Your Place in the Universe - by Jason Chin

About the Book

"A non-fiction introduction to the massive scale of the known universe"--

Book Synopsis

Explore the known Universe and consider its mind-boggling scale in this crisply illustrated, well-researched picture book from Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin.

Winner of the Cook Prize!
Now available in paperback.

Most eight-year-olds are about five times as tall as this book . . . but only half as tall as an ostrich, which is half as tall as a giraffe . . . twenty times smaller than a California Redwood! How do they compare to the tallest buildings? To Mt. Everest? To stars, galaxy clusters, and . . . the universe?

Jason Chin, the award-winning author and illustrator of Grand Canyon has once again found a way to make a complex subject--size, scale and almost unimaginable distance--accessible and understandable to readers of all ages. Meticulously researched and featuring the highly detailed artwork for which he is renowned, this is How Much is a Million for the new millenium, sure to be an immediate hit with kids looking for an engaging way to delve into perspective, astronomy, and astrophysics. Curious readers will love the extensive supplementary material included in the back of the back of the book

An American Library Association Notable Children's Book

A New England Book Award Finalist
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year

Review Quotes

★ "A stimulating outing to the furthest reaches of our knowledge, certain to inspire deep thoughts."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "People of all ages will want to pore over the captivating artwork and think about the relationship between size and space. . . . A fascinating book that is as informative as it is marvelously absorbing."--School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ "Complex concepts (such as local galaxy groups and super clusters) are clearly defined throughout in simple captions elucidating Chin's watercolor and gouache art. . . . Extensive back matter delves deep into current understandings of the size, age, and complexity of the universe. Sources are listed along with child-friendly websites for further exploration of the big and small ideas presented in this out-of-this-world science picture book."--The Horn Book, Starred Review

★ "Page-turn cliffhangers build a pleasing buzz of suspense as Caldecott Honoree Chin (Grand Canyon) adroitly guides readers from ostriches to redwood trees, past skyscrapers and Mount Everest . . . Chin's realistic watercolor and gouache illustrations render awestruck children and cosmic shimmer with inimitable skill, and a magnificent spread comparing Mount Everest's mass to that of human-built structures is likely to draw gasps."--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"As always, Chin is a stickler for details (the book was vetted by two Harvard astrophysicists); all illustrations are shown to scale with the exception of one or two final entities that would otherwise spread beyond the page. A worthy addition to STEM literature; concluded with generous back matter."--Booklist

About the Author

Jason Chin is a celebrated author and illustrator of children's books. He received the Caldecott Medal for his illustrations in Andrea Wang's Watercress, a Newbery Honor book and APALA award winner. He illustrated Nine Months, by Miranda Paul, and wrote and illustrated Grand Canyon, awarded a Caldecott Honor, a Sibert Honor, and the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award. His other nonfiction titles, including Redwoods, Island: A story of the Galápagos, Coral Reefs, and Gravity, have received numerous starred reviews and other accolades. Jason lives in Vermont with his wife, Deirdre Gill, and their children.