Oliver's Great Big Universe: the laugh-out-loud new illustrated series about school, space and everything in between!

By Author / Illustrator

Jorge Cham

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Simon & Schuster Children's Books

ISBN

9781398534988

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

18-07-2024

Synopsis

This hilarious new illustrated series will make you laugh-out-loud AND grow your brain. Perfect for readers age 8+ and fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and The 13-Storey Treehouse. 'Mind-expanding and hilarious!' Jeff Kinney, author of the bestselling DIARY OF A WIMPY KID series. 'A brainy guide to the barfs, farts and burps of Planet Earth.' The Times.

Hi, I'm Oliver! I know what you're thinking: what does an 11-year-old kid know about the universe? Am I a famous scientist? No. Am I a super-genius? Not really. I'm just trying to figure out the usual stuff: new school, new friends, how to avoid my annoying sister. But there's one thing that DOES make sense: science! Outer space is totally my thing and I can tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about awesome stuff like time-bending black holes; how the Big Bang is like a fart; and aliens! (Well, there could be aliens.)

From bestselling writer and robotics engineer Jorge Cham, Oliver's Great Big Universe is the first book in a STEM-themed, diary-style series. See also: Oliver's Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot (book 2).

'An absolute gem!' Lincoln Peirce, author of the bestselling series BIG NATE. 'A stellar confluence of comic episodes and cosmic information. In addition to brilliantly integrated comic moments - surprising plot twists add narrative pizzazz to a serious raft of data about the universe. An irresistibly entertaining introduction to astrophysics.' - Kirkus starred review

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Reviews

Natalie J

Oliver's Great Big Universe is the first title in the series about 11-year-old Oliver. The series follows in the footsteps of characters such as the Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates with its first-person, heavily illustrated, humorous diary-style format.

This book tells the story of Oliver's first few months at middle school in California, where he accidentally tells his science class how he wants to be an astro-physicist and is writing a book on the subject. His excited teacher wants him to share it with the class and so he starts producing a comic about the planets which, thanks to his tongue-in-cheek humour, simple explanations, and brilliant comparisons - comparing Mercury to a meatball, for example - becomes very popular.

Oliver's comic is included as part of the story and includes character biographies of each planet and little stories which explains their various features. From the Big Bang to the end of the universe, via black holes and dark energy, Oliver explains the lot in a very relatable, funny way, with plenty of illustrations which really enhance the humour and clear descriptions. The chapter about Oliver's universe-size disaster in pottery class is brilliant for its slapstick comedy.

The glossary not only refers the reader to the pages about serious scientific subjects but charmingly also to subjects like hamsters and comics. Oliver is a wonderfully engaging protagonist, and the book as a whole is a positive, heart-warming, enriching read.

256 pages / Reviewed by Natalie J McChrystal Plimmer, librarian