A Small Illustrated Guide to the Universe

by Ella Frances Sanders

From the New York Times bestselling creator of Lost in Translation, A Small Illustrated Guide to the Universe is a delicately existential and welcoming exploration of the cosmos - one that examines and marvels at the astonishing principles, laws, and phenomena that we exist alongside, that surround us.

Have you ever found yourself wondering what we might have in common with stars or why the Moon never leaves us? Thinking about the precise dancing of planets, the passing of time or the nature of natural things?

Our world is full of unshakeable mystery, and although we live in a civilisation more complicated than ever, there is beauty and reassurance to be found in knowing how and why.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Audiobook

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2019

About the author

Ella Frances Sanders is a New York Times and internationally-bestselling author and illustrator of five books about languages, science, and beauty. She is the designer for Orion Magazine, and also writes a column within its pages called 'Root Catalog'. She lives in the Highlands of Scotland and is currently preparing for the publication of her 6th book.

Reviews

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You see, you are not so soft after all. You are rock and wave and the peeling bark of trees, you are ladybirds and the smell of a garden after the rain. When you put your best foot forward, you are taking the north side of a mountain with you."

This book was beautifully written, delicately existential and very close to perfect. If I were to describe this book in a few words they would be: endearing, cozy and lovely.

I love reading non-fiction, learning more about the world around us one topic at a time. But I often find non-fiction to be dry or written in a clinical, unemotional way. This book took the common trap of the genre and flipped it on its head.

Despite the fact that I listened to the audiobook and did not get to experience the "illustrated" element, it was stunning in its own right. Going on a walk through nature while listening to the book was the perfect way to experience it.

Admittedly, a lot of the science in the book was of a basic level. If you have a science education over high school level you will probably already know most of what is described. But that surprisingly didn't bother me. It was instead the way that the facts were communicated that made it so enjoyable.

Ella Frances Sanders took everyday occurrences and facts of life and framed them in a unique and often beautiful way. It was almost like I was learning all these things for the first time again, feeling the awe and wonder of the world around us.

I would recommend this book to almost anyone. If you like non-fiction- read it, it's refreshing and new. If you don't normally- read it, it is written in such a lyrical and poetic way that it is nothing like the textbooks you had to read in school. Overall, read this book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, concise, accessible and just perfect.

Science made available to everyone is something that is precious. We all deserve to know and understand the world and universe around us.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Balthazaar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and recommend it to anyone with even a tiny interest in space or science or starry skies. It does really give a sense of the amazing improbability of the world. The narrator was a little two wide eyed at times for me, and I don’t subscribe fully to the idea that humans aren’t special (that lets us off the hook in so many ways, and hides our light under a bushel) but it’s a great introduction to all the wonders of the world. Recommend.

[Laura Martens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book to read at the moment! Super interesting on the one hand, but also very sweet and wonderfully hopeful, a genuinely uplifting read!

[Jim Fettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You see, you are not so soft after all. You are rock and wave and the peeling bark of trees, you are ladybirds and the smell of a garden after the rain. When you put your best foot forward, you are taking the north side of a mountain with you."

What a true pleasure Sanders takes us on in her lovingly illustrated, fact-stuffed prose. I was hooked right from the first vignette, featuring the above paragraph so stuffed with warmth I could burst. Learning is and should always be a joy, and Sanders fuses facts with philosophy, poetry with the planets, in a way we rarely have the joy of seeing.

[Xena Haynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated guide to the universe. This book involves all kinds of science in bite sized chunks. That any reader can follow along with the illustrations are also very nice to look at as you read along. You may not come away knowing everything but you'll at least come away knowing something and be that much happier you did. While I'm not much of a non-fiction reader I couldn't help but pick this up. Out of curiosity that thankfully didn't kill my cat.

[Stefania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and interesting reading about the Universe, the Earth and us. The chapters are short, one and a half page, so the topic doesn’t get “too heavy” and it’s easy to comprehend. Cute illustrations.

[Umbar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insanely cute

[Catface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stocking filler or book to have anywhere where you want to be distracted briefly.

[Tonya Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet-as magic nature science that fuses heart and head.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this – incredible snippets about everything around us. Fascinating!

[Miriam Quiñones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, short but beautifully written
I recommend it to young audiences

[Jeremy Blank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little bite size sections. A couple of more obviously personal statements spoilt what was otherwise a refreshing and stimulating read.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both the text and the illustrations are beautiful. It's meant for older children, but adults will enjoy just as much

[Roan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book! The writing is so beautiful and poetic, full of fascinating information. It was really enjoyable to read and I'm glad I found this little gem.