Masterfully crafted by a unique co-operative of a scientist, illustrator and an award-winning writer, ‘Why is the Moon Following Me?’ bucks the trend of “cheap thrill” children’s fantasy fiction to instead introduce the boundless fun of astronomy. The book’s poetic verses were inspired by an experience the author witnessed as a child while driving through the dark countryside of her native Ireland, and has now been transposed into an adventure that whisks children through time and space as they meet seven great thinkers to learn about the universe around them.
Pal Alto, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/16/2014 -- It’s a fact; kids ask a lot of questions. While adults can try their best to answer most of them, children’s curiosity about space and the wider universe often leaves their parents stumped for answers. In a bold move by a brave California-based writers’ co-operative, many of these questions are being addressed in ‘Why is the Moon Following Me?’ a book of short, fun and educational poems that introduce early astronomy in a way never before attempted.
The mammoth task of fusing fun with often-heavy science wasn’t easy, but the book has struck the perfect balance thanks to its eclectic team; an award-winning writer, a dedicated children’s illustrator and a Stanford-educated scientist!
Synopsis:
Why is the Moon following me? is a series of fun, short poems for children to familiarize them with the story of early astronomy. Through the eyes of a curious child, we travel through time and encounter the discoveries of seven great thinkers from antiquity to the end of the Renaissance. Astronomy can be intimidating, even to adults, and this book is also for them, as a way to introduce their kids, and themselves, to some important key concepts.
“My family once took a long road trip when I was a kid, and as we drove through the Ireland night the moon was basking big and bright in the sky. My little sister went to sleep, woke up a few hours later and broke into hysterics. She yelled “why is the moon following me?” and, to be frank, my parents didn’t have an answer!” explains Emer Martin, the book’s author. “Few laypeople knew much about astronomy back then, but us kids still had burning questions as we looked up into the sky.”
Continuing, “Those questions still exist, and we now have some of the answers due to the advancements in technology and knowledge. However, the theories are intricate and so complicated that astronomy is barely taught to kids. What we have done is to simplify everything in a way that children and adults will understand, wrap it up into a series of compelling poetry with stunning imagery, and publish it to fill this vital gap in the market. There is no other book like this out there. Believe me I looked.”
The team’s creation has garnered a string of rave reviews. Palo Alto Elementary teacher, Valerie Sabbag, comments, “The profound questions children have are often dismissed by adults. Why is the Moon Following Me? treats their questions with respect, while drawing them in with beautiful illustrations and lyrical rhyme. This book presents the history of scientific thought in a way that is accessible to all children. It is a book that should be in every classroom because it will help lead children down a path toward ‘real’ science.”
Dr. Bernard Kress of Google Technologies believes the book has appeal beyond just children. He writes, “Wow! This is the most fun and informative book on early astronomy I’ve ever seen. Inspirational reading for kids and adults alike. This is sure to become a classic.”
‘Why is the Moon Following Me’, is published by Rawmeash, a newly founded publishing co-operative in the heart of Silicon Valley http://www.rawmeash.com
It is available at the end of September as an ebook or a print book on Amazon.com or at: http://www.moonfollowing.com
About The Team
Suzana Tulac: Scientist - Suzana is a Scientist who was born in Varazdin, Croatia. Her PhD in Molecular Biology was a result of collaboration between Stanford University where she worked for five years and the Faculty of Natural Sciences in Zagreb. Today she is very active in her three kid’s public school teaching science and art (photography and ceramics). Over the last few years she attended many talks and workshops on History of Time and realized there was a genuine gap in fun and accessible materials on the subject for children. Currently she lives in Mountain View, California.
Magdalena Zuljevic: Illustrator - The illustrator Magdalena is also known as Magi. Born and raised in Croatia, Magdalena studied at The Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, earning a BFA in Art education. After experimenting with sculpting and oil painting she decided that illustration was her true calling. Magdalena now specializes in illustrating for the children’s market, with her work in digital media. She currently lives with her husband, two children, her parrot Cody, and her guinea pigs Tesla and Sparkle in Sunnyvale, CA.
Her website is http://www.pencilfairy.com
Emer Martin: Writer - Emer is a Dubliner who has lived in Paris, London, the Middle East, and various places in the U.S. She is the founder of the publishing collective Rawmeash. http://www.emermartin.tumblr.com Her first novel Breakfast in Babylon won Book of the Year 1996 in her native Ireland. Houghton Mifflin released Breakfast in Babylon in the U.S. in 1997. More Bread Or I’ll Appear, her second novel was published internationally in 1999. Emer studied painting in New York and has had a sell-out solo show of her paintings at the Origin Gallery in Harcourt St, Dublin. Her third novel Baby Zero, was published March 2007 in the U.K and Ireland, and released globally in 2014.. She produced Irvine Welsh’s directorial debut NUTS in 2007. Emer was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2000. She has two young daughters and lives between the jungles of Co. Meath, Ireland and Silicon Valley, California.
Her website is http://www.emermartin.com and you can follow her on twitter @emermartin