You live on Earth, so you already know a lot about it. But doyou know about its place in out solar system? For instance, it'snot the largest planet. If Jupiter were a hallow ball, 1,000 Earthswould fit inside it. And did you know our planet Earth takes 365days to go around the sun, while the planet Pluto takes 248years?
　　This simple text by Franklyn M. Branely introduces the nineplanets in our solar system and is complemented by Kevin O'Malley'sfull-color illustrations, which incorporate some of the newestspace photographs available. How hot is it on Venus? Which planettakes longest to orbit the sun? Find out the answers in thisupdated version of this popular text. Kevin O'Malleys oftenhumorous illustrations depict a group of children and an astronomeras they learn all about our solar system. Included are some of thenewest space photographs available, as well as many hands-onactivities.

Originally published in 1981, this title gets a facelift withthe addition of some new information, including a brief list of Websites, plus new illustrations. Though given to dogmatic statementslike "The most important part of the solar system is the sun,"Branley makes his points briefly and precisely, steering clear ofdistracting dialogue and side commentary. Also, rather than themore common one-planet-after-the-other tour, he groups togetherheavenly bodies, discussing temperature, size, and orbital lengthin comparative terms; the effect is to reinforce the idea of thesolar system as a system rather than an assemblage of isolatedelements. He finishes with instructions for a planetary mobile andseveral other simple projects. O'Malley creates a rudimentary storyline in his illustrations, in which an African-American version ofMs. Frizzle guides a class around a planetarium, and inserts smallastronomical photos into his cartoon scenes. Still one of the mostbasic books on the subject, this is a welcome replacement for theold edition.