways, as does roadside debris. And cleaning up can be expensive. But Galat focuses throughout on solutions, often spotlighting young activists. Captions and sidebars offer information and practical steps. "True or false?" challenges will engage readers. Much of the text advocates prevention, like avoiding plastics and not burying or burning trash. One chapter is devoted to local and global anti-trash efforts by kids, by governments, and by organizations as well as via several mechanical inventions. While asking consumers to research products' specific type of biodegradability is probably not as constructive as demanding better regulation and labeling, this suggestion is the rare exception in a book that champions effective action. Vibrant color photos (of both animals and diverse people) and lively design layouts with discrete, digestible bits of text make the book accessible and inspiring.
Showing how refuse harms humans and other animals, this work should move readers to act. (resources, glossary, index) (Illustrated nonfiction. 9-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Galat, Joan Marie: TOO MUCH TRASH." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A735118045/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a09b2781. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Galat, Joan Marie MORTIMER DCB (Children's None) $13.95 9, 20 ISBN: 978-1-77086-653-9
Getting to the International Space Station is only the first hurdle in a rodent's race to space.
Mortimer, a discarded pet, is a lab rat in Houston at the Johnson Space Center. He enjoys his life, observing AsCans (astronaut candidates) and hanging out with his friends, especially Celeste. However, he's upset that humans don't realize how great rats are, and he'd love a chance to visit the space station and maybe prove rats are better suited to colonize Mars when the humans finally have the technology to make the trip. Mortimer is thrilled when he learns that the rat with the fastest maze time will get a spot on the space station, and with only a little cheating and a little luck, he's chosen to go. Mortimer keeps a journal (hidden in his bedding), and when he steals a camera from a reporter, he's ready to pursue his Grand Plan proving rats are more suited to space by posting video evidence on YouTube. Executing his plan is no easy task even with the help of Boris the cosmorat, who was born in space. The juxtaposition of myriad space facts and rat facts with many ludicrous and physically impossible feats of rat sneakiness makes for a flawed novel. No suspension of disbelief is springy enough to allow for the goings-on in nonfiction writer Galat's first attempt at fiction.
A potential option for nonfiction fans hoping to dip a toe into fiction. (Fiction. 7-10)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Galat, Joan Marie: MORTIMER." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Sept. 2022, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A715353013/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=dfc809c8. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Stories in the Clouds
Joan Marie Galat, author
Georgia Graham, illustrator
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
9781770502451 $16.95 www.fitzhenry.ca
"Stories in Clouds: Weather Science and Mythology from Around the World" is a collection of traditional lore, stories and myths, about weather, seasons, variety, prediction practices, and more. Stories and sources include; How Raven Brought the Sun (Tlingit), Calabash of the Winds (Hawaiian), The Thunder God (Chinese), The Spider Weaver (Japanese), How Glooscap Found Summer (Mi'kmaq/Wabanaki), Father Frost (Russian), and How the Fog Came (Inuit). Each story is embellished by striking pastel illustrations of the principals. Attractive and informative sidebars highlight additional related knowledge and facts about weather, along with related bits of trivia and weather-related traditions. A strong example is the Mi'kmaq story of How Glooscap Found Summer. Weary of a never ending winter, the Wabenaki tribe master Glooscap, decided to go to the home of the Ice King, to ask him to move further north. Unfortunately Glooscap fell asleep in the home of the Ice King and his people suffered from 6 months more of winter while he slept. He was awakened by a loon named Tatler, the tale bearer, who told Glooscap of a land to the South where it was always warm and sunny. with the help of a whale and other animals, Glooscap traveled to the South Land and met the queen of Summer, who was persuaded by Glooscap to help him persuade the Ice King to retreat to the North. Where the Summer Queen went, the land warmed and the air warmed and ice melted. this made the Ice King sad, but the Queen of Summer took pity on him. Glooscap proposed a compromise: the Ice King would go farther north for six months of the year while the Summer Queen warmed the land of the Wabenaki, then at the end of six months, the Ice King would return. The Wabenaki people would then have a time to work and a time to have pleasure, and they would not become lazy. Everyone agreed, and all were grateful to have the gift of seasons. All these weather and climate related traditional stories help provide a background of theoretical explanation for weather phenomena experienced by earth dwellers far and wide. Supplemented by factual descriptions of weather phenomena and causes, "Stories in the Clouds" does a credible job of weaving a tapestry of weather knowledge, traditional and modern, into a rich heritage for today's students. "Stories in the Clouds" is appropriate for students with reading skills of grade 4 and up, age 9 years and up.
Please Note: Illustration(s) are not available due to copyright restrictions.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/index.htm
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Stories in the Clouds." Children's Bookwatch, June 2019. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A593028967/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e7156495. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Galat, Joan Marie. Dark Matters: Nature's Reaction to Light Pollution. Red Deer Press, July 2018. 70p. $19.95. 978-0-88995515-8. Photos.
2Q * 2P * J
Darkness is crucial to the survival of many plant and animal species. Unfortunately, humans have been creating increasing amounts of light pollution through the use of cars, streetlamps, and building lighting, which is harming the natural world. Galat uses personal anecdotes from her childhood, as well as scientific facts, to illustrate how mammals, birds, bugs, fish, and plants are being affected by light pollution. There is also a section with suggestions on how readers can reduce their own light usage to better help all species thrive.
While this book presents solid information about light pollution and its effect on the natural world, the lengthy personal anecdotes are distracting and often overwhelm the science, making this an ineffective resource for research. Many pages of the book are decorated with photographs of the night sky, which is visually arresting upon first glance but makes the text difficult to read. While the topic is unique and may interest animal lovers and budding environmentalists, the disjointed presentation of the information may be a turn off to potential readers. This book is recommended for libraries with a high demand for scientific nonfiction.
--Jennifer Staller.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
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Staller, Jennifer. "Galat, Joan Marie. Dark Matters: Nature's Reaction to Light Pollution." Voice of Youth Advocates, vol. 41, no. 3, Aug. 2018, p. 79. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A551167910/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=77d45376. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Galat, Joan Marie DARK MATTERS Red Deer Press (Children's Informational) $19.95 9, 1 ISBN: 978-0-88995-515-8
Reflections on the ways that artificial light upsets patterns and behaviors in the natural world. Galat (Stories of the Aurora,2016, etc.) spins childhood memories into semifictive reminiscences. Between recalling lying on her back in the snow at 10 to trace the Big Dipper and describing links between light pollution and several environmental issues as a grown-up naturalist, the author recalls camping trips and other excursions at various ages. These offer, at least tangentially, insights into how artificial lighting could affect nocturnal insects, sea turtle hatchlings, bats, and migratory birds, as well as the general hunting, mating, and nesting behaviors of animals. She closes, after a quick mention of scotobiology (the study of life in darkness), with a plea to turn off the lights whenever possible. Though she does not support this general appeal with specific practices or, for that matter, source notes for her information, she does offer a list of internet search terms for readers who want to explore the topic further. Despite illustrations that range from a close-up of a road-kill raccoon to pointless filler and passages that, paradoxically, are hard to read except in bright light because they're printed over speckled fields of stars, this outing covers a topic that should be of interest to young stargazers and scotobiologists alike. Enlightening, if not always easily legible, ruminations on the value of being in the dark. (Nonfiction. 10-13)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Galat, Joan Marie: DARK MATTERS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2017. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A495427810/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ee7c2294. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Stories of the Aurora
By Joan Marie Galat
Illustr. Lorna Bennett
Whitecap Books; ages 9-13
Both entertaining and educational, this book begins with a description of the mysterious and eerie lights that sometimes undulate across the night sky near the earth's magnetic poles. Though our ancestors all had mythic explanations for the aurora, science can help us understand how a magnetic storm on the sun blows off plasma particles that race outwards and, a few days later, interact with the magnetic field of our planet. When the particles collide with oxygen or other elements in the high atmosphere, the molecules release light.
In this book, beautiful illustrations accompany folklore about the aurora from many different cultures. Earlier civilizations believed that events in the sky were generated by the spirit world and had an immediate effect on human affairs. For some, ancestor spirits or the souls of dead soldiers were appearing, while for others the lovely glowing curtains marked the birth of a child. In ancient China, the awesome sky show predicted significant events.
The northern peoples all had stories to explain the lights. We learn that the Sammi, or Lapps, the Norse, or Vikings, and the many tribes of the Arctic and Canadian north--all had colorful stories, legends, and superstitions. We discover the longest and best tales from the Norse, the Greeks, and from the Algonquin, Micmac, and Inuit tribes of North America. The final chapter is on how and when you can look for auroras.
--Barbara Shaw, educator, Oregon
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Caddo Gap Press
http://www.caddogap.com
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Shaw, Barbara. "Stories of the Aurora." Multicultural Education, vol. 24, no. 3-4, spring-summer 2017, p. 48. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A519723868/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=14bd401f. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Stories of the Aurora: Dot to Dot in the Sky series
Joan Marie Galat, author
Lorna Bennett, illustrator
Whitecap Books
314 Cordova Street, #210, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1E8, Canada
9781770502109, $16.95, www.whitecap.ca
"Stories of the Aurora" provides a dual approach to the great mystery in Northern and Southern night skies called the greatest light show on earth. First, the scientific approach is explored with explanations of the aurora's creation from particles from the Sun entering the Earth's magnetic field and colliding with gas in the Earth's atmosphere. The resulting magnificent light show, visible in both Northern and Southern hemispheres, is called aurora borealis in the north and aurora australis in the south. In addition to the summary of scientific background on the aurora, there is a rich multicultural tradition of stories, tales, or myth and folklore about the aurora from many cultural sources around the planet Earth. many and varied are the colorful interpretations of the dancing, different colored lights from Inuit, Estonian, Latvian, Russian, Finn, Chinese, and other Aboriginal cultural sources. Some of the interesting names given to the aurora by different peoples include: blood rain (Greek), Buddha lights (Ceylon), the Light You Can Hear (Sami), Dancing Goats (French), the Light of the Northern Dancers and Sacred Cloud (Plains tribes), and more. More objective information about the auroras is presented alongside traditional cultural ways of regarding different aspects of the aurora phenomena. Special chapters are devoted to the aurora as fire, aurora dancers, or auroral movement. Sky Spirits, an Inuit tale, deals with the perceived significance of auroral sound. Further views of aurora phenomena are presented in Skirnir's Journey (Norse) about views from outer space, the Valkyries (Norse), Eos' Wish (Greek) about forecasting auroras, the Rainbow Belt (Wabanaki/Algonquin) about environmental effects, and the Land of Eternal Memory (Mi'kmaq/French Canadian), about magnetic storms. "Stories of the Auroras" closes with tips and facts about where and when to search for auroras, and the final chapter recaps the theme of enjoying the aurora through facts and fiction, which showcases both the marvelous auroras themselves and human wonder at their marvelous existence. Written for the understanding of young readers ages 9-13, "Stories of the Aurora" also contains colored full page illustrations to highlight individual chapters and aurora shows, adding further hand created visual effects. A final glossary of terms from "atom" to "watt" completes this intriguing title from the series titled "Dot to Dot in the Sky."
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/index.htm
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"Stories of the Aurora: Dot to Dot in the Sky series." Children's Bookwatch, Feb. 2017. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A485971371/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6334ffee. Accessed 14 June 2024.
GALAT, Joan Marie
Branching Out: How Trees are Part of Our World [E]
OwlKids Books. 2014. 64p. Illus. Gr. 3-6. 978-1-77147-082-7. Pbk. $13.95
Branching Out: How Trees are Part of Our World is a beautiful, well-organized book about trees from around the world. It is an easy-to-use information book. The book contains a table of contents, index, glossary, and an excellent chapter entitled "How to use this book.' This chapter highlights the icons, boxes and sidebars used in each chapter of the eleven trees studied in this book; leaf silhouette, common name, (Latin name), map of native range, average height, scale, a closer look (distinguishing features of the trees ), tree fact, and 'when you plant a tree'. As well as these informative sidebars listed above, each four page spread contains a detailed photograph of the tree showing its unique characteristics, a page of written description and sub-headings of how and why people and animals need that chapter's tree, as well as accompanying photographs of some of the animals in the tree's habitat.
The first chapters of the book address the question 'why you need trees' from the practical to the inspirational, define global warming, and classify the basic parts of the trees and respective purposes of each part.
Galat provides the reader with a global perspective on trees, habitat, animals, economy, conservation, and culture. The variety of trees chosen from around the world provides interesting facts such as a large baobab tree can hold up to 120,000 litres of water and the tall-stilted mangrove grows air-breathing prop roots to adapt to saltwater tides and airless soil.
This book is highly recommended for school and public libraries. The text is well written and the photographs chosen are clear and thought provoking. It is a good resource in the classroom for learning units on trees, nature, conservation. and ecology.
Thematic Links: Trees; Ecology; Habitats; Conservation
[E] Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
[G] Good, even great at times, generally useful!
[A] Average, all right, has its applications
[P] Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 Resource Links
http://www.atcl.ca
Source Citation
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Reilly, Laura. "Galat, Joan Marie: Branching Out: How Trees are Part of Our World." Resource Links, vol. 20, no. 2, Dec. 2014, p. 25. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A404446188/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5d7e59ba. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Galat, Joan Marie BRANCHING OUT Owlkids Books (Children's Nonfiction) $13.95 10, 15 ISBN: 978-1-77147-049-0
Trees matter in our world. From the red maples of North America to the storied cedar of Lebanon, Galat has chosen 11 species from around the world to illustrate the place of trees in human and animal lives. In four opening chapters, the author explains why the world needs trees in general and especially in a time of global warming, defines tree parts, and explains the organization and useful features of each four-page section that follows. Photographs of trees, tree parts and animals, as well as maps and drawings, help readers picture each species. Examples include deciduous trees like the hardy downy birch and coniferous trees such as Scotch pines, familiar as Christmas trees. Epiphytic banyan seedlings send roots from the air to the ground; the roots of tall stilted mangroves shield shorelines. Without killing the tree, the inside of a baobab can be hollowed out and the bark of the cork oak harvested. Pau brasil wood makes a red dye; kapok, from silk cotton pods, fills life preservers; camphor laurel leaves release a menthol scent used to treat chest colds. The author provides no sources for her wide-ranging and fascinating information but does thank a subject expert. In conclusion, she encourages readers to go plant some trees themselves. An informative introduction for middle-grade readers, especially useful in schools. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction.8-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Galat, Joan Marie: BRANCHING OUT." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Sept. 2014. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A382317150/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6a076e2e. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Galat, Joan Marie THE DISCOVERY OF LONGITUDE Pelican (Children's Picture Books) $16.99 11, 1 ISBN: 978-1-4556-1637-4
A glancing shot at the story of inventing a watch to compute longitude aboard the great sailing ships. Only 300 years ago it was impossible to accurately compute longitude. As Galat clearly explains, one could find latitude using a sextant and direction using a compass, but longitude required a clock. Actually, two clocks: one telling the time at the prime meridian and another telling the shipboard time. The British government's Board of Longitude offered a reward equal to $3 million in today's currency to the inventor who could build such a clock, one that could thwart the pendulum problem and the degradation of a timepiece at the mercy of seawater spray. Enter John Harrison, carpenter and clockmaker, who toiled for over 40 years to make just such a clock and who got shafted by the board for his troubles (the king finally got him paid). Galat tells the story with verve and historical accuracy to a point, but she falls short of explaining how Harrison's clock worked, how it overcame the conditions and how captains--this one looking suspiciously like Russell Crowe--knew when to set the clock forward or backward, all of which are the crux of the tale. Lowe's artwork is handsome, though his tendency to place precise objects in the foreground against blurry backgrounds is not altogether successful (perhaps he is reaching for a metaphor). A hearty tale, but the workings of longitude's conqueror remain elusive. (Informational picture book. 8-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2012 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Galat, Joan Marie: THE DISCOVERY OF LONGITUDE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2012. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A305185014/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=60dba7ab. Accessed 14 June 2024.
GALAT, Joan Marie. The Discovery of Longitude. illus. by Wes Lowe. 32p. chron, diags. Pelican. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4556-1637-4; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4556-1638-1.
Gr 3-6--It is unclear who the target audience is for this picture-book history of the invention of the ship's clock. The text explains the difficulties of keeping accurate time on a ship and why it was essential. Unlike Louise Borden's Sea Clocks: The Story of Longitude (S & S, 2004), there is no biographical context given to inventor John Harrison's life and few pages are devoted to his work inventing and experimenting with clocks. The vague time line of Harrison's efforts at the end is more detailed than the text itself. There are some informative diagrams, but the lack of a glossary, index, or "detailed map of the world in the 1700s"--as promised on the book jacket--reduce the book's research value. It is unlikely that a middle-grade student would select this book voluntarily, though the relatively simple sentences, with unfamiliar words defined in context, and short paragraphs are conducive to independent reading. The strongest facet is the paintings of life at sea that appear on every page, but they are not enough to merit inclusion in most collections. Borden's book as well as Kathryn Lasky's The Man Who Made Time Travel (Farrar, 2003) are still the go-to titles on this topic.--Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public Library
Donsky, Rebecca Dash
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Donsky, Rebecca Dash. "Galat, Joan Marie. The Discovery of Longitude." School Library Journal, vol. 59, no. 4, Apr. 2013, p. 178. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A324757980/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=35488c1c. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
GALAT, Joan Marie
Dot to Dot in the Sky: Stories of the Moon
Illustrated by Lorna Bennett. Whitecap Books, 2004. 64p. Illus. Gr. 2-6. 1-55285-610-0. Pbk. $16.95
Did you know that "by studying and dating lunar rock samples, scientists discovered the moon is 4.6 billion years old. The moon is our closest neighbour and a natural satellite of Earth, held in orbit by the Earth's gravitational attraction." According to mythology, many cultures see a face in the moon, called "The Man in the Moon". It is often thought that the full moon has an effect on behaviour, thus our word lunatic comes from luna, the Latin word for moon.
For centuries people have gazed at the moon, attempting to solve its mysteries. Lacking the scientific knowledge we have today, ancient cultures created myths to explain the natural world around them. The moon, dominating the night sky, was bound to spark their imaginations as well as a longing to explore its surface.
In this third book in the Dot to Dot in the Sky Series, author Joan Galat has combined myths and legends from various lands and cultures with current facts and fascinating information about the moon. Interspersed among the myths are full pages with illustrations and information pertaining to the moon phases, lunar eclipses, moon exploration and observation. Smaller information boxes also appear giving moon facts, moon weather, moon geology and an informative explanation of gravity and tides. This appealing volume has attractive borders on each page, and each myth is introduced with a vivid, colourful full-page illustration. A table of contents is included listing both myths and moon facts. There is also an extensive glossary and index. The author's website contains additional astronomy links.
This book is highly recommended for an elementary school library collection.
Thematic Links: Science--Astronomy; Myths and Legends
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2005 Resource Links
http://www.atcl.ca
Source Citation
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Cutt, Carolyn. "Dot to Dot in the Sky: Stories of the Moon." Resource Links, vol. 10, no. 3, Feb. 2005, p. 17. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A130350385/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=138bb5bb. Accessed 14 June 2024.
Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
GALAT, Joan Marie
Dot to Dot in the Sky: Stories of the Moon
Illustrated by Lorna Bennett. Whitecap Books, 2004. 64p. Illus. Gr. 2-6. 1-55285-610-0. Pbk. $16.95
Did you know that "by studying and dating lunar rock samples, scientists discovered the moon is 4.6 billion years old. The moon is our closest neighbour and a natural satellite of Earth, held in orbit by the Earth's gravitational attraction." According to mythology, many cultures see a face in the moon, called "The Man in the Moon". It is often thought that the full moon has an effect on behaviour, thus our word lunatic comes from luna, the Latin word for moon.
For centuries people have gazed at the moon, attempting to solve its mysteries. Lacking the scientific knowledge we have today, ancient cultures created myths to explain the natural world around them. The moon, dominating the night sky, was bound to spark their imaginations as well as a longing to explore its surface.
In this third book in the Dot to Dot in the Sky Series, author Joan Galat has combined myths and legends from various lands and cultures with current facts and fascinating information about the moon. Interspersed among the myths are full pages with illustrations and information pertaining to the moon phases, lunar eclipses, moon exploration and observation. Smaller information boxes also appear giving moon facts, moon weather, moon geology and an informative explanation of gravity and tides. This appealing volume has attractive borders on each page, and each myth is introduced with a vivid, colourful full-page illustration. A table of contents is included listing both myths and moon facts. There is also an extensive glossary and index. The author's website contains additional astronomy links.
This book is highly recommended for an elementary school library collection.
Thematic Links: Science--Astronomy; Myths and Legends
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2005 Resource Links
http://www.atcl.ca
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Cutt, Carolyn. "Dot to Dot in the Sky: Stories of the Moon." Resource Links, vol. 10, no. 3, Feb. 2005, p. 17. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A130350385/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=138bb5bb. Accessed 14 June 2024.
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