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Meet the Universe
I'm a Neutrino: Tiny Particles in a Big Universe
An accessible and visually arresting picture book about one of the universe's most mysterious particles for the youngest scientific minds.
Before you finish reading this sentence, trillions upon trillions of neutrinos will have passed through your body. Not sure what a neutrino is? Get an up-close-and-personal introduction in this dazzling picture book from MIT Kids Press, told in lilting rhyme from the neutrino’s point of view and filled with mind-bending, full-bleed illustrations that swirl and splash the cosmos to life. Some of the smallest bits of matter known to exist—and they exist everywhere—neutrinos are inspiring cutting-edge and Nobel Prize–winning research. Here, playful text and watercolor illustrations blended with photographs distill the concept of these mysterious particles down to its essence. “Know Your Neutrinos” end notes provide context for each spread, amplifying the science and making complex astrophysics and physics concepts approachable. This indispensable STEM title urges children to dream of contributing their own discoveries.
Before you finish reading this sentence, trillions upon trillions of neutrinos will have passed through your body. Not sure what a neutrino is? Get an up-close-and-personal introduction in this dazzling picture book from MIT Kids Press, told in lilting rhyme from the neutrino’s point of view and filled with mind-bending, full-bleed illustrations that swirl and splash the cosmos to life. Some of the smallest bits of matter known to exist—and they exist everywhere—neutrinos are inspiring cutting-edge and Nobel Prize–winning research. Here, playful text and watercolor illustrations blended with photographs distill the concept of these mysterious particles down to its essence. “Know Your Neutrinos” end notes provide context for each spread, amplifying the science and making complex astrophysics and physics concepts approachable. This indispensable STEM title urges children to dream of contributing their own discoveries.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published March 22, 2022
About the author
Eve M. Vavagiakis
3 books1 followerEve M. Vavagiakis holds a PhD in physics from Cornell University. A space enthusiast since childhood, she now works in experimental cosmology as part of the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, CCAT-prime, CMB-S4, and Simons Observatory collaborations to build instrumentation and study the oldest light in the universe. She also codirects the high energy physics reader’s digest blog ParticleBites. Eve M. Vavagiakis lives in Ithaca, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 25, 2022
This children's picture book introduces the idea of neutrinos to young readers in a simple way. The text is in rhyme, and the illustrations help the reader to visualize an imagined concept of neutrinos even though they are so small that we can't see them.
Neutrinos can pass right through us all the time because they don't have an electrical charge, so they don't interact with matter in the same way that other particles do. Scientists are still studying neutrinos and learning more about how they work. This book encourages the reader to someday study physics and maybe make their own discoveries!
Since the author is a physicist themselves, the information appears to be reliable and accurate. I appreciated the scientific integrity in the wording of some of the theories presented.
I loved the cute artwork! The bright colors are attractive, and each page illustrates something interesting about neutrinos. At the back of the book, there are more detailed explanations about some of the properties of neutrinos and how physicists are studying them.
I actually learned some new things from this book! This would be such a great gift for any kids who are interested in science.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Neutrinos can pass right through us all the time because they don't have an electrical charge, so they don't interact with matter in the same way that other particles do. Scientists are still studying neutrinos and learning more about how they work. This book encourages the reader to someday study physics and maybe make their own discoveries!
Since the author is a physicist themselves, the information appears to be reliable and accurate. I appreciated the scientific integrity in the wording of some of the theories presented.
I loved the cute artwork! The bright colors are attractive, and each page illustrates something interesting about neutrinos. At the back of the book, there are more detailed explanations about some of the properties of neutrinos and how physicists are studying them.
I actually learned some new things from this book! This would be such a great gift for any kids who are interested in science.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
January 25, 2022
I got to read an ARC of this book since I work at a bookstore and I can't wait to start recommending it to people! The illustrations are gorgeous and its such a great intro for kids on neutrinos in a way that's easy for them to understand.
November 21, 2022
IT RHYMES! I love a great book about science and space that rhymes. Neutrinos are the latest tiniest particle discovered in the last 20 years! This picture book does a great job explaining what it is and how much more we don't now about them.
March 26, 2022
In first-person rhyming text a neutrino introduces itself and its role in the universe.
The illustrations are really eye-catching, and they do a nice job of highlighting the mysterious nature of neutrinos as well as the work of the scientists who study them.
The rhyme in this book is really rough to read aloud. Rhyme is too cutesy for an informational book to beign with; to have the rhyme feel so awkward is an even bigger disappointment. I'm not sure I'd read a book about neutrinos at story time in any case, but I definitely would not read this one.
If you really need a book about the neutrino, the information in this one does seem sound despite the poorly executed attempt at poetry. After reading Ada and the Galaxies by Alan Lightman, published by MIT Kids Press in 2021, I had extremely high hopes for this book. Since these are the only two books out so far from this imprint, I can only hope that future titles will be more like the first book and less like this second one.
I received a finished review copy of I'm a Neutrino from MIT Kids Press/Candlewick in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations are really eye-catching, and they do a nice job of highlighting the mysterious nature of neutrinos as well as the work of the scientists who study them.
The rhyme in this book is really rough to read aloud. Rhyme is too cutesy for an informational book to beign with; to have the rhyme feel so awkward is an even bigger disappointment. I'm not sure I'd read a book about neutrinos at story time in any case, but I definitely would not read this one.
If you really need a book about the neutrino, the information in this one does seem sound despite the poorly executed attempt at poetry. After reading Ada and the Galaxies by Alan Lightman, published by MIT Kids Press in 2021, I had extremely high hopes for this book. Since these are the only two books out so far from this imprint, I can only hope that future titles will be more like the first book and less like this second one.
I received a finished review copy of I'm a Neutrino from MIT Kids Press/Candlewick in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2022
Curious as to what a neutrino is, I Googled for a definition. Below is a screenshot of the online definition which tends to make this grandmother ponder why this is the subject matter for a kid's picturebook. But I do recognize the ability of young minds to grasp more than previously thought. As a MIT Kid's Press publication the high IQ and scientific density of such a picture book is understandable.
These super tiny particles are depicted as quirky little "critters" populating the world around us and beyond to the furthest galaxy. This is a little understood particle that physicists are learning more about as time goes along.
So what's the purpose in introducing such material to a "picture book audience"? I'm thinking that simple introduction of terminology in an environment children understand begins to lay groundwork for future educational experiences. And while not a totally "fun" it can conceivably be enjoyed by those for whom it is intended. The back matter provided is interesting for those wishing to further pursue some information on neutrinos.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
These super tiny particles are depicted as quirky little "critters" populating the world around us and beyond to the furthest galaxy. This is a little understood particle that physicists are learning more about as time goes along.
So what's the purpose in introducing such material to a "picture book audience"? I'm thinking that simple introduction of terminology in an environment children understand begins to lay groundwork for future educational experiences. And while not a totally "fun" it can conceivably be enjoyed by those for whom it is intended. The back matter provided is interesting for those wishing to further pursue some information on neutrinos.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
March 22, 2022
With imaginative paintings and brief rhyming couplets, Dr. Eve M. Vavagiakis introduces the neutrino to a young audience. Each page shares different parts about them, like what they look like, how very tiny they are, and more. (also in Ilze Lemesis, the illustrator's imagination). Information is added at the back for each double-page spread, plus a list for further exploration. If one is interested in our universe, this will be a basic start. Illustrations show parts of our amazing universe, including people!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy.
April 3, 2022
Two reads and I'm still struggling with the poetry scan and rhymes, let alone the science. The backmatter explanations help, but I'd rather forgo the rhyming couplets and have some of that information included in the text of the story for easier understanding of the subject. This is the second picture book I've seen from mit Kids Press recently and I'm eager to see more.
April 3, 2022
The illustrations are gorgeous but the subject is such a complex physics concept that it seems an odd choice for such young readers. Vavagiakis makes a gallant effort but I don't think this one is really successful at making the idea really understandable.
August 24, 2022
Explores an interesting physics concept with a combination of reality and imagination. Detailed rich illustrations.
June 10, 2023
Fun and informative
August 3, 2025
An excellent look at this particle for young physics lovers. The author did a great job making the topic accessible.
July 17, 2026
3.5 stars
February 19, 2023
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews