Reviews & Endorsements

Armchair Interviews - June 2008

The cover art of Saturn for my Birthday is delicious! Kids are going to be drawn in and will be entertained while their sharp little eyes devour the scene.

Jeffrey’s birthday is looming and he’s decided that he wants Saturn for his birthday present. Yes, that Saturn—the planet. Oh, and he wouldn’t mind having its forty-seven moons. He’s going to take good care of Saturn and will share the rings with his friends. It will be oh, so much fun to have Saturn for his very own. But since Saturn is millions of miles away, Dad had better get right on it, because it will take an awful long time for the planet to arrive!

Join Jeffrey and live his delightful fantasy about owning Saturn for his very own planet. And when you’re done with Jeffrey’s story, turn the page and see the Solar System Fun Facts. They will surprise the young reader and maybe some of us older folks too. Then take your young reader to the publisher’s web site (see below) and click on the book’s cover to find all the wonderful supplemental materials.

I always say Sylvan Dell Publishers have the best children’s book and Saturn for my Birthday is no exception. The stories are entertaining and educational in a subtle way. The illustrations are always exceptional and the illustrations are delightful. They’re detailed and bright and cozy. They make your heart sing and the reader longs for the blazing fire, a soft sofa and your own Saturn wrapped in a blanket lounging with you (see the book for this scene).

Armchair Interviews says: Perfect for the family library and a must have for schools and public libraries.

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The Reading Tub - July 2008

Summary: Dad is happy to hear that Jeffrey doesn't want another pet. He has an even better birthday idea. He wants Saturn. Thanks to Mrs. Cassini, his teacher, he knows about Saturn and all of the things he'll need to do to take care of this gift. So, can Dad get Saturn? This picture book combines information about Saturn with a story about wishes.

Type of Reading: bedtime story, anytime reading, family reading, playtime reading, read aloud book, early reader

Recommended Age: read together: 4 to 8; read yourself: 7 to 10

Age of Child: Shared with nearly 7-year-old girl.

Little Kid Reaction: Our daughter loved this story. Birthdays are a favorite subject, Saturn's rings are rainbow colors, and Saturn and its moons all had faces. We read this a few times, and she thumbed through it by herself, too.

Big Kid Reaction: This is a truly clever story. The author did a wonderful job overlaying science facts in a light-hearted, non-technical story. The illustrations are wonderful, and the two-page spread of father and son pointing to the stars is just beautiful. Although this rated out as a 3.1 reading level (which sometimes happens with picture books), our rising first grader was able to recognize a lot of words and participate in reading.

Pros: Kids will enjoy the humor and learn some great facts about the solar system in this picture book that plays on their favorite things: pets and birthdays.

Cons: None.

Borrow or Buy: Borrow, at least. If you have an elementary-aged child who is fascinated by planets and stars or Saturn specifically, you will want this book. This is great for home and classroom use.

Educational Themes: Use this book as the first step to going outside and stare at the stars, visiting your local planetarium, or finding a star-watching group in your community. Pick another planet, collect some facts about it, and then decide how you would "care" for it. You'll find additional information about the solar system in the For Creative Minds section of the book and ideas on the Sylvan Dell website, too.

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The Reading Tub - June 2008

Sylvan Dell creates some wonderful science-oriented stories for kids. Another creative way to get science into kids and kids into science! Thumbing through the book, you'll find some brightly colored illustrations, each so unique you could tell your own story without reading a word.

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