Big Ideas, Little Pictures - by Jono Hey (Hardcover)

About the Book

This fun, compelling book provides easily understood insights into complex issues through a combination of clear sketches and charts and simple, easy-to-understand text.

Book Synopsis

"This is such a cool book. The range of Jono's knowledge is astounding, and so is his ability to digest complex ideas into deceptively simple drawings. You'll learn something on every page―and be entertained too." ―Bill Gates

In Big Ideas, Little Pictures, Jono Hey -- creator of the popular website Sketchplanations -- explains complex concepts through simple sketches and straightforward, easy-to-understand text.

Have you ever wondered what makes autumn leaves change color, why more choice makes you less happy or how to win at Monopoly? Or maybe you'd like to learn how to find your way using the stars or why we need worry less about what others think of us than you might expect. In Big Ideas Little Pictures, Jono Hey does the hard work for you by distilling fascinating and surprising topics into delightful and memorable sketches. Inside, you'll find insight and entertainment covering everything from the Swiss cheese model to what makes a perfect night's sleep.

Big Ideas, Little Pictures is also a light-hearted, witty gift - the perfect display piece for anyone who wants something that can be picked up and flipped through, knowing they'll find something to pique their interest.

Perfect for children as well as adults, Big Ideas, Little Pictures opens up a world of fascinating facts at a glance.

Review Quotes

"This is such a cool book. The range of Jono's knowledge is astounding, and so is his ability to digest complex ideas into deceptively simple drawings. You'll learn something on every page--and be entertained too."
--Bill Gates

"Big Ideas, Little Pictures is a magical collection of ideas, concepts, and wisdom--some that I've wondered about and others that I've never thought about before--presented in a clear visual way that makes Jono's sketchplanations a joy to read, reference, and share. It's a fantastic book!"
-- Mike Rohde, bestselling author of The Sketchnote Handbook and illustrator of REWORK

"Brilliant! It distills a variety of complex and profound ideas into simple to understand and beautifully drawn sketches."
--Richard Shotton, author of The Choice Factory

"Big Ideas Little Pictures is the kind of book that I want to devour all at once, with his brilliantly efficient illustrations breaking down complex ideas--but that I make myself ration to a few pages per day, to give myself time to absorb everything. Either way, it's the best bet I have to make myself seem more interesting as a dinner party guest."
--Brendan Leonard, creator at Semi-rad and author of Make It: 50 Myths and Truths About Creating

"Jono's delightful book is a fantastic blend of text and visuals, making the topics easy to understand and remember. I found myself eager to turn each page, learning things I had never known before. I love this book and recommend it to anyone looking to enrich their knowledge at super speed with some creativity and fun."
--Jason Barron, author of The Visual MBA

"I'm an enormous fan of the wonderful way Jono's sketches bring scientific insights to life for a wide audience."
-- Katy Milkman, Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and author of the international bestseller How to Change

"As the world becomes more complex and fraught, the more we need clear and honest pictures to show us a better way. In his marvelous book, Big Ideas, Little Pictures, Jono Hey gives us the pictures we need. Whether exploring the size of the universe, unpacking the paradox of choice, or illuminating the pure joy of the Golden Ratio, Jono's brilliant sketches make everything make more sense. I can't think of a better gift for my mind, and yours."
--Dan Roam, international bestselling author of The Back of the Napkin and Draw To Win

"I've loved following Sketchplanations for years. And finally, Jono has brought it all together in this wonderful book. Keep a copy in your home and show it to everyone who comes over."
--Trenton Moss, bestselling author of Human Powered and Founder of Team Sterka

"I love this book. It will delight adults, fascinate children and help us all to grasp important ideas... Want to understand the four horsemen of relationship apocalypse? Or different types of phishing? Or the ten essentials for wilderness safety? Jono Hey's explanations are brief and clear - but it's his pictures that stick in your head. Every time you turn over a page, there's something new. I can't wait to try out the instructions for skipping rocks like a pro and taking better photographs - and I'll certainly take up the Dracula sneeze."
--Gillian Cross, Multi-award-winning children's book author

"Big Ideas, Little Pictures by Jono Hey is a beautiful and powerful book at the same time. On each page, Jono visualises a complex concept into a clear, engaging little drawing. His sketches don't just simplify ideas, they bring them to life and make them understandable at a glance. This large collection of concepts, scientific findings and interesting frameworks is delightful and a real testament to the power of communicating through simple visuals. This body of work is even more impressive as it was created by Jono over years of drawing one concept per week. As a fellow visual thinker I'm in love with this wonderful book. It's a joy to dive in at any page, to get drawn in by the pictures and to learn a new fact with every turn of the page."
--Eva-Lotta Lamm, Designer and Visual Thinker

About the Author

Jono Hey (Jonathan Hey) is the founder and creative engine behind Sketchplanations, a popular website with a broad social media following on which Hey aims to explain everything he knows about the universe and our place in it with a new sketch each week. When he's not unlocking the secrets of our existence, he's the Chief Product Officer for Zen Educate. He lives in London, England.