Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small

“Everything is made out of something,” British physicist Wade’s picture book debut notes on the first page, instigating an exploration of the world’s building blocks. A conversational narrative moves swiftly from macroscopic materials including wood and glass to microscopic atoms and nanomaterials, while finely hatched illustrations by Castrillón (The Balcony) sweep readers into this nanoscience primer. A child in a skirt and yellow boots playfully interacts with each spread, sometimes shrunken and perched on a single atom or microscope stage, observing, other times presenting a simple graphic. More fanciful touches, such as the child’s blue hair or an elephant walking a tightrope of graphene (“the strongest material known to human beings”), cultivate a playful tone. Organic, and often lush botanic, motifs rendered in pencil, in a muted primary color palette, link the spreads, turning adding a layer of enticement to this accessible read. After discussing a few hopeful applications for nanomaterials—for example, a nano chip that could help restore eyesight—and giving a nod to ongoing global collaboration, this homage to the “very (very) small” concludes with more details about the who, how, and why of nanomaterials and a brief index. Ages 6–9. (Sept.)