The New Children’s Encyclopedia

Book Preface

Every child needs a book that answers his or her questions about the world: how it was made, what
makes plants grow, why the Sun shines, how the human body works, what happened in the past,
and why other countries are different from their own. Properly stimulated, this early thirst for knowledge
can become a lifelong process of discovery and understanding. This encyclopedia aims to encourage
young readers to make these discoveries for themselves by presenting clear and concise information
in an exciting visual manner that draws them in and entices them to read on.

This brand new Children’s Encyclopedia is divided into thematic chapters. All the major topics are
represented: space, Earth science, the environment, animals and plants, countries of the world, culture,
history, science and technology, and the human body. Stunning photographs and illustrations accompany
the text, which is packed with fascinating facts, timelines, and special features. Cross references lead the
reader to related topics that help cover the subject in more depth and from new angles. Unique features
focus on items of special interest, such as an orchestra or time zones, or collections of bugs or minerals.
With so much to look at and find out about, this book will prove to be a valuable reference that young
readers will treasure for years to come

The universe was born in a Big Bang about 13.7 billion years ago.
Space begins 60 miles (100 km) above the Earth.
There are 8 planets, 5 dwarf planets, and 165 known moons in our solar system.
The Sun is orbited by billions of asteroids, comets, and Kuiper Belt objects.
The first artificial satellite, Sputnik, was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957.

About 500 people have flown in space since 1961.
A teaspoonful of material from a neutron star would weigh 10 billion tons on the Earth.
A black hole is a region of space where gravity is so strong that nothing can escape.
The temperature at the center of the Sun is 27,000,000°F (15,000,000°C).
When a dying star explodes, it releases as much energy as the Sun emits in its lifetime