Really, Really Big Questions About Space and Time

by Mark Brake, Nishant Choksi (Illustrator)

Really Really Big Questions From Space and Time is an unusual and fun introduction to space science and astrophysics. It explores those massive, complicated, weird and often unanswered questions such as Does the Universe have a shape? What makes sunshine? Do stars explode? How do you build a time machine? and Do aliens look like me? Your head will spin – with knowledge!

Genres: Science, Stem

64 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Komal Parveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a non-fiction book based on questions about time and space. The book is very, very colourful and contains a lot of illustrations which are eye-catching and lure the reader’s attention. The language used in the book is very child friendly and easy to understand. The book asks question such as why is the sky dark at night, what makes the sunshine and Do stars explode? The book discusses topics that may not be included in the national curriculum for science however they are definitely questions that children will have fun reading about. This book is great for children in KS2 to read individually and to read together as a class. It is a fun an interesting way to teach children facts about time and space and some of the topics in the book can be used to develop class discussion.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when books assume kids are able to understand big concepts. This is a great, age-appropriate introduction to ideas that are difficult and complex, and it has a couple of moments of real brilliance. The description of dark matter as the shadow of the universe helped me, as an adult, wrap my head around it in a way I hadn't been able to. Fun illustrations, too.

[Emily Lakdawalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, Really Big Questions about Space and Time is a fantastic book. It poses the kinds of questions that budding scientists really want to know the answers to -- When did the universe start? Is what I'm seeing actually there? Is space smelly? Are there holes in space? Would aliens want to steal our stuff? -- and provides enthusiastic, conversational answers that avoid technical terms unless they are fun ("spaghettification" makes the cut). It may sound like it's patronizing to the reader, but it's really not; the answers are very clear explanations, delivered in captivating language. The book is also salted with "Brain burn" questions that invite readers to perform their own thought experiments: What if science fiction writers really had the power to "write" the future? What if aliens have already visited Earth, way back in the distant past? The illustrations are enjoyably retrofuturistic cartoons on brilliantly colored pages. My only quibble with the book is that some of these colorful pages are so dark, behind black text, that they can be difficult to read. Another book that features questions and answers is I Wonder Why Stars Twinkle: And Other Questions About Space, by Carole Stott ($6.99) ("Will the Sun ever go out? How do astronauts go to the bathroom?")

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really an excellent book, from the content to the format. (The only downgrade is that some of the page background colors make the text a bit hard to see.) I've been doing adult reading in this vein recently and have continually found myself hoping that my boys (5, 8, 10) will get jazzed about these things. This is the book to do it, if any will. Your baby Einstein might find the presentation too childish, but I think for the vast majority of kids (including very smart ones) the tone and content is right on and will engage them in these topics. I highly recommend this one.

[Terry]

My friend used this with her class and overall it went well. Some of the questions were a bit advanced but some were right on. I liked the format and thought this would be an excellent introduction to a science unit on these topics.

To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.

[Jamil · Rating 3 out of 5]

How Did We Explain the Universe Before Science Came Along? What Shape is the Universe? What happens when stars die? How fast is light? How Did We Put Time Together? Are There Holes in Space-time?

Answers inside!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun science book that help answer big questions in simple terms. The genre is science. I would use this book to conduct science lessons with grades 3-5.