Meanwhile Back on Earth . . .: Finding Our Place Through Time and Space - Hardcover

Jeffers, Oliver

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593621522 ISBN 13: 9780593621523

Publisher: Philomel Books, 2022

Synopsis

A spectacular new picture book from the creator of international bestsellers Here We Are and What We’ll Build that will give readers perspective on our place in space.

A father takes his two children on a thrilling out-of-this-world adventure into space and invites them to look back at Earth and the conflicts that have taken place since the beginning of time. This becomes a brief history of the world and a guide to the universe, told with Oliver Jeffers's inimitable perspective, wit, and exquisite artwork.

Meanwhile Back on Earth gives a unique look at life on Earth with a cosmic perspective—and an enduring message that what binds us together matters more than what sets us apart. A timely story for families everywhere.

About this title

About the Author

Oliver Jeffers From his much-loved debut, How to Catch a Star he has gone on to create a collection of award-winning and bestselling picture books, which have been translated all over the globe, including the #1 New York Times bestseller and TIME Best Book of the Year Here We Are, as well as the companion What We’ll Build. He is also the illustrator of the smash hits The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, both written by Drew Daywalt. His fine art is world-renowned and his dip-art exhibitions are a much sought-after event. Oliver is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and now he, his wife and young children split their time between Belfast and Brooklyn, NY.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—A father takes his children on a road trip through the cosmos with Earth's history in the rearview mirror in this entertaining look at our place in the universe. As siblings battle it out in the back seat, Dad suggests a detour; in the blink of an eye, the family sports spacesuits and points their car towards the moon. Adjusting the mirror, Dad notes that "it's important to keep checking the mirror to see what we're up to back on Earth." Jeffers masterfully captures the universe's vastness while playfully humanizing space by making it a family trip destination, complete with a chatty parent pointing out sights along the way, an I Spy game during the 5,000-year drive to Uranus, and a gleeful coast along Saturn's rings. The artwork puts readers in the driver's seat, where they see the dark expanse of space with brightly colored planets set off against the black background. These views alternate with historical moments that include whimsical characters from Jeffers's previous books What We'll Build and Here We Are. VERDICT A first purchase for all collections.—Rosemary Kiladitis

Edition details

• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593621522
• ISBN 13: 9780593621523
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 64