There are at LEAST two reasons to find a copy of Guy Murchie’s Music of the Spheres. His command of language is one. If you can find a copy, just read the first chapter to get a sense of what I mean. It opens thus: “The stars beneath my feet stare upward, strange and bold. They do not twinkle. They burn steadfastly in the black, bottomless sky.” The second reason is the artwork, illustrations done by Murchie himself. The book was first published in 1961. Written over fifty years later, I’m not sure how much of what Murchie wrote in over 600+ pages stands the test of time, but it surely perseveres as a beautiful poetic discourse on the workings of the universe.
Chet Raymo’s Soul of Night, published in 2005, reminded me of Music of the Spheres with its melding of science, art and philosophy. It is a compilation of lyrical essays that allow even the non-scientist to imagine and explore heady concepts of astronomy. Each essay is prefaced by detailed Michael McCurdy wood engravings. You can find more of McCurdy’s work here: http://www.michaelmccurdy.com/ Chet Raymo is Professor Emeritus at Stone Hil College in Massachusetts. He used to write for the Boston Globe but now his essays can be found at http://www.sciencemusings.com/
The Cats’ Arabian Nights was first published by D. Lothrop of Boston in 1881. It was written by Abby Morton Diaz and illustrated by a number of artists. I found the book in a small antiques shop while traveling through Virginia. The images hooked me more so than the book’s story which is a feline rendition of the classic Arabian Nights tale. Since returning to Boston, I have begun to research the author (who had strong and important Boston connections) and the illustrators. It has been much easier to find information on Ms. Diaz, e.g. 
I think because her drawings seem filled with such emotion. 
rds and images to a different world.
The cover art hooked me first and then the words inside. If I had the money, this book is one I would buy for all of the women in my life … even those without a garden. The prose is simple and thought provoking.I’m not sure what else to say about this book, except that when I read it, it is like stepping into a calm place.
Words + Images 