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Astrophysics for Supervillains – Supervillain Academy by Dr. Matthew Bothwell ill. Nathan Reed

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 9 Jul 2024

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Based on real questions from children, Dr Matt Bothwell — public astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy — has created the Supervillain Academy to teach astrophysics to middle graders.

Could you crash the Moon into the Earth?
If the Sun explodes, would we all get vaporised?
What’s the weather like on Mercury?

Discover the answers to these questions and many more at the Supervillain Academy, the magnificently morbid school for young bad guys-in-training. Facts about space are all well and good, but discovering that if you threw someone into a black hole, they would be spaghettified — stretched out long and thin before getting squashed smaller than an atom — is fascinatingly gruesome.

At the Supervillain Academy, readers will learn about the solar system, galaxies, the universe, and the answer to the question “Which planet is entirely populated by robots?” 

Entertainingly illustrated throughout by Nathan Reed:

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Suzie and the Moon Bugs – Space Blasters Book 2 by Katie & Kevin Tsang ill. Amy Nguyen

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The second title is Katie and Kevin Tsang’s Space Blasters series sends inventive Suzie Wen on more imaginative intergalactic adventures aboard the vessel from her favourite TV show.

Suzie Wen LOVES gadgets and inventing things – but her inventions don’t always turn out how she expects . . . And after a massive invention mishap, Suzie is now living on board the space ship from her favourite TV show – exploring new planets and saving the universe!

STEM themes woven throughout, including real mindbending space facts and pages from Suzie’s inventors’ notebook.

Look out for the first book in the series: Susie Saves The Universe.

Hello, Opportunity: The Story of Our Friend on Mars by Shaelyn McDaniel ill. Cornelia Li

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Humans wanted to soar through the sky, and we did. We wanted to go to the moon, and we did. Then we set our sights on a little red planet, so far out we couldn’t go ourselves. Instead, we sent a friend. We named her Opportunity because it means “a good chance” and feels like hope. With nine eyes, three ears, one arm, and six wheels, Oppy explored the mysterious terrain of Mars, gathering samples, snapping photos, and discovering vast craters. Everywhere held new and exciting surprises! Until one day, a storm came, and it was time to say goodbye…. for now. We still hope Oppy may wake up someday. Children will be amazed by Opportunity’s groundbreaking Mars mission as they see the red planet through her eyes, and the eyes of the scientists who loved her.

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Am I Made of Stardust?: Dr Maggie Answers the Big Questions for Young Scientists by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock ill. Chelen Ecija

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 3 Oct 2022

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“This would be a welcome addition to any home, classroom or library as it involves readers educating themselves about science, engaging in fun activities and learning topical facts too.” BfK 5-star review

Published to coincide with World Space Week (4th-10th October 2022).

How long would it take me to fly to a star? What would happen if I fell inside a black hole? Would I get a phone signal in space? From whether there are rainbows on other planets to what dinner tastes like on the International Space Station, this book is packed full of fabulous facts, mind-blowing insights and engaging explanations from the renowned space scientist.

Chelen Ecija is an illustrator and a lettering artist based in Madrid. Follow her on Instagram:

 

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Aliens and Other Worlds: True Tales from Our Solar System and Beyond by Lisa Harvey-Smith ill. Tracie Grimwood

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From the author of Under The Stars, Astrophysics For Everyone.

Did life on Earth arrive on a meteorite from outer space? Are there living beings on planets beyond our solar system? If they are out there, what might these aliens look like? Would they be smart, curious, scared? Would they even want to meet us?

Revealing the wonders of scientific inquiry, astrophysicist and best-selling author Lisa Harvey-Smith guides Earthlings young and old through our search for alien life. On the way, she considers where our best chances are to find any galactic neighbours; ponders whether they might already be living among us; and looks at what we might learn about aliens from life at Earth’s extremes.

Asking all the important questions, answering some and explaining why others need further investigation, Aliens and Other Worlds explores the mystery of life beyond Earth. With illustrations by acclaimed artist Tracie Grimwood, this mysterious, awe-inspiring journey will thrill anyone with eyes fixed on distant horizons.

The author is a presenter alongside Professor Brian Cox on ABC TV’s Stargazing Live. Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisa.harveysmith/

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Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space by Dr Dominic Walliman ill. Ben Newman

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 17 Feb 2022

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First published nearly 10 years ago, and now revised an updated in a new edition, this is an illustrated non-fiction book every bit as good as we have come to expect from Flying Eye Books.

Follow the illustrator, Ben Newman, on Instagram and read about what this book means to him:

What is it like to live in space? Is there life on other planets? What exactly is a black hole? Join Professor Astro Cat and the gang as they travel across space to find out everything there is to know about our galaxy, the solar system and the Universe. From asteroids to alien life and rockets to rovers, there’s so much to discover in the Frontiers of Space. Blast off with this revised edition featuring new content and the latest research and discoveries.

There is a whole series of ‘Professor Astro Cat’ books to discover….

The author has his own channel, Domain of Science, on Youtube:

The Infinity Files by S. M. Wilson

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Escape into space with the star-spangled new series from the author of The Extinction Trials.

Get in. Get out. Keep to the task. Leave no trace. Ash Yang dreamed of being a starfighter pilot. But when she crashes out of her final test – literally – she somehow lands the most powerful job in the universe. As Guardian of the Infinity Files she must secretly planet-hop through the galaxies, stealing or returning treasures that have the power to stop wars…or start them. But when her home planet is the one at war, can she use her new skills to save it?

Space Oddity by Christopher Edge ill. Ben Mantle

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5 STAR BfK review

Science and laughs combine in this out-of-this-world adventure, featuring illustrations by Ben Mantle!

You might think that this story is going to be an intergalactic adventure filled with UFOs, black holes, killer robots and some very foul-smelling aliens. And you’d be right. But it’s mostly about a boy called Jake, his embarrassing dad, and the mind-boggling question… are we really alone in the universe?

Space Detectives by Mark Powers ill. Dapo Adeola

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Dog lost in space? Grown an extra head and don’t know why? Pocket money stolen by a green blob? You need the Space Detectives! Connor and Ethan are spending their summer holidays aboard the world’s first orbiting city, Starville (basically Beverley Hills in space!). The amazing space station is bursting with celebrities and the mega-rich. But Connor and Ethan are too busy selling ice cream to see the sights.

However, neither of our heroes can resist a mystery and when they discover the space station is hurtling on a collision course with the moon (eep!) they know they need to step in. This is a case for the SPACE DETECTIVES! Can Connor and Ethan find the culprit and save Starville from its impending doom?

Dapo Adeola, the illustrator, was recently featured in Meet An Illustrator…

Waterstones Piccadilly expands children’s section | The Bookseller

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The Bookseller reports:

Waterstones’ flagship Piccadilly store is expanding its children’s section after a sales increase of 20%.

London regional manager Luke Taylor said the company decided to re-think the space after “the recent explosion in children’s sales”, driven by reference, games and educational related products.

The children’s area will take up two-thirds of the second floor and will include a bigger picture book and board book range, a new YA space with crossover titles like Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, and an area for related products such as party packs and toys.

via Waterstones Piccadilly expands children’s section | The Bookseller.

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