Title: Am I made of Stardust?

Written by: Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Illustrated by: Chelen Ecija and Jade Moore

Edited by: Frances Evans

Published by: Buster Books

Each double page spread of this hard-back, colourfully illustrated non-fiction book answers some of the greatest questions about space. It is packed with fabulous facts that will keep curious young minds engaged. The bold, eye-catching illustrations and backgrounds by Spanish illustrator Chelen Ecija will also keep young children flicking through the pages.

Author Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a space scientist and pioneering figure in communicating science to children and adults alike. She has inspired generations of astronauts, engineers and scientists to follow their dreams. Her expertise and love of all things space orientated materialises form every page. I also like the addition of her robot assistant IQ and the useful glossary at the back of the book to provide definitions and extend the children’s science vocabulary.

In Am I Made of Stardust? the secrets of the solar system are revealed. You can follow the life of the International Space Station, be amazed at how stars can change into planets and discover why we don’t live on other planets yet, what would happen if I fell into a black hole and how to become an astronaut.

Aimed at key stage two, the writing style is accessible for readers from about 7+. there are over seventy questions in total split into three chapters. Starting with the wider picture there is a section on The Universe. We get closer to home with a section on Our Solar System. Then closer still with the final chapter Humans in Space, which covers such subjects as current space exploration and developments in the future with questions like ‘Could we grow plants in other planets?’, ‘Could I use my phone in space?’ and ‘Will everyone be travelling to space in 100 years from now?’

Am I Made of Stardust? will make an ideal gift for any child fascinated by space and all it entails. Children will enjoy discovering Astro facts and phenomenal ideas to try at home, which will inspire enquiring readers to explore and discover more about the earth and beyond.

This book would also be a great addition in the classroom to support a topic on space and/or technology and would be perfect for World Space Week on the 4th -10th October 2022.

I would like to thank Alice Furse from Michael O’Mara Books for sending me a hard-back copy of Am I made of Stardust by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chelen Ecija to review on my blog.

For a change I am going to end this book review with a topical space joke:

Q. Why do restaurants on the moon get such bad reviews?

A. There’s no atmosphere.

Feel free to comment with some of your own space jokes.

I would like to thank Alice Furse from Michael O’Mara Books Limited for organising me a review copy.