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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
totally read this with my MFC book talk in mind, but it wasn't quite what i wanted. i've been staring at the color since i started working at the branch, since it's really bright and shiny. i bet that's what they're hoping will appeal to kids too - i actually liked the drawings & photos better than the story.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Get your kids excited about science!
Lots of good facts and pictures of space, intertwined with a fun story line that gets kid’s thinking about space and questioning how it all came to be. A delightful read, and I plan to read the rest in the series with my kids.
Lots of good facts and pictures of space, intertwined with a fun story line that gets kid’s thinking about space and questioning how it all came to be. A delightful read, and I plan to read the rest in the series with my kids.
Without a doubt, 5 stars!
So, I didn't know about this book until two months ago. When I was teaching Year Four, one of my topics was space (stargazers). I did not want to read the book on the curriculum map, which looked so dull, and had nothing to do with space. I begged my class teacher for a different book and I was only allowed a different book if I could find a better space-themed replacement. After ten minutes of searching on book websites recommended for primary-aged children, I found this. Surely, I should have already known about this book. Me: self-proclaimed children's literature lover and a huge Doctor Who fan. Somehow, it slipped my radar.
The quote from the Sunday times is: like a Doctor Who adventure and they are not wrong. This book is amazing. It is so educational: filled with fact files and real-life photographs throughout but it also intertwines the key knowledge throughout the plot. I've honestly learned so much about the Universe from this book that I previously didn't know about and I think it is brilliant.
The Hawkings' skills remind me of Riordan and his ability to intertwine facts/knowledge into the plot. I think it is definitely a difficult skill as I've read many books, which are really trying to do it but end up like an encyclopedia. The Hawkings have definitely achieved it. I loved the characterisation, the setting and (did I mention?) the plot! There were sensitive topics dealt with: divorce, being different, bullying (and there's even a hint that someone's died) but they are all dealt with so well that I think it really works. It is really hard to crack children's literature because the writing needs to be just right and I definitely think this works.
Never mind just for children, I LOVED THIS. As a Doctor Who fan, who loves space, I was enthralled in this book and I didn't feel too intimidated as is sometime possible with science fiction. This book is really approachable and you don't have to be a child to read this book because it's really good.
I even cried at the end. No spoilers but the importance of families and friends shone through this book and I just really wanted to be part of this story. I cried at the acknowledgements too because I forgot that this book was wrote by Stephen Hawking and his daughter. I don't think that should put you off at all. (It was one of the reasons I was drawn to it.) I forgot about the importance of the partnership between father and child and I think this is reflected in the story pretty well.
I am definitely reading the next one in this series because I think the Hawkings have stumbled on something wonderful.
Such an underrated book.
So, I didn't know about this book until two months ago. When I was teaching Year Four, one of my topics was space (stargazers). I did not want to read the book on the curriculum map, which looked so dull, and had nothing to do with space. I begged my class teacher for a different book and I was only allowed a different book if I could find a better space-themed replacement. After ten minutes of searching on book websites recommended for primary-aged children, I found this. Surely, I should have already known about this book. Me: self-proclaimed children's literature lover and a huge Doctor Who fan. Somehow, it slipped my radar.
The quote from the Sunday times is: like a Doctor Who adventure and they are not wrong. This book is amazing. It is so educational: filled with fact files and real-life photographs throughout but it also intertwines the key knowledge throughout the plot. I've honestly learned so much about the Universe from this book that I previously didn't know about and I think it is brilliant.
The Hawkings' skills remind me of Riordan and his ability to intertwine facts/knowledge into the plot. I think it is definitely a difficult skill as I've read many books, which are really trying to do it but end up like an encyclopedia. The Hawkings have definitely achieved it. I loved the characterisation, the setting and (did I mention?) the plot! There were sensitive topics dealt with: divorce, being different, bullying (and there's even a hint that someone's died) but they are all dealt with so well that I think it really works. It is really hard to crack children's literature because the writing needs to be just right and I definitely think this works.
Never mind just for children, I LOVED THIS. As a Doctor Who fan, who loves space, I was enthralled in this book and I didn't feel too intimidated as is sometime possible with science fiction. This book is really approachable and you don't have to be a child to read this book because it's really good.
I even cried at the end. No spoilers but the importance of families and friends shone through this book and I just really wanted to be part of this story. I cried at the acknowledgements too because I forgot that this book was wrote by Stephen Hawking and his daughter. I don't think that should put you off at all. (It was one of the reasons I was drawn to it.) I forgot about the importance of the partnership between father and child and I think this is reflected in the story pretty well.
I am definitely reading the next one in this series because I think the Hawkings have stumbled on something wonderful.
Such an underrated book.
informative
fast-paced
A fun read. I loved Cosmos, the egotistical supercomputer - he was adorable. Though it's a book about science, I thought it occasionally talked down too much to its intended audience - that always grates on me when reading a children's book. But I wasn't expecting much when I picked it up, just a fun romp through outer space with black holes (yay!) and random facts and info thrown in for good measure. That's what I got, so I'm happy.
adventurous
funny
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolutely brilliant - perfect mix of story telling and science
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced