A pizza is made of sauce, cheese and dough, but what is it made of?
Toledo-based author and astrophysicist Ethan Siegel explores just that in his newest book, the first geared toward a younger audience. “The Littlest Girl Goes Inside An Atom,” co-written with particle physicist Laura Manenti, takes readers on a journey to discover what composes the world around them.
“I think it’s very important that when we say ‘science is for everyone’ we do our part so everyone has access to it,” Siegel said.
Siegel will host a free reading of his book at the Toledo Community Library, located at 241 Cowlitz St. in Toledo, at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25. First-edition copies of the book will also be available for sale at the event.
“The Littlest Girl Goes Inside An Atom” chronicles a girl who’s “not satisfied” with her mom’s answer about what the pizza they’re making is made up of.
“She’s concerned about what lies on the very small scale,” Siegel said.
The girl is shrunk down, first to view and explore molecules, then atoms, and finally subatomic particles. Siegel said the book is directed at ages 7 through 10, though younger children could read it with the help of a parent or other adult. No prior scientific knowledge is needed for readers.
“You have to present things in an accessible way to the audience,” Siegel said.
The book also includes a “bonus section” geared toward adults who can then help young readers with follow-up questions. Siegel described his first children's book as perfect for “curious children.”
Siegel, a theoretical astrophysicist, has written three other books: “Beyond the Galaxy: How Humanity Looked Beyond Our Milky Way and Discovered the Entire Universe,” “Treknology” and “Encyclopedia Cosmologica.”
Siegel is also working with National Geographic on a new book focused on the James Webb Telescope. That book is set to be released next year.
“The Littlest Girl Goes Inside An Atom” is available for purchase for $16.99 on Amazon.com. See more details or purchase the book at https://tinyurl.com/44pnrhw2.
