Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?

First published in the US, and retaining a pleasant American tone, this book takes a look at what is 'the biggest thing there is' by starting with a blue whale and comparing it to Mount Everest, which is in turn shown in the context of Planet Earth ... and so on, until we reach the conclusion that we don't know of anything bigger than the Universe. The tone is informal and friendly, talking directly to the reader: 'How could anything be that big? How could anything be bigger?' and though the ideas of scale are very difficult to imagine, for an adult if not a child, this is an interesting and intriguing way to explore vastness. The book is well-presented on heavy shiny paper, illustrated with paintings varying from bright graphics of crates of 'sun-sized oranges' to beautiful colour-wash of the Universe. Quirky, fun, encouraging a sense of wonder rather than being a book of answers. A great antidote to some of the more didactic book around!