STARRY MESSENGER

Starry Messenger offers a brief depiction of the life of Galileo Galilei. The text considers Galileo's important scientific and mathematical discoveries, his celebrity and his downfall at the hands of the Church because of his theory that the earth is not the center of the universe. The unusual format of this picture-book biography doesn't make its transition to audiobook easy, but Barbara Caruso and John McDonough carry it off in style. Caruso reads the text and McDonough the sidebars, which include brief quotations from Galileo. Their narration is exceptional; their voices are rich and expressive, and their pacing thoughtful and even. All that's missing are Peter Sis's stunning illustrations. Get a copy of this 1997 Caldecott Honor Book so that you can enjoy Sis's richly detailed, beautifully designed book as you listen to this fine audiobook. C.R.A. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 98]