Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story

by Jennifer Morgan, Dana Lynne Andersen (Illustrator)

Lots of people have gotten very excited about this book and its sequels. It succeeds at telling the amazing story of the universe and the creation of Earth with scientific accuracy but without diminishing the mystery and wonder. The three books together tell OUR STORY. As cosmologist and author Dr. Brian Swimme In the magic of this story . . . suddenly, we have the feeling that we BELONG. The second book is From Lava to The Universe Tells Our Earth Story. The final book is Mammals Who The Universe Tells Our Evolution Story.

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Childrens, Space, History, Prehistory, Nonfiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now in retrospect I actually do very much wish I had noticed before I downloaded Jennifer Morgan's Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story on my iPad that this is yet another anthropomorphic pseudo-autobiography, and thus textually basically a case of the universe somehow telling its own story in the first person. And although the information and scientific details presented and featured are generally well researched and always factually sound (and as such also current and up-to-date), Jennifer Morgan's poetic, personalised narration style does tend to feel both tedious, dragging and furthermore it considerably dilutes the hard core science core of Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story because the universe being featured as a living and breathing entity with dreams, philosophies, likes and dislikes not only unnecessarily humanises the universe but it also at least in my own humble opinion once more puts us, puts mankind on some kind of a glorious and really undeserved pedestal (and something which I for one truly believe needs to be avoided as much as possible in science-based children's non fiction books on the origin of the universe, as Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story really does feel too new-agey and strangely pantheistic, almost religious in scope).

And therefore, while I indeed very much appreciate that Jennifer Morgan has definitely made her Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story scientific in content and thematics, as well as more than adequately enough researched (and I oh so much do love the hard science facts listed at the back of the book, as well as the handy glossary and extensive bibliographical lists), and yes most certainly have I truly aesthetically enjoyed Dana Lynne Andersen's brightly descriptive, almost expressionistic at times accompanying artwork, sorry, but I simply and personally just cannot stomach the author's writing style, just cannot stand Jennifer Morgan's modes of expression, with indeed the annoying anthropomorphicasation of the universe totally rubbing me the wrong proverbial way (and so much so that I really had to struggle to continue reading the main textual body of Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story and am therefore only granting a high two star rating even though the back materials and the accompanying illustrations are definitely and without a doubt spectacular).

[Rebecca Rockman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a secular homeschool mom of 2 boys, aged 5 & 7, and highly recommend this series for young children. The books are beautifully illustrated and poetically written and cover the big bang, the beginning of life on earth, and evolution.

"Born with a Bang" is the first in the series and describes the beginning of the Universe. It is written from the 1st person perspective of The Universe and the science is explained in a way that is very easy for young children to grasp. The illustrations are very artistic and absolutely fantastic - my children tried to replicate them this morning after we read it.

The other 2 in the series, "From Lava to Life" and "Mammals that Morph" are excellent, too.

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could rate this book 5 stars, as I think it does an exemplary job at explaining the Big Bang to children, but the literary technique used in this book- anthropomorphizing the Universe as some emotional Mother/Creator- was a bit too new agey and akin to religion for me. Perhaps it helps children understand better, but this book should not be used alone in teaching these facts and theories, in my opinion.

The artwork is amazing and the factual part of it is accurate as far as I know (and other Big Brain people, who really do know).

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This covers some great science concepts in a relatively kid-friendly way, but it anthropomorphizes the universe as a caring, conscious figure, which is just strange. This could have been a really good secular book that covered facts that can be comforting - matter can become energy, energy can never be destroyed, the particles that make you up have been in existence since the beginning, etc. Disappointing. But I like the art, and the concepts are explained well in the notes in the back.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book 5 stars, I really do. The illustrations are gorgeous, and there are so few books on this topic for young children. However, I had a really hard time with the first-person perspective and the anthropomorphism of the Universe. A pre-BBT universe dreams of galaxies, planets, and earthly animals so she decides to become the things she dreams of. This conscienceness of choice feels like a short slip to "Intelligent Design" but if you can leave it at artistic license it is beautifully written. The science of how the galaxies were formed in great, though, and in language that children will be able to understand.

[Mandie McGlynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little heavy on the anthropomorphizing, but my kids enjoyed it.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the telling of the start of the universe with a personified universe. Occasionally I thought it went overboard a smidge with the cutsieness, but for the most part it works. The science of the origins of the universe is so amazing, so magical, it doesn't need any embellishment. I found some of the paintings more effective than others, but overall they match the tone and add to the impact of the text. The dark illustration for the page about particles and anti-particles zapping each other was positively (and negatively I suppose!) creepy. I love the picture of a young earth, all blue-green ocean and fiery red-orange lava. The story part of the book captured my attention and made me eager to read the more technical scientific explanation part, which I'm thinking is precisely the point. I look forward to reading the next books in the series.

[Seamusin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As lots of reviews say... beautiful, pretty accurate but a bit weirdly anthropomorphising.

[Neel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful story accompanied by gorgeous artwork, of the universe, its birth and evolution, and how it moved towards creating Earth, and ultimately, us. The way the story is told constantly reminds us that this story is not about something outside us, but about us - we are part of the universe, and the universe is part of us. By truly bringing the universe - and everything in it - alive, the book makes us feel that we are part of an epic cosmic adventure, in a universe that cares for us and loves us, that has worked and played passionately to create us, where we belong and are connected to the stars and galaxies across billions of years.

This kind of cosmology does far more than just inspiring a love for physics. It kindles a love for the world, life, and existence itself - priceless gifts for anyone, especially a child. A book I dearly wish I could have read as a child, and I am grateful to have read now.

[Sandra Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three of the best children’s books I’ve found on evolution are a series by Jennifer Morgan and Dana Lynne Andersen (illustrator): Born with a Bang, From Lava to Life, and Mammals Who Morph. Morgan tells the story of the universe from the universe’s point of view, using metaphors a child can identify with: “About 13 billion years ago, or so, I was smaller than a piece of dust under your bed.” That piece of dust bursts into a “gargantuan balloon the size of a galaxy” and describes its future in terms of dreams: “fish cruising deep blue seas, insects alighting on flowers, reptiles basking on hot rocks in the Sun. . . .” I like the use of dreams as metaphor for change and possibility. Morgan emphasizes that the universe is “us.” We are all one, created from that single first piece of dust. The second book, From Lava to Life, focuses on the growth of life on earth, beginning with bacteria and ending with the dinosaurs. And in Mammals Who Morph, we see the evolution of animals into humans, again with the universe telling the story. On the last page we are reminded of our history:

“Every cell in your body is packed with hydrogen, made when I was born.

Your bones are hardened with calcium made by stars.

Your backbone was fashioned by fish.”

Morgan, who has a degree in theology from the University of San Francisco, also studied science at Princeton and interviewed many physicists while writing this series. She told the stories to her son, who wanted to know all about the universe, she said, including the texture of its edges.

I recommend this series to children, parents, and teachers.

[Imogene Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

"BORN WITH A BANG: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story," written by Jennifer Morgan and illustrated by Dana Lynne Andersen, is superb! I love the way Jennifer Morgan immediately engages the reader by telling the story of the birth of the universe—from the point of view of the universe! Using this literary device, Morgan draws her young readers in and links and connects them inextricably with the birth and growth of the cosmos. In this uniquely vibrant book, beautifully designed with Andersen’s dynamic illustrations, Morgan explains deeply complex scientific facts in simple, engaging prose. For example, we—and our sun and planets—are all literally made from stardust from an exploding supernova. This is a scientific fact that I will never completely be able to wrap my cerebellum around. But, I came the closest to understanding this complex information when reading Morgan’s explanation. I love the interplay—and the values it conveys—in the dialogue between the voice of the writer/the universe and her readers: about giving and receiving, playing and working TOGETHER (emphasis mine).

With this mind-expanding book, Morgan gives new meaning to the word “meaningful”!

Highly recommended.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm buying this one for my kids! It tells the story of the big bang from the perspective of the universe personified. It really helps kids understand the the universe is part of us and that we are the universe. If people stopped taking the bible literally, I think all people would appreciate this book. In reality, since Jesus spoke metaphorically, I think this book actually expresses what he meant more than most church interpretations.

This book is priceless. Something I've been looking for awhile. The artwork is exquisite. I wanted to purchase a print of one of the pages, but it costs $400. Maybe someday!

Love it!!!

[Gemma Duling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Reaction:
I really liked this book because the illustrations made me want to learn about it. The bolded sentences helped guide the reading as to what is important.

Purpose:
I would use this book for a science section to present the universe to the children. It explains the start of the universe in an exciting way and makes it fun for children. They will realize how big the universe actually is. This could also be used for independent reading so they can think more critically to themselves about the universe and how it was made.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well done. The artwork is exceptional and the theories of time and space as they stand were presented so that children can understand them. This story is told in an anthropomorphic way with the universe speaking to the reader. I learned a lot reading this book and it left me with a desire to learn more. My thirteen year old also read it and was amazed!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. Beautifully told. This book relates the story of our planet for children. This is the second book in the series. The first had the story of the Big Bang, and this is how life developed. We go from bacteria to mammals with phenomenal drawings and the type goes with what the author wants to stress.

This is good for third grade and beyond.

[Erienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous illustrations accompany this explanation of how our universe began. This was recommended to me by a friend and these books are wonderful--this is the first in a series of three.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series on evolution and the Big Bang. My 4 year old, who is a space junkie, loved it.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. I use it to help tell the first Montessori Great Lesson about the creation of the universe.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book I've read about the birth of the universe. Spiritual, scientific, filled with love and wonder.

[Paavni Vaish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes the whole universe since it was born till now . Like when galaxies and planets formed. It describes everything in , like a poem .