Oliver's Great Big Universe: Volcanoes are Hot!: A Times Children's Book of the Week

By Author / Illustrator

Jorge Cham

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Simon & Schuster Children's Books

ISBN

9781398520240

Format

Hardback

Published

26-09-2024

Synopsis

The second book in the hilarious series that makes you laugh-out-loud AND grows your brain. Perfect for readers age 8+ and fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and The 13-Storey Treehouse.

Hi, I'm Oliver! Writing a book has made me kind of a celebrity around school - no big deal. But does that mean everything is perfect? No way! I'm still trying to figure out the usual stuff: school cliques, weird family, and how to finally win the science fair. While I may know EVERYTHING about space, there's a lot to learn about the planet we live on, like: volcanic burps and bacteria farts; how the Earth's layers are like boba tea; and aliens! (Are we the aliens?)

From bestselling writer and robotics engineer Jorge Cham, Oliver's Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot! is the second book in a STEM-themed, diary-style series. See also: Oliver's Great Big Universe (book 1).

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Reviews

Natalie J

Oliver's Great Big Universe: Volcanoes are Hot! is the second title in Oliver’s Great Big Universe series. As with the first title, this cartoon-style illustrated diary of 11-year-old Oliver is not only very funny but also extremely detailed and informative; sort of a Wimpy Kid meets Horrible Science-style book.

Like the first book, a comic written by Oliver is included, this time introducing the types of rock as a music group. Oliver explores subjects such as continental drift, how weather is made, why seawater is salty, the layers of the atmosphere and the earth, and specifically how volcanoes are central to everything. I personally learnt new things and found the style of writing together with the tongue-in-cheek humour, illustrations, and relatable analogies made the book not just very readable but also enjoyable and thought-provoking.

I think science teachers could really use these books to garner students' interests. As with the previous title, there are links to further information, an index which nicely interweaves the factual and fictional elements by referring to scientific subjects for example waves and story events eg field trip, laugh-out-loud moments such as when Oliver is in the sea, and a sentimental but not sanctimonious ending which encourages the reader to take care of the earth and each other.

Oliver's Great Big Universe series is a joy to read and it can really aid specific subject knowledge and enthusiasm.

256 pages / Reviewed by Natalie J McChrystal Plimmer, librarian