Author(s): Colin Stuart

Mathematics, Physics & Chemistry

Review: Organised into four sections, every concept and idea is clearly explained in a short paragraph or diagram designed to clearly illustrate the point in hand. The vibrantly-illustrated pages make the book inviting and intriguing, helping to lesson the potential fear of encountering some pretty big ideas. * Library Girl and Book Boy *
But this book actually makes maths look interesting! The huge cover alone, with its glorious sparkles and colour, shows that it's not just about dull numbers. * Childtastic Books *
This book is big and bold. The title reference to the 'universe' is the first clue to the ambition of this book which artfully and artistically takes the reader through an encyclopaedia of mathematical concepts. The chapters use pleasing illustrations and playful explanations to show maths all around us, inviting readers to get 'Crafty with Cryptography' and 'Put Pythagoras into Practice.' The gorgeous artwork and tempting facts will delight any child already alert to number and pattern but will also entice less intuitive mathematicians. What might seem an unlikely topic makes perfect logic when you can read about how ants use geometry to find new nest sites, and three-day-old chicks solve simple addition and subtraction calculations. There's so much to learn from this book, it couldn't be consumed in one bite. Nevertheless, the real-life explanations, generous artwork, and oversized proportions of this book, offer fascinating insight with a fresh perspective on the universe and the place of maths within it. -- English Association * English Association *

Prizes: Winner of The Margaret Mallett Award for Children's Non-Fiction 2020.

Author Biography: Colin Stuart (Author)
Colin Stuart is a renowned astronomy speaker and author whose books have sold over 100,000 copies worldwide. A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a 2014 runner-up in the European Astronomy Journalism Prize, Colin has also written publications featured in The Guardian, New Scientist, BBC Focus and The Observer, and has spoken about the wonders of the universe on Sky News, BBC News and Radio 5Live.

Ximo Abadia (Illustrator)
Ximo Abadia is a highly acclaimed artist, living and working in Spain. He has illustrated numerous publications including The Speed of Starlight and his work was selected for the Bologna Children's Illustrator's Exhibition in 2017.