Dava Sobel has been known for her books such as “Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter.” She has been very successful in her efforts to increase the layman’s awareness and understanding of science.

“The Planets” is no exception. For those of us who came from the generation that remembers standing out on the lawn at night watching for Sputnik to dance across the sky, this book is a jewel.

This book is also for those of us who as kids made models of the universe for our science projects and dreamed of voyages to Mars while reading Ray Bradbury, and then later watched as real men actually walked on the moon. Our imaginations were further fired up by watching “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” on the big screen.

Ms. Sobel takes the planets, the sun, the moon and realms beyond and gives the history, astrology, mythology and current discoveries in astronomy and wraps them up in a book that is not to be missed. It is also very beautifully illustrated by Lynette R. Cook, whose lovely pictures fire the imagination even more. You will definintely enjoy your voyage through our solar system.

Merry Titus, who reviews books for the Reporter, is a King County Library System employee at Covington Library.