ReadItDaddy's First Book of the Week - Week Ending 18th November 2016 - "The Ultimate Book of Space" by Anne-Sophie Baumann and Olivier Latyk (Twirl Publishing)

Our First Book of the Week this week shows that the French not only rule at producing awesome comics and children's fiction, they produce glorious non-fiction books too! "The Ultimate Book of Space" by Anne-Sophie Baumann and Olivier Latyk...
Arriving with the most exquisite timing, the very day after Charlotte went to the Albert Hall to see Tim Peake and Tim Kopra talk about their adventures in space, the glorious "The Ultimate Book of Space" is easily one of the most impressive books for younger children about space, rockets, astronauts and space stations that we've ever seen.

I don't say this lightly - After all, we're very lucky to see a LOT of space books on the blog (and that doesn't mean we don't want to see more - we LOVE THEM very much!)

It takes something rather special to make a children's non-fiction book about space stand out in a crowded market and Twirl Publishing have translated a book that was first published in France earlier in the year, bringing it to the English-Speaking market and we're so very glad they did.

"The Ultimate Book of Space" uses interaction and immersion via lift-the-flaps and pop-up sections, and lots of encouragement to learn through play in each page spread.

BUT (and this is the most important bit) it does not talk down, it does not use babyish language, it dishes up amazing space fact after amazing space fact in the most engaging and attractive way.

Glorious rockets, mighty and powerful. Just one of the page spreads inside this gorgeous book!

Though the book is pitched at younger kids, the age range is fairly large (unusual for a book of this ilk) so it's a fine fit for 5-7 year olds and beyond.

It goes without saying that Charlotte's favourite bit was having her own mini version of Tim Peake doing an EVA to play with!

Stunningly illustrated throughout, brilliantly written and translated. If you want a 'Wow' book for your little space cadets to add to their Christmas stocking list, this is it!

Charlotte's best bit: Having her very own Tim Peake to play with, performing a daring EVA outside the International Space Station

Daddy's favourite bit: This book is stunning. Tons of space facts and historical references, bundles of brilliant little interactive bits (lift the flaps, brilliant paper mechanics), it's stratospherically good this! Stop gaping, go buy, simple as that!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Abrams / Twirl)

"The Ultimate Book of Space"

Written by Anne-Sophie Baumann

Illustrated by Olivier Latyk

Published by Twirl Publishing

Publication Date: 25th October 2016