You and the Universe – New Stephen Hawking Book Aims to Inspire Youngsters

Stephen Hawking’s iconic insight into space is being adapted for young readers. You and the Universe is designed to distill Hawking’s messages about space and the preciousness of Earth. Stephen Hawking’s book about space will be available in 2024, but you can already preorder it. 

What is You and the Universe about?

The book is based on the work of the famous physicist and many of his complex ideas yet simple philosophies. You and the Universe hopes to bring these ideas to a new audience and inspire a new generation.

Xin Li illustrated the book and Stephen Hawking’s daughter, Lucy, adapted the text. 

Ruth Knowles, publishing director at Puffin, explained that the story will “inspire children everywhere to look up and wonder at the world around them.”

Stephen Hawking was one of the most famous British astronomers, a trailblazer in the world of theoretical physics, and one of the most influential cultural figures in the United Kingdom. Hawking is best known for discovering that black holes emit radiation which can be detected. His discovery has made the detailed study of black holes possible. He passed away in 2018, but through projects like this, his observations can continue to inspire young people and garner interest in STEM subjects in the UK.

Who is Lucy Hawking?

Lucy Hawking is a writer and educator and is no stranger to spreading her father’s work among the younger population. Her books include space adventure stories like George and the Unbreakable Code, and George’s Cosmic Treasure Hunt, both of which credit her father. 

The book has its roots in the 2018 partnership between the Hawking family and the ESA. Iconic Greek composer Vangelis, perhaps best known for his work on Blade Runner, also participated in the project. The message portrayed in this partnership took words from Hawking’s book Brief Answers to the Big Questions soundtracked by the music of Vangelis.

A message to the black hole

The message was transmitted to our nearest black hole from the Cebreros station situated in Madrid. ESA then used the same message, released to the public for Earth Day in 2022.  “It is so moving to hear my father’s words, as apt now as when he wrote them a few years ago set to such stirring and magnificent music by Vangelis and brought to life by the stunning photos from ESA. We wish you all a safe and healthy Earth Day. One planet. One human race“ said Lucy Hawking on the release of the stirring video.

His message stated:

“I have spent my life travelling across the universe inside my mind. Through theoretical physics, I have sought to answer some of the great questions. But there are other challenges, other big questions which must be answered,” 

Hawking’s rallying cry went on, “We are all time travellers journeying together into the future,” he said. “But let us work together to make that future a place we want to visit. Be brave, be determined, overcome the odds. It can be done.”

Watch the moving video below.

Now, Hawking’s daughter has taken more of his ideas and wise words and turned them into another beautiful project for a new audience. You and the Universe (Random House, 2024) is due to be released on March 26, 2024, and is now available for preorder. 

You might also like:

A Universe Of Stories: 5 Best Space Books Of 2023 (So Far)