George's Secret Key to the Universe - by Stephen Hawking & Lucy Hawking (Hardcover)

About the Book

In his first book for children, the worlds preeminent theoretical physicist and author of "A Brief History of Time" teams with his daughter for a tale of a boy who befriends a computer that helps him to travel to other planets and a black hole. Includes four 8-page full-color inserts of scientific photos. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

Stephen Hawking, author of the multi-million copy bestselling A Brief History of Time, and his daughter Lucy explain the universe to readers of all ages. George's parents, who have always been wary of technology, warn him about their new neighbors: Eric is a scientist and his daughter, Annie, seems to be following in his footsteps. But when George befriends them and Cosmos, their super-computer, he finds himself on a wildly fun adventure, while learning about physics, time, and the universe. With Cosmos's help, he can travel to other planets and a black hole. But what would happen if the wrong people got their hands on Cosmos? George, Annie, and Eric aren't about to find out, and what ensues is a funny adventure that clearly explains the mysteries of science. Garry Parsons' energetic illustrations add humor and interest, and his scientific drawings add clarity; there are also eight 4-page full-color inserts of scientific photos.

Review Quotes

*"What better way to interest young readers in science...than for one of the world's most renowned theoretical physicists to put his subect at the center of a children's book?...A true beginnger's guide to A Brief History of Time."-- "Publishers Weekly, starred review"

"[An] entertaining read-aloud that integrates well-presented scientific facts and theories within a charmingly illustrated chapter book."-- "Booklist"

"A relief for the science-deficient parent in need of a little extra help."-- "New York Magazine"

"The book gets points for tackling the recurrent tension between environmentalism and science, but it succeeds first and foremost as a good old-fashioned adventure tale."-- "Natural History"

About the Author

Stephen Hawking was a brilliant theoretical physicist and is generally considered to have been one of the world's greatest thinkers. He held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge for thirty years and is the author of A Brief History of Time, which was an international bestseller. His other books for general readers include A Briefer History of Time, the essay collection Black Holes and Baby Universes, The Universe in a Nutshell, The Grand Design, and Black Holes: The BBC Reith Lectures, as well as the books in the George's Secret Key series. He died in 2018.

Lucy Hawking, Stephen Hawking's daughter, is a journalist and novelist. She is the coauthor of the George's Secret Key series for kids, as well as the author of the adult novels Jaded and Run for Your Life. She lives in Cambridge with her son.

Garry Parsons is the award-winning illustrator of many books, including George's Secret Key to the Universe, George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt, George and the Big Bang, George and the Unbreakable Code, and George and the Blue Moon by Lucy and Stephen Hawking; Billy's Bucket by Kes Gray; and What's Cool About School by Kate Agnew. He lives in London. Visit him at GarryParsons.co.uk.