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In Praise of Mystery
From U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón and Caldecott Honoree Peter Sà a transcendent picture book featuring the poem that will travel into space aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper.
As part of her tenure as U.S. poet laureate, Ada Limón has written “In Praise of Mystery,â€� which will be engraved on the Europa Clipper spacecraft that launches to Jupiter and its moons in October 2024. Published here as Limón’s debut picture book, this luminous poem is illustrated by celebrated and internationally renowned artist Peter SÃs.
In Praise of Mystery celebrates humankind’s endless curiosity, asks us what it means to explore beyond our known world, and shows how the unknown can reflect us back to ourselves.
As part of her tenure as U.S. poet laureate, Ada Limón has written “In Praise of Mystery,â€� which will be engraved on the Europa Clipper spacecraft that launches to Jupiter and its moons in October 2024. Published here as Limón’s debut picture book, this luminous poem is illustrated by celebrated and internationally renowned artist Peter SÃs.
In Praise of Mystery celebrates humankind’s endless curiosity, asks us what it means to explore beyond our known world, and shows how the unknown can reflect us back to ourselves.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2024
4 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Ada Limon
32Ìýbooks2,044ÌýfollowersAda Limón is the author of three books of poetry, Lucky Wreck, This Big Fake World, and Sharks in the Rivers. She received her Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from New York University. Limón has received fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center, and was one of the judges for the 2013 National Book Award in Poetry. She works as a creative writing instructor and a freelance writer while splitting her time between Lexington, Kentucky and Sonoma, California (with a great deal of New York in between). Her new book of poems, Bright Dead Things is forthcoming from Milkweed Editions in 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 10, 2024
How torn I am on this review! My quarrel is not with Ada Limón’s poem per se. She was U.S. poet laureate, after all, so the poem’s inspiring. The poem “In Praise of Mystery� will be heading into outer space aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper. Lyrical as it is, I’m not sure that aliens orbiting Jupiter will be able to understand “In Praise of Mystery.� I am sure that the target audience for this children’s picture book won’t have the least idea what the poem’s about. Maybe they’ll think it’s Encyclopedia Brown in poem form? Or maybe a plea for Earth to get a second moon? My guess is that the children will enjoy the illustrations by Peter See, who received a Caldecott Medal honor award, and ignore the words. I really don’t think there’s an actual audience for this picture book.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, W. W. Norton & Company and Norton Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, W. W. Norton & Company and Norton Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
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December 2, 2024NASA’s Europa Clipper left on October 14 of this year, headed toward Jupiter’s second moon, Europa. This is a children’s book that is made up of a single poem: In Praise of Mystery by Ada Limon. The poem was carved into the side of the Clipper, which is set to enter Jupiter’s orbit in 2030. The reason I didn’t just settle for reading the poem on the Library of Congress website is simple: Peter SÃs as illustrator.
September 15, 2024
Written for the upcoming space trip to Jupiter and engraved on the spacecraft Europa Clipper, this is a luminous poem about mystery and curiosity and exploration and our need for all three of these thing and our want of knowing what is beyond; it is really perfect for this upcoming trip.
Gorgeously illustrated, this whole book evokes wonder and excitement and everyone who reads it will be swept up in that excitement and I am sure will promote more interest in the upcoming space travel and encourage more reading about space and what we know and what we do not know.
Well done!!
Thank you to NetGalley, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, Caldecott Honoree Peter Sà - Illustrator and W,W, Norton & Company/Norton Young Readers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Gorgeously illustrated, this whole book evokes wonder and excitement and everyone who reads it will be swept up in that excitement and I am sure will promote more interest in the upcoming space travel and encourage more reading about space and what we know and what we do not know.
Well done!!
Thank you to NetGalley, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, Caldecott Honoree Peter Sà - Illustrator and W,W, Norton & Company/Norton Young Readers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2024
In Praise of Mystery is a lovely poem accompanied by the most wonderful illustrations by Peter Sis. It makes a great book to use in class or as a bedtime story for little explorers, dreamers, and wanderers.
December 2, 2024
Peter SÃs is one of my favorite Illustrators. I’m just beginning to know the poetry of Ada Limón. This is a special picture book and a fantastic collaboration.
March 28, 2025
A wonderful poem gorgeously illustrated. Imma need a copy of this. 💙
September 6, 2024
This is such a beautiful poem with an even cooler back story � it’s being sent into outer space! However, it doesn’t quite work as a children’s book. This could be great as an illustrated adult’s book � the illustrations are breathtaking, but the words are hard to make out amongst the artwork (although this may not be an issue in physical print). I could see a children’s book that centers on the writing process; characterizing Ada Limon and focusing on her heroism as a purveyor of the arts into a whole new realm (literally). This could spark inspirations in young artists and writers who are space-curious but don’t have the typical astronaut aspirations.
Thank you so much to the author/illustrator, Norton Young Readers and NetGalley for the eARC!
Thank you so much to the author/illustrator, Norton Young Readers and NetGalley for the eARC!
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November 22, 2024“We are creatures of constant awe, curious at beauty, at leaf and blossom, at grief and pleasure, sun and shadow.
And it is not darkness that unites us, not the cold distance of space, but the offering of each drop of rain, each rivulet, each pulse, each vein.�
Neat that Limon did a picture book! And it being engraved on a NASA spacecraft?! So cool.
However I do have to say that some of the words were hard to decipher/ could have been more visible with the illustrations. (Which were beautiful!)
And it is not darkness that unites us, not the cold distance of space, but the offering of each drop of rain, each rivulet, each pulse, each vein.�
Neat that Limon did a picture book! And it being engraved on a NASA spacecraft?! So cool.
However I do have to say that some of the words were hard to decipher/ could have been more visible with the illustrations. (Which were beautiful!)
January 30, 2025
What I love about the book is its goals and the temperament of the resulting, quietly didactic, very human artifact.
Like the poem itself, which is delivered a few lines at a time with the illustrations (the entire poem is also reproduced on a single page at the end), the book is an explicit attempt to connect the science and technology of space exploration with human aspirations and imagination. Most adult readers don't achieve this fusion in their reading diet. Nor are there many writers who attempt it. From my reading of her work, it's not a sweet spot for Limon's own work, either.
So why attempt this with children, who will have had even more limited exposure to these notions? And is it worth the cost of adding it to a shelf likely containing more accessible children's books?
Yes, and here's why.
1. Because it matters. It matters to try to fuse these views, and to encourage it in children who might become scientists, engineers, poets or some transdisciplinary connection between the disciplines to nurture these connections, like new neural pathways, at an early age
2. Because C.P. Snow had it right. See poetryandscience.com
3. Because this is a great memorization task for a young child. Having this poem stored away in their minds for a lifetime is worthwhile. There's plenty of space for it.
4. Make a market statement as a consumer. Tell Norton that we need more of this, whatever you ma think of this particular attempt.
I'm on the verbal learning end of the verbal <-> visual learning spectrum, so I can't speak authoritatively to the Peter Sis illustrations as a jumping off point for a child. But a creditable attempt has been made to put imaginative drawings (not photographs, to be clear) that invite the viewer to see the connections between the words and images. For instance, consider the rendering for these lines:
". . . the songbird singing its call in the bough of a wind-shaken tree"
Illustrator Sis produces a stylized plant with birds in flight, yet still attached to its branches. Orbs, each containing slightly different interiors suggest the diversity of the universe, yet are confined to the same size, as if intentionally rescaled to the circle frame of the human eye.
The book consciously or unconsciously adopts the blues reminiscent of the Blue Planet, and the many thoughts about it from Carl Sagan, David Attenborough, John Updike, Douglas Adams. The result is restful, quietly luminary as befits the modest attempt that a short poem can made to cover the semantic vastness of what humans perceive as mystery, and the variety of ways in which it is praised.
The poem is widely available. That's not the reason to buy the book. In fact, the book demonstrates the limits of the web to provide valuable content for young minds; it accomplishes something the web pages where it appears do not.
I don't know if or when my grandsons will read it, but I'm determined that it should be on their shelf.
I love the idea of their anticipating out loud, after an umpteenth reading, the verse on the next page before the page is turned. How mysterious that is.
Like the poem itself, which is delivered a few lines at a time with the illustrations (the entire poem is also reproduced on a single page at the end), the book is an explicit attempt to connect the science and technology of space exploration with human aspirations and imagination. Most adult readers don't achieve this fusion in their reading diet. Nor are there many writers who attempt it. From my reading of her work, it's not a sweet spot for Limon's own work, either.
So why attempt this with children, who will have had even more limited exposure to these notions? And is it worth the cost of adding it to a shelf likely containing more accessible children's books?
Yes, and here's why.
1. Because it matters. It matters to try to fuse these views, and to encourage it in children who might become scientists, engineers, poets or some transdisciplinary connection between the disciplines to nurture these connections, like new neural pathways, at an early age
2. Because C.P. Snow had it right. See poetryandscience.com
3. Because this is a great memorization task for a young child. Having this poem stored away in their minds for a lifetime is worthwhile. There's plenty of space for it.
4. Make a market statement as a consumer. Tell Norton that we need more of this, whatever you ma think of this particular attempt.
I'm on the verbal learning end of the verbal <-> visual learning spectrum, so I can't speak authoritatively to the Peter Sis illustrations as a jumping off point for a child. But a creditable attempt has been made to put imaginative drawings (not photographs, to be clear) that invite the viewer to see the connections between the words and images. For instance, consider the rendering for these lines:
". . . the songbird singing its call in the bough of a wind-shaken tree"
Illustrator Sis produces a stylized plant with birds in flight, yet still attached to its branches. Orbs, each containing slightly different interiors suggest the diversity of the universe, yet are confined to the same size, as if intentionally rescaled to the circle frame of the human eye.
The book consciously or unconsciously adopts the blues reminiscent of the Blue Planet, and the many thoughts about it from Carl Sagan, David Attenborough, John Updike, Douglas Adams. The result is restful, quietly luminary as befits the modest attempt that a short poem can made to cover the semantic vastness of what humans perceive as mystery, and the variety of ways in which it is praised.
The poem is widely available. That's not the reason to buy the book. In fact, the book demonstrates the limits of the web to provide valuable content for young minds; it accomplishes something the web pages where it appears do not.
I don't know if or when my grandsons will read it, but I'm determined that it should be on their shelf.
I love the idea of their anticipating out loud, after an umpteenth reading, the verse on the next page before the page is turned. How mysterious that is.
October 10, 2024
IN PRAISE OF MYSTERY is tough to review as a children's book. BUT, it is absolutely worth having on your shelf, whether you're five or fifty-five or ninety-five, simply for the reason it exists in the first place: the poem is engraved on NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft which will launch any day now (Hurricane Milton delayed it) and journey to Jupiter's second moon, Europa. How glorious and unique is that?
The poem, written by 2023 US Poet Laureate Ada Limón, is beautiful and evocative, and as a stand-alone poem, I'd give it 5 STARS. The illustrations, created by multiple-award-winner Peter SÃs, are a visual delight -- dreamy, engaging, and also evocative -- and they are also worthy of a 5 STARS rating.
Unfortunately, the execution of putting the two elements together is where the book suffers. So as a children's book, I'd rate it 4 STARS The poem is a bit advanced for younger readers to process, but when the words of the poem are separated from each other and scattered across pages, comprehension is even more difficult and the poem loses its cadence and flow. At times, the text blends too much with the artwork, and the font is lovely, but not really young-reader friendly.
Even so, IN PRAISE OF MYSTERY would make a good read-along title where younger readers can wallow in the beauty of the art and older readers can wallow in the beauty of the words. And I could even visualize the book being used in the classroom with high schoolers as a springboard for a multitude of activities across the curriculum.
Thankfully, the poem is included in full at the end of the book, as is the Author's Notes section that gives the explanation of why the poem was written and where the otherworldly journey it will take. VERY cool.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher as part of School Library Journal's Day of Dialogue. I will definitely be purchasing the hardcover edition for my personal collection. This review is also found on .
The poem, written by 2023 US Poet Laureate Ada Limón, is beautiful and evocative, and as a stand-alone poem, I'd give it 5 STARS. The illustrations, created by multiple-award-winner Peter SÃs, are a visual delight -- dreamy, engaging, and also evocative -- and they are also worthy of a 5 STARS rating.
Unfortunately, the execution of putting the two elements together is where the book suffers. So as a children's book, I'd rate it 4 STARS The poem is a bit advanced for younger readers to process, but when the words of the poem are separated from each other and scattered across pages, comprehension is even more difficult and the poem loses its cadence and flow. At times, the text blends too much with the artwork, and the font is lovely, but not really young-reader friendly.
Even so, IN PRAISE OF MYSTERY would make a good read-along title where younger readers can wallow in the beauty of the art and older readers can wallow in the beauty of the words. And I could even visualize the book being used in the classroom with high schoolers as a springboard for a multitude of activities across the curriculum.
Thankfully, the poem is included in full at the end of the book, as is the Author's Notes section that gives the explanation of why the poem was written and where the otherworldly journey it will take. VERY cool.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher as part of School Library Journal's Day of Dialogue. I will definitely be purchasing the hardcover edition for my personal collection. This review is also found on .
September 30, 2024
My standard way of describing a real, truly honest, five star read is if mankind would be well served by stapling it to the side of a rocket and sending it to space. And for once here's a text designed to have exactly that fate. And you know what? I wasn't too impressed. This verse is stuck on the side of a ship that will reach orbit around Europa, all being well, in 2030, and this message-across-the-void is designed to prove our curiosity at that void, our love of learning and our respect for the mysteries on all worlds � orbiting Jupiter or the one under our feet.
Visually this is certainly impressive, if derivative � one page clearly wants to honour van Gogh, another shows star children in a very star children way. The layout however has the text in real scattershot areas of the page, interrupting the 'flow' of what might as well be blank verse. Yet even when reading the verses plain, as we see them at the end, I can't say I was particularly enamoured. It's an endeavour full to bursting of well-meaning, and that has swamped all the corners leaving nowhere near enough appeal. I admired the artistic craft, but the script did very little, and to declare it as a young read for children is misguided in the extreme.
Visually this is certainly impressive, if derivative � one page clearly wants to honour van Gogh, another shows star children in a very star children way. The layout however has the text in real scattershot areas of the page, interrupting the 'flow' of what might as well be blank verse. Yet even when reading the verses plain, as we see them at the end, I can't say I was particularly enamoured. It's an endeavour full to bursting of well-meaning, and that has swamped all the corners leaving nowhere near enough appeal. I admired the artistic craft, but the script did very little, and to declare it as a young read for children is misguided in the extreme.
April 20, 2025
The publisher states: As part of her tenure as U.S. poet laureate, Ada Limón has written “In Praise of Mystery,â€� which will be engraved on the Europa Clipper spacecraft that launches to Jupiter and its moons in October 2024. Published here as Limón’s debut picture book, this luminous poem is illustrated by celebrated and internationally renowned artist Peter SÃs. has written “In Praise of Mystery,â€� which will be engraved on the Europa Clipper spacecraft that launches to Jupiter and its moons in October 2024. Published here as Limón’s debut picture book, this luminous poem is illustrated by celebrated and internationally renowned artist Peter SÃs.
I picked it up because I had read some of Limón's poetry and had read some of SÃs's work. Two rock stars! Still, it is not all that memorable as a book, either as poem or even as illustrated event. Not for kids, surely. It's too vaguely about mystery and curiosity and exploration, laudable as all those things are. But adults may want to check out the poem, which is available to read here:
I picked it up because I had read some of Limón's poetry and had read some of SÃs's work. Two rock stars! Still, it is not all that memorable as a book, either as poem or even as illustrated event. Not for kids, surely. It's too vaguely about mystery and curiosity and exploration, laudable as all those things are. But adults may want to check out the poem, which is available to read here:
November 11, 2024
Most often a children's picture book brings beautiful language (found in this poem) and glorious illustrations (also found in this book) together to create an even more rewarding artistic literary experience. However, while the poem here is beautiful (obviously, since it's by U.S. poet laureate Limon) and the illustrations by Peter Sis never cease to deliver awe to viewers, there does not seem to be an audience for this book. Would older readers select this brief poem in picture book format? Unlikely. Will teachers use this book when studying distant planets or space exploration? Again unlikely. Would a young reader who independently picks this book up to read understand the poem (definitely unlikely) or view the illustrations as laud for our planet and in appreciation of Jupiter's second moon, Europa (birdwalking: how ironic is that name selection by...who?)? So much work went into creating the illustrations in this picture book, it is a shame that it likely will not find an audience. It's beautiful.
January 25, 2025
In Praise of Mystery is a stand-alone poem headed to a moon of Jupiter in case life forms that may exist have any interest in our rundown little planet. Here, it has been turned into a children’s book with pretty impressionistic art. It’s not my favorite poem or my favorite art, but it was a nice change of pace from typical children’s literature.
Moral: To know is to wonder. Always wonder.
Length: The poem is not that wordy, but this seems longer than it is; maybe because it’s so abstract.
Favorite Line: “We are creatures of constant awe, curious at beauty, at leaf and blossom.�
Overall impression: If there are aliens out there, I wonder what they would say about this book. It’s not a definitive study of the human condition, but it does suggest we’re a puzzling sort - always wondering what’s out there and if it’s better than what we already have. In fact, I’m puzzled myself: who thought this was a story children would grasp, comprehend, and return to? I guess it’s better than most of the trash we’re sharing with the universe.
Moral: To know is to wonder. Always wonder.
Length: The poem is not that wordy, but this seems longer than it is; maybe because it’s so abstract.
Favorite Line: “We are creatures of constant awe, curious at beauty, at leaf and blossom.�
Overall impression: If there are aliens out there, I wonder what they would say about this book. It’s not a definitive study of the human condition, but it does suggest we’re a puzzling sort - always wondering what’s out there and if it’s better than what we already have. In fact, I’m puzzled myself: who thought this was a story children would grasp, comprehend, and return to? I guess it’s better than most of the trash we’re sharing with the universe.
August 20, 2024
An abstract, magical realistic picture book about outerspace, humanity, and what connects us and gives life (water).
This picture book is shockingly beautiful and has great vocabulary and an even cooler backstory. I just wonder who this book is for- I think this is a perfect example of a picture book for older kids to dissect with grown-ups. Collections of poetry often get checked out here, but single poem picture books have not done as well, such as The Undefeated, which is just... incredible.
I think books like this are a huge appeal of libraries-- we aren't just trying to sell Pete the Cat or Dr. Seuss-- we are trying to show people unique books that they didn't even know could exist. I'm tempted to buy this book just to put it in the space section and see what happens. What do you do with an incredible book that no one will check out?
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance reader copy!
This picture book is shockingly beautiful and has great vocabulary and an even cooler backstory. I just wonder who this book is for- I think this is a perfect example of a picture book for older kids to dissect with grown-ups. Collections of poetry often get checked out here, but single poem picture books have not done as well, such as The Undefeated, which is just... incredible.
I think books like this are a huge appeal of libraries-- we aren't just trying to sell Pete the Cat or Dr. Seuss-- we are trying to show people unique books that they didn't even know could exist. I'm tempted to buy this book just to put it in the space section and see what happens. What do you do with an incredible book that no one will check out?
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance reader copy!
April 16, 2025
In Praise of Mystery written by poet laureate, Ada Limon and illustrated by Caldecott winning artist, Peter Sis is an amazing piece of art. If only more exquisite poems were crafted into picture books! Limon was commissioned by NASA to write a poem which has been etched onto the spacecraft, Clipper, which is on its way to Jupiter and is set to arrive there in 2030. When asked in an NPR interview, About the poem, Limon said she wanted to write a poem that would share, “who we are at our most decent human core.� Sis’s illustrations are done in gorgeous hues of blue and a spare palette of other colors. His style is reminiscent of Vincent Van Gogh’s art. Back matter includes the poem and an author’s note. Although, In Praise of Mystery can be shared with any age, it is wonderfully suited for middle and high school age students. The beautifully illustrated poem in picture book format is a delightful gift for any poetry lover.
February 4, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars
�- From earth,
we read the sky as if it is an unerring book
of the universe, expert and evident.�
I do believe that we have a need for *some* people to learn about ‘sophisticated picture books� as a genre/medium &, that not all media being in a stylised format is for only, or even children at all, & that children are smarter than *some* seem to think�
but more importantly, what a beautiful poem, accompanied by equally beautiful illustrations! (you can read this online without them, but it’s so, so very worth to find a copy with the art accompaniment) - it absolutely does represent the magnitude of being sent of into space & the grounded life of humanity on earth…an absolute must read!
“And it is not darkness that unites us,
not the cold distance of space, but
the offering of water -�
�- From earth,
we read the sky as if it is an unerring book
of the universe, expert and evident.�
I do believe that we have a need for *some* people to learn about ‘sophisticated picture books� as a genre/medium &, that not all media being in a stylised format is for only, or even children at all, & that children are smarter than *some* seem to think�
but more importantly, what a beautiful poem, accompanied by equally beautiful illustrations! (you can read this online without them, but it’s so, so very worth to find a copy with the art accompaniment) - it absolutely does represent the magnitude of being sent of into space & the grounded life of humanity on earth…an absolute must read!
“And it is not darkness that unites us,
not the cold distance of space, but
the offering of water -�
April 16, 2024
Ada Limon has created lush verse for a picture book that celebrates the world's beauty and wonder, and Peter Sis delicately illustrates her words. What a luminous effort on both parts - it is poetic hope on a page, words that explore the macro and the micro around us while engaging the audience with striking images. Artwork by Sis is vaguely medieval and reminds me of maps and ancient things, primeval things, colored divinely with blues and earth tones. Surely this will be talked about in Caldecott circles - this fragile verse and stunning artwork work to create a spellbinding picture book. Give them all the awards!
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.
September 18, 2024
U.S, Poet laureate, Ada Limon wrote a beautiful poem that is to be engraved on the Europa Clipper spaceship that will be sent by NASA on a journey to Jupiter and its moons in October 2024. The poem has been formatted into a picture book and illustrated by Caldecot honoree Peter Sis. The result is a beautiful work of art created by two masters of their work. Limon's poem captures the yearning to go beyond the world that we know, to explore farther and to deepen understanding. Sis's illustrations complement her words with dazzling images that invite the reader to stop and study them. I'm so happy to have found this book that is perfect for all ages.
November 11, 2024
This book epitomizes why I often dislike poetry. It was random poetry with no meaning until you read the background afterward. It sounded like the author was jumbling words together in an attempt to be deep, but it was just eye-rolling instead. It sounded like the work of someone trained at a large eastern liberal arts school where they tell you that everything you do is correct as long as you connect with your inner-self. Sounds like the work of someone who was appointed to a political poetry position in the federal government.
Also, the artwork didn't really mesh well with the poetry.
Also, the artwork didn't really mesh well with the poetry.
December 11, 2024
An adaptation of a poem written for NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, destined to visit Jupiter's second moon (Europa).
It's a lovely poem and the illustrations are also very beautiful, but this is an instance of a text being adapted for children by packaging it as a picture book instead of the text and illustrations being created specifically for children. I found the poem to be rather complex and abstract for young readers; adults are a better audience for this one, and they will find much to love here.
It's a lovely poem and the illustrations are also very beautiful, but this is an instance of a text being adapted for children by packaging it as a picture book instead of the text and illustrations being created specifically for children. I found the poem to be rather complex and abstract for young readers; adults are a better audience for this one, and they will find much to love here.
December 14, 2024
The good: Illustrations by Peter Sis beautifully connect to this lovely poem by poet laureate Ada Limon. The poem will especially connect with adults and I suspect grandparents will be especially excited by this book.
The not so good: My students in my two elementary libraries are unlikely to connect to a book that is slow moving and sparsely worded. The language is a bit above most of them and the muted tone is not what they will ask for over and over again.
This is a beautiful book that will be overlooked by too many, unfortunately.
The not so good: My students in my two elementary libraries are unlikely to connect to a book that is slow moving and sparsely worded. The language is a bit above most of them and the muted tone is not what they will ask for over and over again.
This is a beautiful book that will be overlooked by too many, unfortunately.
December 15, 2024
A poem written to be engraved upon NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft, this picture book version is illustrated with matching metaphor and meaning by one of my favorite illustrators, Peter Sis. The only line that was puzzling prior to reading the endmatter, “O second moon, we, too, are made of water� as there was no other context to know that Europa is Jupiter’s second moon. The words with their accompanying illustrations can otherwise be read as praise of our own planet and our own human wonder and curiousity.
December 15, 2024
As part of being a U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada Limón wrote this poem that will travel into space on NASA's Europa Clipper, heading to Jupiter. The poem will be engraved on the ship. Her words show what it might be like to go outside our world, to explore and ponder. Peter Sis has illustrated with extraordinary imaginative art, showing and imagining human connections with other animals, the sky, water. It's Limón's debut picture book, which will make a marvelous gift for those you know who love poetry and the pictures from the words that have been created by a wonderful artist!
March 28, 2025
What a unique concept for a picture book for all ages! US Poet Laureate Ada Limon and renowned illustrator Peter Sis have created a beautiful rendition of a poem Limon wrote that was sent into space on NASA's Europa Clipper to Jupiter's moon, Europa. The poem speaks of the mysteries of creation on earth, such as whale song, and human emotion. Limon's poem makes connections between our world and Europa, each artistic spread fit for framing. The book ends with the text of the poem. "We are creatures of constant awe..." May it be so.
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November 30, 2024I remember being torn about this after reading it, but having requested it with much anticipation.
It is not the poem that I am criticising but whether this was the ideal one to be sent to space.
I will copy my review on netgalley when I get a chance.
Though, after a reflection long time later, my sentiments remained the same.
Thank you to #netgalley for the ARC. This was a wonderful opportunity.
It is not the poem that I am criticising but whether this was the ideal one to be sent to space.
I will copy my review on netgalley when I get a chance.
Though, after a reflection long time later, my sentiments remained the same.
Thank you to #netgalley for the ARC. This was a wonderful opportunity.
January 28, 2025
This is a lovely poem with sweet illustrations.
Per the author's note, the poem is engraved onto a NASA spacecraft, Europa, that is scheduled to travel 1.8 billion miles to Jupiter's second moon, called Europa. It was noted to leave in the fall of 2024 and arrive in 2030.
Europa is said to be called a water planet with an ocean underneath its icy surface. Europa will be studied to see if there are any signs & conditions that would show life being supported on the moon.
Per the author's note, the poem is engraved onto a NASA spacecraft, Europa, that is scheduled to travel 1.8 billion miles to Jupiter's second moon, called Europa. It was noted to leave in the fall of 2024 and arrive in 2030.
Europa is said to be called a water planet with an ocean underneath its icy surface. Europa will be studied to see if there are any signs & conditions that would show life being supported on the moon.
February 12, 2025
Peter Sis's exquisite art works beautifully to illustrate Limon's sensitive lyrical poem written in honor of the spacecraft Europa Clipper's journey to Jupiter's second moon, Europa. The poem celebrates our curiosity and evokes the wonder of the natural world here on Earth and in space. A beautiful picture book to include in units about space travel.
"O second moon, we, too, are made
of water, of vast and beckoning seas."
"O second moon, we, too, are made
of water, of vast and beckoning seas."
February 16, 2025
I loved this book. A poem of poet laureate Ada Limón’s presented as a children’s book, in small digestible bites per page and brought to life by illustrations from Caldecott honoree Peter SÃs. The poem is simultaneously a message about the expansive wonder of the universe, and the equally wondrous pieces of us and life on our planet. Fun fact in the author’s note, this poem was transcribed onto the spacecraft set to explore Jupiter’s water moon, Europa!
October 16, 2024
Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! What a beautiful piece of work.
I am not normally a Peter Sis fan. I like his work well enough but it doesn't make me jump and shout
but this one makes my heart melt and my eyes leak.
The marriage between word and illustration is magical.
Please let this be a contender this year.
I am not normally a Peter Sis fan. I like his work well enough but it doesn't make me jump and shout
but this one makes my heart melt and my eyes leak.
The marriage between word and illustration is magical.
Please let this be a contender this year.
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