Stephen Hawking

May 10, 2019

PreS-Gr 2-Another volume from the "Little People, Big Dreams" series, Hawking's life story is told with playful illustrations in this new title. Vegara acknowledges Hawking's curiosity and yearning to learn more than what was taught in the classroom. From his childhood schooling to his education at Cambridge, through his ALS diagnosis to his continued research as an adult, the author succinctly describes Hawking's determination and achievements in language that will be relatable to young readers. This book shifts the focus away from his physical limitations and chooses to highlight his persistence to uncover the secrets of the universe. Hawking's continued dedication to knowledge led to enormous accomplishments and discoveries for the scientific community. A time line of Hawking's life, along with photographs and further reading recommendations accompany this worthwhile addition to the biography series for young readers. VERDICT A pleasant addition, recommended for public and elementary school libraries.-Mandy Simon, State Library of Ohio

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December 15, 2018
A first introduction to the greatest scientist of the past half-century.Hawking makes a worthy but not an easy subject for an elementary-grade profile, as the likelihood that younger audiences aren't really up on the ins and outs of quantum theory or gravitational singularities limits the author's tally of his scientific contributions to a mention (sans meaningful context) of "Hawking radiation." His other claim to fame, as an exemplar of the triumph of mind over physical disability, is far easier to grasp. For this, Hunt's cartoon-style illustrations of a smiling scientist with idealized features on an oversized head help reinforce the notion that, as Hawking put it, "However difficult life may seem, there is always something that you can do and succeed at." He leans on a cane before a wall of mathematical notations, takes his children for a spin on his wheelchair, and lectures to a rapt audience. The author (or an uncredited translator) uses some inept phrasing--a bald observation that eventually he "lost his voice and found a new one with a robotic drawl" can only leave readers confused, for instance. Illustrations of crowds place the white scientist among diverse gatherings. A closing note offers photos and a bit more detail plus a trio of titles for older readers.A timely if unpolished entry in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. (Picture book/biography. 5-7)

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