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Children's reading lists

13 kids’ books for science fans

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Remembering Stephen Hawking

Unlocking the Universe

Discover the universe in a nutshell, with chapters on everything from the creation of the universe to time travel to the future of humanity, all in an easy-to-read, illustrated package. 
Have you ever wondered how our universe began?Or what it takes to put humans on the moon? Do you know what happens in the microscopic world of a life-saving vaccine? What would you do if you could travel through space and time? 
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this beautiful collection of up-to-the-minute essays, mind-blowing facts and out-of-this-world colour photographs, by the world's leading scientists including Professor Stephen Hawking himself. 
This unmissable volume was curated by Stephen and Lucy Hawking, whose George series of children's books was a global hit. The series is punctuated with fascinating real-life facts and insights from leading scientists. 
 
Now this incredible non-fiction has been collected into one bumper volume, with new content from key scientific figures and up-to-the-minute facts and figures for readers young and old. 
The ideal book for curious young readers everywhere. 
READERS LOVE UNLOCKING THE UNIVERSE: 
"Despite its scientific content the essays are written in a very accessible style and the many topics investigated which range from the physical explanations of the universe to earth science to robotics and future predictions. Highly recommended for curious minds from around 10 years upwards" - Sue Warren, Blogger 
"My 9 y.o. loves this book. We've previously discussed a lot of the concepts, but this seems to answer questions I hadn't thought of, but my son wanted to know" 
"A glorious scientific gaze at our world, and the universe beyond in a fact-filled volume that will keep curious kids occupied for ages" - ReadItDaddy blog 
"An excellent book that will do wonders to raise enthusiasm for science among young and old readers alike" - Jonali Karmakar, Blogger

A glorious scientific gaze at our world, and the universe beyond in a fact-filled volume that will keep curious kids occupied for ages

A useful addition to any library catering to upper primary or lower secondary students.

Despite it's scientific content the essays are written in a very accessible style and the many topics investigated which range from the physical explanations of the universe to earth science to robotics and future predictions. Highly recommended for curious minds from around 10 years upwards.

An excellent book that will do wonders to raise enthusiasm for science among young and old readers alike.

An amazing book. It was a binge read, really - perfect for both parents and kids! It shouldn't be considered a "children's book" - it's also good for adults that want to learn more about science and don't have a background, as it's basically like a usual Hawking book, but a bit more simplified.

I highly recommend this book to everybody,

Stephen Hawking (Author) 
 STEPHEN HAWKING was a brilliant theoretical physicist, generally considered to have been one of the world's greatest thinkers. He was Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and is the author of A Brief History of Time which was an international bestseller. His other books for the general reader include A Briefer History of Time, the essay collection Black Holes and Baby Universe, The Universe in a Nutshell, and Brief Answers to the Big Questions. 
He died on 14 March, 2018. 
 
Lucy Hawking (Author) 
 LUCY HAWKING is a children's writer, the co-creator of non-fiction compendium Unlocking the Universe and the George fiction series, with her father Stephen Hawking. Lucy is a former journalist, having written widely for British newspapers, and she gives regular talks about science and stories to audiences all over the world.

"A glorious scientific gaze at our world, and the universe beyond in a fact-filled volume that will keep curious kids occupied for ages" - ReadItDaddy blog 
 
"An excellent book that will do wonders to raise enthusiasm for science among young and old readers alike" - Jonali Karmakar, Blogger 
 
"Despite it's scientific content the essays are written in a very accessible style and the many topics investigated which range from the physical explanations of the universe to earth science to robotics and future predictions. Highly recommended for curious minds from around 10 years upwards" - Sue Warren, Blogger 
 
Have you ever wondered how the universe began? Or what it takes to put humans on the moon - or even on Mars? What would you do if you could travel through space and time? 
 
*NOW WITH BRAND NEW CONTENT FOR 2021* 
 
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this beautiful collection of up-to-the-minute essays mind-blowing facts and out-of-this-world colour photographs, by the world's leading scientists including Professor Stephen Hawking himself, curated by the brilliant Lucy Hawking.

Abridged Edition

Penguin Readers Level 5: Unlocking the Universe (ELT Graded Reader)

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. 
 
Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. 
 
The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. 
 
Visit the Penguin Readers website 
Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys. 
 
Unlocking the Universe takes us on a journey through space and time. It starts 13.8 billion years ago with the Big Bang, which led to the stars, the planets and our Solar System. Then it explores our Solar System and other solar systems - the ones we know, and others we have yet to find.

STEPHEN HAWKING was a brilliant theoretical physicist, generally considered to have been one of the world's greatest thinkers. He was Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and is the author of A Brief History of Time which was an international bestseller. His other books for the general reader include A Briefer History of Time, the essay collection Black Holes and Baby Universe, The Universe in a Nutshell, and Brief Answers to the Big Questions. 
He died on 14 March, 2018.

With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. 
 
Unlocking the Universe, a Level 5 Reader, is B1 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing present perfect continuous, past perfect, reported speech and second conditional. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly. 
 
Unlocking the Universe takes us on a journey through space and time. It starts 13.8 billion years ago with the Big Bang, which led to the stars, the planets and our Solar System. Then it explores our Solar System and other solar systems - the ones we know, and others we have yet to find.

George's Secret Key to the Universe

The first in the global smash-hit George series written by Lucy Hawking and her father, Professor Stephen Hawking. Out-of-this-universe space adventures, plus exclusive, real-life information from the world's leading scientists - including Professor Hawking himself. Perfect for any curious mind.

It is like a Dr Who adventure, inspiring curiosity and amazement. It makes a case for the relevance and fascination of physics, and for the importance of scientists and eco-warriors working together to save the planet. With a happy circularity, the plot depends on a recent discovery: Hawking Radiation, the leaking of particles out of black holes until they destroy themselves

A true beginner's guide to A Brief History of Time

A terrific page-turner that will be a revelation to every young reader who has ever looked into the skies and wondered

Stephen Hawking (Author) 
 STEPHEN HAWKING was a brilliant theoretical physicist and is generally considered to have been one of the world's greatest thinkers. He held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge for thirty years and is the author of A Brief History of Time which was an international bestseller. His other books for the general reader include A Briefer History of Time, the essay collection Black Holes and Baby Universe, The Universe in a Nutshell, The Grand Design, and Black Holes: The BBC Reith Lectures. 
He died on 14 March, 2018. 
 
Lucy Hawking (Author) 
 LUCY HAWKING is the original creator of the George series. She works with world leading scientists, including her co-author and father, Stephen Hawking, to explain complex concepts of science through story telling to young readers. A former journalist, she has written widely for British newspapers. Lucy now gives regular talks about the science and stories of the George series to audiences all over the world.

George's pet pig breaks through the fence into the garden next door - introducing him to his new neighbours: the scientist, Eric, his daughter, Annie, and a super-intelligent computer called Cosmos. 
 
And from that moment George's life will never be the same again, for Cosmos can open a portal to any point in outer space . . . 
 
Written by science educator Lucy Hawking and her father - the most famous scientist in the world - and illustrated by Garry Parsons, George's Secret Key to the Universe will take you on a rollercoaster ride through space to discover the mysteries of our universe.

George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt

The second out-of-this-world adventure from Lucy Hawking and her father, Professor Stephen Hawking.

Stephen Hawking (Author) STEPHEN HAWKING was a brilliant theoretical physicist and is generally considered to have been one of the world's greatest thinkers. He held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge for thirty years and is the author of A Brief History of Time which was an international bestseller. His other books for the general reader include A Briefer History of Time, the essay collection Black Holes and Baby Universe, The Universe in a Nutshell, The Grand Design, and Black Holes: The BBC Reith Lectures. 
He died on 14 March, 2018. Lucy Hawking (Author) LUCY HAWKING is the original creator of the George series. She works with world leading scientists, including her co-author and father, Stephen Hawking, to explain complex concepts of science through story telling to young readers. A former journalist, she has written widely for British newspapers. Lucy now gives regular talks about the science and stories of the George series to audiences all over the world.

'We are going,' said Annie, 'on a great cosmic journey. So listen up, Savers of Planet Earth, and prepare to meet the Universe.' 
 
George's best friend Annie needs help. Her scientist father, Eric, is working on a space project - and it's all going wrong. A robot has landed on Mars, but is behaving very oddly. And now Annie has discovered something wierd on her dad's super-computer. 
 
Is it a message from an alien? Could there be life out there? How do you find a planet in outer space? And if you could talk to aliens, what would you say?

George and the Big Bang

The third out-of-this-world adventure from Lucy Hawking and her father, Professor Stephen Hawking - the most famous science genius in the Universe! Plus there's exclusive, real-life information from the world's leading scientists - including Professor Hawking himself. Perfect for any curious mind.

This gripping adventure sets your mind racing from the very first page. Add to that the equally as fascinating scientific facts provided by Stephen Hawking and what you have is a really great book to read

World famous scientist Stephen Hawking and his daughter Lucy have created a third amazing adventure cleverly blended with real science. A trip to the world famous Large Hadron Collider gives George and his friend Annie the chance to find out about the Big Bang, the very first moments of the earth’s creation at first hand

Meet George. He's an ordinary boy with an incredible secret - the power to go on intergalactic adventures! 
 
Join him as he battles a sinister rebel-scientist, who's hell bent on sabotaging the most exciting - and dangerous - experiment of the century. 
 
A deadly bomb is ticking. The whole world is watching. Can George stop the second big bang? 
 
Featuring the latest scientific theories - plus all-new content about the Higgs boson!

George and the Unbreakable Code

George and his friend Annie now face a whole new space challenge! From Lucy Hawking and her father, Professor Stephen Hawking.

[I] had to read it in one afternoon because I had a serious case of can’t-put-it-down . . . Just as thrilling a book as all the ones before it.

Veritably perfect for any young space-lover . . . I can only imagine how enthralling it must seem for the young space enthusiasts.

George and his best friend Annie haven't had any space adventures for a while and they're missing the excitement. But not for long . . . 
 
Seriously strange things start happening. Banks are handing out free money; supermarkets can’t charge for their produce so people are getting free food; and aircraft are refusing to fly. It looks like the world's biggest and best computers have all been hacked. 
 
George and Annie will travel further into space than ever before in order to find out who is behind it.

Xin Li

Lucy Hawking

Stephen Hawking

'We are all time-travellers, journeying togetehr into the future. Be brave. Be determined. Let's work together to make that future a place we want to visit.' 
 
Based on Professor Hawking's 2018 Earth Day address, this inspiring picture asks children everywhere to look up and wonder at the world around them - just as Professor Hawking did his whole life. Including questions and answers to some big science topics, perfectly explained for young readers by Professor Hawking's daughter, Lucy, and beautifully illustrated by Xin Li, this is the perefct read for curious minds.

Stephen Hawking

You and the Universe

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