Cosmo Park

When Kara reluctantly goes along to her older sister’s university open day with her cat Sandro little does she realise that she is about to step into an intergalactic adventure. Sandro accidentally activates a laser pointer, and they are swiftly transported to the Universal Nature Reserve on planet Sagbia. Here Kara meets cosmologist Professor Hayley Rubin and has a quick-fire introduction to the wonders of the universe, a tour in a space buggy and an unexpected space adventure has begun.

The Universal Nature Reserve is imaginatively conceived and very detailed story setting. It includes a black hole simulator, a string theory forest and even a gift shop.

In comic book format Cosmo Park is jam packed with a dizzying array of facts and data wrapped up in an engaging space adventure. Clear analogies are provided to gain insight into distances and the enormity of the universe. For example, did you know that if you travelled by car and drove as fast as you could to the sun it would take 150 years to get there!

It is a great introduction to our solar system, astronomical research and sophisticated scientific ideas such as the theory of relativity, readers of all ages are led to ponder existential questions such as how the universe will end, and even the definition of life itself. We find out about the life cycle of a star from a mini nebula to red giant, explore the mystery of black holes and gain an insight into the search for life beyond our solar system.

As you may have guessed the writer is a very enthusiastic scientist. She is also the author of Beetles for Breakfast and other weird and wonderful ways we could save the planet. Tom Dearie’s illustrations are a perfect fit. An engaging cover and an intriguing warning (may contain meteor showers, greedy black holes and space time secrets!) makes turning the pages of this graphic book to find out more irresistible.