A Few Beautiful Minutes - by Kate Allen Fox (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Sky gazers experience a total solar eclipse in this descriptive picture book about the wonders of this phenomenon"--

Book Synopsis

A poetic and exquisitely illustrated tribute to the solar eclipse and the magic of togetherness, seen through the eyes of a child.​

What happens during a solar eclipse? The sun vanishes. Light becomes dark. Day animals sleep, and night animals wake. The moon takes over the sky. People stop what they're doing and together, they look up. The whole world changes for a few beautiful minutes.

Celebrating a favorite wonder of the universe, A Few Beautiful Minutes encourages young readers to (safely) discover each stage of a solar eclipse, and to experience how this incredible phenomenon can connect us to one another.

Review Quotes

A Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Young Readers
An NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts Award Book

"Kate Allen Fox's gentle prose and Khoa Lee's gorgeous, nature-focused illustrations can help us all appreciate this phenomenon with fresh eyes."--Atlas Obscura

"In a blend of science and art, this book succeeds in making the complex accessible and extraordinarily relatable, making it a valuable addition to any collection's astronomy shelves."--School Library Journal

* "The miracle of the eclipse and the miracle of existence are drawn together in this title about the unifying power of coming 'face-to-face with the splendor of the universe.'"--Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Rich, poetic language explains the process of a total solar eclipse and ponders its effects on the living creatures below.... The meditative verse offers enough factual information and terminology to make this an excellent choice for a science lesson.... Like a solar eclipse, this theatrical work of nonfiction is not to be missed."
--Kirkus, starred review

"Artful poetry and bold artwork combine in this warm and inviting exploration of a total solar eclipse.... This thoughtful and gracefully illustrated picture book is a strong choice that brings together the entrancing nature of eclipses and the facts surrounding the extraordinary event."--Booklist

"Fox deftly captures the anticipation of such a colossal event and the way it can make a person feel both small and a part of something big at the same time.... Le's digital illustrations are wonderfully ethereal, with deep pinks and dreamy blues, and reminiscent of watercolor painting.... This nonfiction story will pique a child's curiosity, leaving them to ponder their place in the universe."--BCCB

About the Author

Kate Allen Fox is the author of Pando: The Living Wonder of Trees, and her essays have appeared in The New York Times and McSweeney's. After working in public health, she combined her passions for science and the written word and began writing picture books that inspire wonder and curiosity about the natural world. She invites you to visit her online at kateallenfox.com or on Twitter @kateallenfox.

Khoa Le has illustrated numerous picture books, including Beatrice Likes the Dark, The Most Beautiful Thing, Sugar in Milk, and the Sydney Taylor Honor book Miriam at the River, among others. She is also an author, a graphic designer, and a painter. Khoa has a passion for travel, an eagerness to learn about different cultures, and a desire to discover the beauty of the world. She lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and invites you to visit her online at khoaleartwork.com or on Instagram @khoa.le.artwork.