HOPE, Charles Space Exploration Wild Dog (Going Supernova), 2014 24pp $14.99 pbk ISBN 9781742033143 SCIS 1654145
This factual book dominated by large, colourful photographic images explains the main milestones in the exploration of space since the launch of the first satellite in 1957. The simple text consisting of no more than a paragraph in large, clear font on each page is strategically arranged so that it does not get in the way of the pictures. Each opening has a smaller ‘Did you know’ section illustrated by a bright cartoon spaceship giving fast trivia style facts in the corner of the page. A glossary at the end clarifies some of the harder words, although I would have liked it to include the meaning of NASA, which was left unexplained. This information book gives a great visual experience whilst communicating scientific concepts in a way that is easily understood by children in lower primary school.
reviewed by Debra Tidball