- Overview
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As a Big History book for students in lower grades, this is a child’s first chemistry (science) book that begins with Big History.
- Book Intro
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Readers can imagine a water molecule so small it is invisible to the naked eye, and observe the shape of a water molecule discovered mathematically. At the end of the book, Director Yi Jeongmo uses a Q&A format to explain the things children may want to know more about when it comes to chemistry and water. In particular, he introduces the hometown of recently discovered elements, in other words the place where they originated. The home of elements that start from the Big Bang to stars, supernovas and neutron stars, clearly shows that the history of the universe lies inside the periodic table. This will make chemistry fun and guide children in their future study of chemistry before they are required to memorize the periodic table.
There are many adults who, when they think of chemistry, say they remember struggling to memorize the periodic table. It is easy to think of the periodic table as a table listing elements, key in studying chemistry, but the periodic table is the history of the birth of elements and the history of life and the universe. The reason hydrogen is the first element in the periodic table is because it was the first element that was created in the universe. Since it was the first to appear, naturally, it is the smallest and the most abundant in space. This is why we begin to study chemistry with Big History.
When children move onto higher grades and encounter the periodic table and its 118 elements as they start studying chemistry, they are likely to be intimidated or burdened. But if they begin by meeting the elements one by one from the perspective of Big History, the periodic table will feel like a beautiful map orderly displaying the history of life and the universe.
- About the Author
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Yi Jeongmo
Lee majored in biochemistry and received his master’s degree at Yonsei University. He researched the communication of insects and plants at the University of Bonn in Germany and was also a professor at Anyang University. Before becoming the president of the Gwacheon National Science Center, he was the president of the Seodaemun Museum of Natural History and the Seoul Science Center. His works include The moon and power, Symbiosis, extinction & evolution, I also find science difficult, A trip to Madagascar with a scientist, etc.
Kim Jinhyeok
Kim Jinhyeok is an illustrator who likes comics and movies. He has drawn a number of webtoons and comics with indie publishers. He is highly interested in captivating stories and aims to steadily draw new and various comics. He believes people always expect an interesting story and he creates comics with gripping tales. Books he has illustrated include 『Start a Big Bang Tour!』 and 『The Order of Reading』.
- Selection
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Recommended by the Korean School Librarians Association
