Ages 9 to 12 years

From “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ to the success of Brian Cox’s astronomy shows, space is a constant source of fascination for all ages. The forces that govern our universe don’t just bend time and space -they bend our minds with their sheer, unbelievable awesomeness. Get this: If the tip of your favourite ballpoint pen was as dense as a neutron star (a super-dense star which has collapsed in on itself after exploding), it would weigh 90,000tonnes. Have another: There is a white dwarf star, 50 light years from earth, which is made entirely of diamonds. Measuring 2,400 miles across, it’s a rock big enough for any engagement ring. The sheer volume of incredible, fascinating facts in this book is almost as vast as space itself. It is the perfect topic to capture the imagination of younger readers, as well as being a topic that would be encouraged by any parent. The book is decorated throughout with Andrew Pinder’s typically brilliant illustrations to add verve and humour to a genuinely brilliant children’s title.