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Oxford University Press is launching a children’s version of its Very Short Introductions series aimed at youngsters aged nine to 12.
The Very Short Introductions for Curious Young Minds series will publish four titles in May 2022, followed by further books in August and October 2022, early 2023, and additional publishing ongoing.
They have been researched and written by experts in their field and supported by consultants using clear explanations and age-appropriate vocabulary to help young learners get to grips with the basic principles of often complex ideas. Contributors include Clive Gifford, the award-winning author of more than 180 books for children and adults, and Isabel Thomas, science writer and children’s author, whose picture book Moth (Bloomsbury) illustrated by Daniel Egneus, was published to critical acclaim in 2018.
Sam Armstrong, senior publisher of the new series, said: “Inspired by the VSI series, these books are in equal parts authoritative, illuminating and entertaining and are designed to give young readers an overview of a wide range of topics. At Oxford, we are proud to be able to bring academic insights in a child-friendly way to readers beginning to discover something new.”
Helen Freeman, director of Oxford children’s dictionaries and language data at OUP added: “Children are so inquisitive about the world around them and often want to find out about complex topics, but the density of information and associated vocabulary can be a barrier to learning for children. We’re so excited about launching Very Short Introductions for Curious Young Minds because these books will help make the complex clear, accessible and exciting to young learners.”
May 2022 will see the first books with Invisible World of Germs by award-winning science writer Thomas, The Secrets of the Universe by astronomer and science writer Dr Mike Goldsmith, Robots, Gadgets and Artificial Intelligence by science writer Tom Jackson and Climate Change and How to Stop It by author and journalist Gifford.
Later books will include The World’s Immense Oceans by Thomas, The Amazing Power of Activism by Lily Dyu, Ancient Myths, Legends and Superheroes by Stephen Kershaw, The Shocking Power of Energy by Mike Goldsmith and The Expanding World of Data by Tom Jackson.