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There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe
Spark your child's imagination through science and learning with this captivating astronomy book for toddlers. When it comes to kids books about black holes nothing else can compare to this clever science parody from the #1 science author for kids, Chris Ferrie! PLUS, use a black light to reveal secret, invisible text and artwork that reverses the story from nothing to the scientific creation of everything! Using the familiar rhythm of "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," follow along as the black hole swallows up the universe and everything that exists in it, from the biggest to the smallest pieces of matter. The silly, vibrant artwork is sure to make stargazers of all ages smile and start a love of science in your baby. There was a black hole that swallowed the universe. I don't know why it swallowed the universe―oh well, it couldn't get worse. There was a black hole that swallowed a galaxy. It left quite a cavity after swallowing that galaxy. It swallowed the galaxies that filled universe. I don't know why it swallowed the universe―oh well, it couldn't get worse.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 3, 2019
17 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ferrie
137 books398 followersI am Chris Ferrie, father of four and happy husband. My day job is academic research where I follow my curiosity through the word of quantum physics. My passion for communicating science has led from the most esoteric topics of mathematical physics to more recently writing children’s books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 11, 2023
Set up like a “A little old lady who swallowed a Fly”, but about Black Holes.
Although this book has words like Quark, Galaxy, Universe…and may be harder for younger kids to understand, it provides the parent or reader an opportunity to discuss them. I have a 4 and 6 year old and they both LOVE this book.
We’ve talked in great deal about this stuff since picking up the book and they now even understand what “orbiting” means and what cells do. They are never too young to learn these concepts- I think that’s where we go wrong sometimes. Thinking our kids can’t handle larger concepts…so we don’t teach it. I’ve found by exposing it to them at a young age anyway, helps to build a strong base when these topics are introduced later. I highly recommend using this practice and reading this book!
Although this book has words like Quark, Galaxy, Universe…and may be harder for younger kids to understand, it provides the parent or reader an opportunity to discuss them. I have a 4 and 6 year old and they both LOVE this book.
We’ve talked in great deal about this stuff since picking up the book and they now even understand what “orbiting” means and what cells do. They are never too young to learn these concepts- I think that’s where we go wrong sometimes. Thinking our kids can’t handle larger concepts…so we don’t teach it. I’ve found by exposing it to them at a young age anyway, helps to build a strong base when these topics are introduced later. I highly recommend using this practice and reading this book!
November 6, 2019
A cumulative story told somewhat in sing-song similar to There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly. Lots of descriptions of the materials that make up the universe. A bit involved for preschoolers, but doable if they're on the older side. Great for elementary age kids.
April 25, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
The fact that There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe by the amazing Chris Ferrie and illustrated by Susan Batori might be a little too advanced for a lot of kids is more of a failing of society pushing science as important than the fact that the author is teaching about concepts that most children will have never been introduced to. Even I don't fully understand the last thing mentioned in this book, and I'm twenty-six years old. And yet, I am over the moon in love with this utterly brilliant children's book, based on and adapted from the classic children's book There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. I was already a fan of Ferrie's work, having adored his first book Scientist, Scientist, but I think I love this one even more.
There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe features, predictably, a black hole that is going around swallowing up all kinds of pieces of our world. From galaxies, to planets, to stars, and finally to something called a quark. I do, personally, think that this story was written backward (it would make far more sense to swallow an atom before a universe), but then it wouldn't quite have had the ending that it did and frankly I loved the ending too much to see this as a huge issue in the end. So, ultimately, I really don't have any complaints about this book whatsoever.
The artwork in this book couldn't be more perfect. It's just the right amount of goofy and realistic, taking each aspect of science that is introduced and melding it with the humor of the story its based on. It's colorful enough to be incredibly engaging for kids and even reminds me of a book that I had when I was younger while also matching the realistic color that comes with the fact that a black hole is, in fact, black. And it teaches children about the universe, which in and of itself is the most important part. It mentions atoms and neutrons and quarks (whatever they actually are) and in that it fosters a curiosity in them that is so, so important. I can imagine many kids turning to their parents and asking them what a quark is, and for me if I were a mom that would even help me to learn something new since I currently have very minimal understanding for what a quark actually is.
So, plain and simple, I absolutely adore this book. It's one of the best I've ever read and I am so thrilled to have gotten a chance to do so. There is no question in my mind that I will be recommending this book to everyone I know with children, that I will be buying it as a gift for several of the children that I know, and I cannot wait for all the kids of the world to have a chance at reading such an amazing story about space.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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The fact that There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe by the amazing Chris Ferrie and illustrated by Susan Batori might be a little too advanced for a lot of kids is more of a failing of society pushing science as important than the fact that the author is teaching about concepts that most children will have never been introduced to. Even I don't fully understand the last thing mentioned in this book, and I'm twenty-six years old. And yet, I am over the moon in love with this utterly brilliant children's book, based on and adapted from the classic children's book There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. I was already a fan of Ferrie's work, having adored his first book Scientist, Scientist, but I think I love this one even more.
There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe features, predictably, a black hole that is going around swallowing up all kinds of pieces of our world. From galaxies, to planets, to stars, and finally to something called a quark. I do, personally, think that this story was written backward (it would make far more sense to swallow an atom before a universe), but then it wouldn't quite have had the ending that it did and frankly I loved the ending too much to see this as a huge issue in the end. So, ultimately, I really don't have any complaints about this book whatsoever.
The artwork in this book couldn't be more perfect. It's just the right amount of goofy and realistic, taking each aspect of science that is introduced and melding it with the humor of the story its based on. It's colorful enough to be incredibly engaging for kids and even reminds me of a book that I had when I was younger while also matching the realistic color that comes with the fact that a black hole is, in fact, black. And it teaches children about the universe, which in and of itself is the most important part. It mentions atoms and neutrons and quarks (whatever they actually are) and in that it fosters a curiosity in them that is so, so important. I can imagine many kids turning to their parents and asking them what a quark is, and for me if I were a mom that would even help me to learn something new since I currently have very minimal understanding for what a quark actually is.
So, plain and simple, I absolutely adore this book. It's one of the best I've ever read and I am so thrilled to have gotten a chance to do so. There is no question in my mind that I will be recommending this book to everyone I know with children, that I will be buying it as a gift for several of the children that I know, and I cannot wait for all the kids of the world to have a chance at reading such an amazing story about space.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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June 9, 2019
This was fun to read and I know my students would LOVE this as a read-aloud. They love the "There Was an Old Lady" books where there is repetition and an opportunity for them to participate. The illustrations are also fun and quirky, adding to the tone of the book. I think often we think that kids can't grasp complicated concepts or use big words but I stopped believing that as soon as one of my 3rd graders explained what a super nova was to me in accurate detail. This book is meant to be humorous and not necessarily a book to get facts but I think it would spark the interest in those interested in space, planets, etc.
June 20, 2019
The perfect book to teach children about the scientific components that make the universe and the colorful planets, stars and galaxies. Throughout the book you have this toothy black hole that is hungry to swallow everything he finds in the universe. His hunger leads him to darkness since nothing in space is there anymore. I loved the illustrations and how the repeated phrase kept getting larger as he kept swallowing away. The final book has a wonderful bonus. You will be able to go backwards with a black-light to work your way back to the story. Enjoy your time in space and watch out for that black hole.
February 6, 2020
Science concepts told with the pacing of the classic "There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly", though sticking to that pacing can be pretty forced. I question the choice to go from macro to micro, rather than micro to macro. I can't imagine she understands the book, but four-year-old wanted me to read this multiple times.
June 8, 2019
A cute concept, but not well executed. The black hole swallows up the largest things first, which doesn't make sense. If you've already swallowed the universe, doesn't that mean you've already swallowed the planets?
November 8, 2019
My students were highly engaged and started to jump on with me in certain pages. It lent itself to being a predicting book that j could use to teach predictions with. Kids loved drawing what they saw too!!
May 29, 2019
Fun take on "There Was an Old Lady" with clever, quirky text and adorably cartoonish illustrations. Can't wait for the final product so I can test out the reverse story!
December 23, 2022
the repeat thing got a little old by the end but also, this is a potentially controversial conversation to have with anyone, not just kiddos. ends with the mentioning of a quark and im like wtf is a quark and next thing i know im an hour deep into theories of physics and quantative statistics and the god particle and and and and so anyway, i know what a quark is now and if you dont, i invite you to google it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2024
Pretty fun! I already know some about black holes, and kept thinking as I read it that it would almost make more sense to read backwards, but it was still fun. There was also a really cool twist at the end that allows you to read it in different ways.
June 5, 2019
This is a cute book that I really wanted to like a bit more. I read it with my 7 year-old, who enjoyed it, but she kept asking questions like "what's the difference between an atom and a molecule?" and "what's a quark?". I told her I'd explain at the end and was hoping for a brief glossary, but there are no explanations at all for the terms in the book, so I had to kind of quickly summarize astrophysics on the fly for her level (now I have to find THAT book).
The book is basically a take on "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly," except it goes from the very big to the very little and then to quarks as a sort of surprise ending.
The order of the swallowing is: There was a black hole that swallowed a universe (I don't know why it swallowed a universe -- Oh well, it couldn't get worse), then galaxy, star, planet, cell, molecule, atom, neutron, and then ends when it swallows a quark and everything ends.
I enjoyed the scientific angle of the book, but the poetry was pretty stilted and it was hard to read at times. There wasn't the natural rhythm of good poetry and it often felt forced.
Also, there's not a lot of science in the book, which was the biggest disappointment to me. Yes, the author uses 8 scientific words in order of size, but that's most of the extent of science you actually get. As mentioned, there's no glossary. There's no quick little synopsis at the end, no little facts sprinkled in the illustrations, or other extension of the lesson. Many educational picture books have a short, cute format and then at the end they have more detailed information. I was hoping for that, but this is more along the line of a short read-aloud with a science theme.
The book will make a great accompaniment to science studies, and it's a fun read-aloud. The illustrations are cute and kids all naturally love any books in the "old lady who swallowed a fly" format. I recommend it, though I wish the author had given us a bit more.
My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost
I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.
The book is basically a take on "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly," except it goes from the very big to the very little and then to quarks as a sort of surprise ending.
The order of the swallowing is: There was a black hole that swallowed a universe (I don't know why it swallowed a universe -- Oh well, it couldn't get worse), then galaxy, star, planet, cell, molecule, atom, neutron, and then ends when it swallows a quark and everything ends.
I enjoyed the scientific angle of the book, but the poetry was pretty stilted and it was hard to read at times. There wasn't the natural rhythm of good poetry and it often felt forced.
Also, there's not a lot of science in the book, which was the biggest disappointment to me. Yes, the author uses 8 scientific words in order of size, but that's most of the extent of science you actually get. As mentioned, there's no glossary. There's no quick little synopsis at the end, no little facts sprinkled in the illustrations, or other extension of the lesson. Many educational picture books have a short, cute format and then at the end they have more detailed information. I was hoping for that, but this is more along the line of a short read-aloud with a science theme.
The book will make a great accompaniment to science studies, and it's a fun read-aloud. The illustrations are cute and kids all naturally love any books in the "old lady who swallowed a fly" format. I recommend it, though I wish the author had given us a bit more.
My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost
I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.
October 16, 2019
This beautiful rhyming book follows the story of a goofy black hole that goes about first swallowing the universe, then a galaxy and then a star and so on until all there was, was dark.
This is a simple, rhyming book for children that introduces them to some simple concepts (atom, molecules, cells, planets, etc..) with some neat black hole facts at the end of the book. I did have to do look up a few concepts to make sure I was explaining them right to my son (I didn’t know what a quark was). It gave us the opportunity and time to learn together, which is the sign of a great book – when you want to learn more about a topic and it sparks an interest. It may have been helpful to have their own glossary at the end of the book to help parents but it wasn’t necessary.
What was really neat about this book was that you can also read it backwards. There is a hidden message that you can reveal with a black light from back to front so that you get to read a whole different story (similar concepts). While I didn’t have a black light, you can turn your cell phone into a black light using tape and a highlighter and voila! A whole new story full of fun and rhyme.
This is a fantastic read aloud book that will get stuck in your head (yes I was rhyming all about the black hole for the rest of the day). We had so much fun reading the story, appreciating the illustrations (that suited the story so well) as well as learning more afterwards (although I am still not quite sure I understand what a quark is!).
This is a simple, rhyming book for children that introduces them to some simple concepts (atom, molecules, cells, planets, etc..) with some neat black hole facts at the end of the book. I did have to do look up a few concepts to make sure I was explaining them right to my son (I didn’t know what a quark was). It gave us the opportunity and time to learn together, which is the sign of a great book – when you want to learn more about a topic and it sparks an interest. It may have been helpful to have their own glossary at the end of the book to help parents but it wasn’t necessary.
What was really neat about this book was that you can also read it backwards. There is a hidden message that you can reveal with a black light from back to front so that you get to read a whole different story (similar concepts). While I didn’t have a black light, you can turn your cell phone into a black light using tape and a highlighter and voila! A whole new story full of fun and rhyme.
This is a fantastic read aloud book that will get stuck in your head (yes I was rhyming all about the black hole for the rest of the day). We had so much fun reading the story, appreciating the illustrations (that suited the story so well) as well as learning more afterwards (although I am still not quite sure I understand what a quark is!).
August 15, 2019
There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe is a picture book written by Chris Ferrie and illustrated Susan Batori. This book uses the familiar rhythm of "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," follow along as the black hole swallows up the universe and everything that exists in it, from the biggest to the smallest pieces of matter. The silly, vibrant artwork is sure to make stargazers of all ages smile. Included in the book are instructions to create a craft to turn a cell phone camera light into a black light. Use this new invention to reveal the secret, invisible text and artwork that reverses the story from nothing to the scientific creation of everything! It is currently scheduled for release on September 3 2019.
There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe is a well illustrated story that can give young readers a good idea of the building blocks of the universe. Some of of the word choices struck me as odd, and the fact that we go from planets down to cells did not make sense to me, but I know in a picturebook brevity is an art form its own and choices need to be made. I liked the idea and the artwork very much, and thought that the black light story in reverse is a wonderful touch, even if my digital copy does not allow me to enjoy it. I think this is a fun and enlightening story that will please many young readers and their caregivers.
There Was a Black Hole that Swallowed the Universe is a well illustrated story that can give young readers a good idea of the building blocks of the universe. Some of of the word choices struck me as odd, and the fact that we go from planets down to cells did not make sense to me, but I know in a picturebook brevity is an art form its own and choices need to be made. I liked the idea and the artwork very much, and thought that the black light story in reverse is a wonderful touch, even if my digital copy does not allow me to enjoy it. I think this is a fun and enlightening story that will please many young readers and their caregivers.
January 7, 2020
Story was ok (I think I found it more interesting than my kids), but the illustrations are stinking adorable!! My kids loved the pictures, especially the friendly-looking toothy black hole that just gobbles up everything in sight.
One of the facts at the end states that black holes aren't visible because it doesn't reflect light, but that doesn't sound 100% accurate. In general, yes, black holes themselves are not visible, but the gases being pulled into their orbit around them make some visibility of their presence possible.
From http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/as...
Black holes are detected as surrounding material (like gas) is funnelled by the force of gravity into a disk around the black hole. The gas molecules in the disk swirl around the black hole so fast that they heat up and emit X-rays. These X-rays can be detected from Earth.
and https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics...
We can, however, infer the presence of black holes and study them by detecting their effect on other matter nearby. If a black holes passes through a cloud of interstellar matter, for example, it will draw matter inward in a process known as accretion.
One of the facts at the end states that black holes aren't visible because it doesn't reflect light, but that doesn't sound 100% accurate. In general, yes, black holes themselves are not visible, but the gases being pulled into their orbit around them make some visibility of their presence possible.
From http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/as...
Black holes are detected as surrounding material (like gas) is funnelled by the force of gravity into a disk around the black hole. The gas molecules in the disk swirl around the black hole so fast that they heat up and emit X-rays. These X-rays can be detected from Earth.
and https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics...
We can, however, infer the presence of black holes and study them by detecting their effect on other matter nearby. If a black holes passes through a cloud of interstellar matter, for example, it will draw matter inward in a process known as accretion.
November 29, 2019
There Was a Black Hole That Swallowed the Universe by Chris Ferrie is a goofy rhyming book that follows the scheme of 'There was an Old Woman that Swallowed a Fly'. From the universe to quarks, a hungry black hole gobbles up everything til nothing is left! I read this with my cubs and they enjoyed it. For myself, it creeped me out. I have an irrational and illogical fear of these mysterious celestial entities. I got nothin' there… The artwork is amusing, and at the end of the book there's a note for ARC reviewers that the final hardcopy will have a second 'story' that can be seen back to front via a blacklight. Great addition for home or classroom!
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Explore for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Explore for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 19, 2019
So this book is a cute play on "There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly." There are some parts that I wasn't too sure about, because let's face it... I sang the whole dang book. I felt like one of the lines that kept repeating just didn't go. I do, however, love the vocabulary packed in this book. It could definitely be an fun introduction to a science unit. I also love that it is actually two books in one with the glow in the dark aspect.
June 2, 2019
I love the idea of this book (and really all Chris Ferrie's books that introduce kids to science and math at an early age) - however, I found it odd that the black hole swallowed the universe and THEN swallowed all the things that make up a universe in increasingly smaller parts. Shouldn't it be the opposite if following the pattern of "There was an old lady..."?
June 6, 2019
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very interesting. It broke down science in an easy way for kids to understand. The pictures were cute and colorful. I like the aspect that when it is finished, the hard cover will have a black light page and that if read in reverse you can read about creation of the universe. Very neat!
This book was very interesting. It broke down science in an easy way for kids to understand. The pictures were cute and colorful. I like the aspect that when it is finished, the hard cover will have a black light page and that if read in reverse you can read about creation of the universe. Very neat!
July 15, 2019
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I only wish it were available NOW...our summer reading program is a space theme and this would make the perfect story time book! We will be purchasing this title as soon as is humanly possible and I can't wait to see what my little preschoolers think of it!
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I only wish it were available NOW...our summer reading program is a space theme and this would make the perfect story time book! We will be purchasing this title as soon as is humanly possible and I can't wait to see what my little preschoolers think of it!
October 28, 2019
Absolutely loved it! Read it with my nephew and niece (6 and 4 years old). We had a great time talking about the different planets and galaxies, and then linked back to our other favourite science book Quantum Physics for Babies when we got to the atom!
The book is beautifully illustrated and a wonderful take on the old nursery rhyme. I loved the surprise bonus story on the last page as well!
The book is beautifully illustrated and a wonderful take on the old nursery rhyme. I loved the surprise bonus story on the last page as well!
May 24, 2019
What a clever book that will have little ones grasping key concepts and vocabulary at an early age. Using the rhyming and repeating pattern, will ensure these words transfer to long term memory, way before the reader needs to know the complex nature of some of the terms.
June 1, 2019
Awesome storybook that makes it easy for kids to understand what makes up the universe from planets to molecules. Love the pictures! Clever how the author reviews the pieces of the universe the black hole eats. A definite must buy!
Thank you for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2019
A parody of the old lady stories. This time the Black Hole swallows everything from the universe down to quarks. The rhymes were rough and didn't flow well.
However, it's a great way to introduce these terms.
However, it's a great way to introduce these terms.
March 26, 2020
Fun idea to use the "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" idea for black hole, but this uses terminology that kids may not be familiar with and doesn't define it. Especially if kids are reading this on their own, that is a huge drawback for what could be a fun, educational science book.
June 2, 2019
Hilarious. Looking forward to sharing it with my nephew as a way to introduce physics, solar system, and a good read.
Read
September 26, 2019very well done!
beautiful & funny!
beautiful & funny!
July 2, 2024
Note: I accessed digital review copies of this book through NetGalley and Edelweiss.
March 10, 2023
In the spirit of "There Was an Old Lady That Swallowed a Fly" a Black Hole eats first a universe, then a galaxy, all the way down to a quark.
If you are looking for a creative way to teach children about matter or astronomy terms, this helps put things in context as it starts with the largest (universe) and works its way down to smaller and smaller parts (ending with neutron then quark). The refrain helps clarify how things relate to each other. This won't do all the teaching on its own, but it is a good jumping off point. It's also a good one for those looking for different versions of "There Was an Old Lady" and size comparisons. The back end pages have some facts about black holes.
If you are looking for a creative way to teach children about matter or astronomy terms, this helps put things in context as it starts with the largest (universe) and works its way down to smaller and smaller parts (ending with neutron then quark). The refrain helps clarify how things relate to each other. This won't do all the teaching on its own, but it is a good jumping off point. It's also a good one for those looking for different versions of "There Was an Old Lady" and size comparisons. The back end pages have some facts about black holes.
January 12, 2021
This book is cute and is a great idea. but I struggled with it because I was trying to get it to fit the rhythm of the story it is parodying, but it really, really doesn't. This is not poetic, with the rhyming and meter being off a lot and the reasons for each thing swallowing the other don't make sense. It could have been so much better if the rhythm worked at least.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews