Planets

by John Devolle, John Devolle (Illustrator)

Overview

A new paperback edition of the colorful, fun-filled adventure through the solar system, by the author of the Big Science for Little Minds series.

The perfect picture book to introduce little minds to big ideas!

Planets combines bold, colourful illustrations with jokes and incredible science facts to take young readers on a fun-filled journey across the solar system. On the way they will learn all about the planets, and find out the answers to such important questions as: Why does Venus smell so bad? Why aren't there many birthday parties on Neptune? and What would happen if you tried to eat your dinner on Mars?

Perfect for readers 4 and up, this exciting introduction to some mind-blowing concepts about space is the second book in the Big Science for Little Minds series, which also includes Atoms, Germs, and Brains. John Devolle combines his passion for science with his love of the visual arts to explain some of the big questions of life in an accessible way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782695219
Publisher:	Steerforth Press
Publication date:	08/05/2025
Series:	Big science for little minds
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	11.58(w) x 9.75(h) x 0.13(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

John Devolle studied Fine Art at the University of Westminster and has since run an art gallery in East London, been a graphic designer / art director, and, since 2010, worked as an illustrator on numerous children's books. John currently lives and works in Dublin.

Editorial Reviews

2022-10-12
A quick spin about the solar system shows why it’s a good idea just to stay home.

For all the blocky effervescence of his stylish illustrations, Devolle’s message is downright quelling: Mercury is too hot on one side and too cold on the other, Venus is all volcanoes “spewing out horrible, eggy, sulfurous smoke,” Jupiter has a huge storm, and all the other planets are likewise uninviting—except for Earth, which is the only one capable of supporting “life in all its many forms.” The author complements this premature and dismally narrow-minded claim with slapdash physics (neither prospective space explorers nor the spaghetti they might eat would float in midair on Mars, as the picture suggests) and a failure even to mention moons, asteroids, or any dwarf planets other than Pluto. A pink-skinned child and a canine sidekick serve as tour guides through the gallery of stylized planets and landscapes; most of the other occasionally appearing human figures are darker of hue. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Thin fare even for confirmed groundlings. (Informational picture book. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews