Award-winning scientist and BBC broadcaster Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock (MBE) is here to answer all the questions curious kids will ever have about the Universe. How long would it take me to fly to a star? What would happen if I fell inside a black hole? Would I get a phone signal in space? From whether there are rainbows on other planets to what dinner tastes like on the International Space Station, this book is packed full of fabulous facts, mind-blowing insights and engaging explanations from the renowned space scientist. Written in Dr Maggie's fun, accessible style, and featuring out-of-this-world illustrations throughout, it's guaranteed to bring the wonders of space and science to life for young readers. Publishing in the UK in time for World Space Week (4th-10th October 2022).

Join space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock (MBE) as she embarks on a fascinating tour of the Solar System.

Embark on a mind-blowing visual journey and visit the most magnificent sights and spectacles outer space has to offer. From the celestial bodies that surround us and their incredible characteristics, to the many moons, asteroids, comets, space stations and satellites that hover beyond the stratosphere, this epic tour leaves no question unanswered and no meteorite unturned.

Just how much would it cost to colonise Mars? Could a terrestrial animal survive on the blistering-hot surface of Venus? What does the future of space travel have to offer and where are we going next?

Dr Maggie's Grand Tour of the Solar System takes readers on the trip of a light-speed lifetime - from the proximity of the surface of our very own planet to the furthest sectors of the Solar System.

Quick facts:

The tallest mountain in the Solar System can be found on Mars. Called Olympus Mons, it's a whopping 21.2 km tall.

Mars is covered in rust. If you get a chance to look at Mars with a telescope or binoculars, you'll notice its deep red colour. The colour is caused by a chemical compound known as iron oxide, also called rust.

Mars would be a brilliant place to play basketball. The force of gravity is much weaker on Mars than it is on Earth. As a result, a human could jump at least two and a half times higher as a Martian.

Two children become friends.

Build your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right level Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available. Nothing mysterious happens in Puggle ... that is until Dev finds a pebble - a pebble with a painting and the word "HELP" on it. Intrigue builds as more and more pebbles appear around the village. Who keeps sending them? And why? Join Dev and his friends as they seek to solve the Pebble Puzzle in this humorous mystery story by Ali Sparkes. White Plus/Band 10+ books provide challenging plots and vocabulary as well as opportunities to practise inference, prediction and reading stamina. Pages 46 and 47 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall. Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.

Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available. Nobody at Puggle School would ever believe Katy’s phobia. Some of her friends are scared of spiders. Some of them are scared of snakes. But no-one is scared of a kitten! Katy can’t even think about a kitten without breaking out in goose bumps. It would be OK if only her best friend hadn’t invited Katy to come and play after school… and meet Fluffy! How can Katy get over her fear? Will everyone think she’s totally weird if she tells them? Perhaps she’d be surprised by the fears they have if she ever did … This story about overcoming fears is written by Ali Sparkes. White Plus/Band 10+ books provide challenging plots and vocabulary as well as opportunities to practise inference, prediction and reading stamina. Pages 46 and 47 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall. Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.

We are living in a golden age of astronomy and space exploration, with more discoveries about the universe every day. With so many possibilities now open to us, revered science writers Michael E. Bakich and David J. Eicher will take young readers on a journey to the throughout the universe in this latest edition of A Child's Introduction series. Perfect for budding explorers aged 8-12, Bakich and Eicher explore the history of space exploration from the very first rocket in China, to the moon landing, to the latest missions to Mars (and beyond). They also include profiles of noteworthy scientists, engineers, and astronauts including Isaac Newton, Neil Armstrong, Mae Carol Jemison; fun sections on space food, UFOs, a timeline of space suits, and how to go to the bathroom in space; and STEM experiments like how to build your own rocket and how to tell time using the sun. Packed with dozens of NASA photos and charming original illustrations, and a pull-out poster, this fascinating book reveals the wonders of space exploration-past, present and future!