HB RRP 19.95
ISBN 9780642277510
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis
Pre-school children and early readers can set out on a wonderful space adventure with Maddy and Jack in another superlative book from the NLA (National Library of Australia). In this pull-the-flap and fold out interactive book, children discover the amazing world of space and the solar system while Maddy and Jack travel across the pages in their red rocket.
The information is relayed through brief, clear facts that accompany the pictures. Bold colours, large fonts and outstanding images grace every page. The reinforced pages cater to easy handling by young hands.
There is so much to see. The journey begins with the Sun, its distance from Earth in kilometres, its diameter, and the average surface temperature. The last is included with every planet picture. There are eight stops after that – one for each planet with significant facts hidden under flaps and pull outs. Three more references cover Asteroids, Comets and The Milky Way.
Children can undertake the projects that are at the end. One entails making a crater. There is a list of what you will need and instructions on how to do it. The second shows how the Sun shines on the Earth to create night and day. There is Name a Comet or an E.T.
The author of this superb production Dr Ragbir Bhathal is an award-winning author and astrophysicist. His latest books are Australian Backyard Astronomy and Aboriginal Astronomy. This book has been created in collaboration with his wife, Johanna Davids. It has been published by NLA Publishing ‘as a contribution to the 2012 National Year of Reading’.
Astronomy is an area well represented in the NLA by their outstanding and ‘diverse collections of beautifully illustrated charts, posters, maps, drawings and photographs of celestial objects that go back to the seventeenth century’. The images in this book and more can be seen online at the National Library of Australia’s website.
This book is fantastic! Simple facts, great pictures and brilliant activities to share with your kids. Perfect for the young scientist or astronomer. The National library of Australia comes up trumps again.
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