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Ella Frances Sanders
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Eating the Sun: Small Musings on a Vast Universe Kindle Edition

by Ella Frances Sanders (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 201 ratings
Winner of the 2019 Whirling Prize

“Strong on science but just this side of poetry.” —Nature 

A beautifully illustrated exploration of the principles, laws, and wonders that rule our universe, our world, and our daily lives, from the New York Times bestselling creator of Lost in Translation

Have you ever found yourself wondering what we might have in common with stars, or why the Moon never leaves us? Thinking about the precise dancing of planets, the passing of time, or the nature of natural things? 

Our world is full of unshakable mystery, and although we live in a civilization more complicated than ever, there is simplicity and reassurance to be found in knowing how and why.
 
From the New York Times bestselling creator of Lost in Translation, Eating the Sun is a delicately existential, beautifully illustrated, and welcoming exploration of the universe—one that examines and marvels at the astonishing principles, laws, and phenomena that we exist alongside, that we sit within.

“[A] lyrical and luminous celebration of science and our consanguinity with the universe. . . . Playful and poignant.” —Brain Pickings
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  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    158 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Publisher
    Penguin Books
  6. Publication date
    April 16, 2019
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0525504948
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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Eating the Sun

“[A] lyrical and luminous celebration of science and our consanguinity with the universe. . . . Playful and poignant.” —Brain Pickings

“Sanders elucidates many of the wonders of our world . . . Each inspiring snapshot feeds the curiosity of anyone interested in exploring the universe that we exist in and that exists in us.” —Scientific American

“With this pairing of witty illustrations and an open-weave narrative—strong on science but just this side of poetry—Ella Frances Sanders has penned a pocket-sized book vast in ambition.” —Nature

“Ella Frances Sanders uses intricate illustration and thoughtful articulation to ask and answer the big questions about the universe, the solar system, and the world, marveling at the way nature works in a way that’s both visually and intellectually powerful.” —Food52

“If you’re looking for a book to ignite passion in science, and a reminder that despite the misery shown daily in the news the universe is in actual fact quite beautiful, then you should read this book.” —Chemistry World 

“Sanders beautifully personifies the universe with lyrical prose and whimsical color illustrations . . . poetic yet scientifically illuminating . . . Sanders renders [scientific] language both accessible and appealing to her audience. Even more importantly, she consistently captures a sense of awe and wonder at the universe, and ignites (or reignites) that same sense in the reader.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A wonder-filled excursion into the sometimes-baffling and formidable world of science. . . . Presenting information in a charming, conversational style, the author seeks to demystify science with panache. . . . A fun, accessible introduction to a variety of scientific topics that readers can explore further.” —Kirkus Reviews

“In this sweet and optimistic new book, author-illustrator Sanders explores the sweeping science of the universe and then breaks it down so that even right-brainers and hopeless romantics can comprehend. . . . Unique and delightful . . . Sanders’s marveling is inspiring and sure to be contagious, even for the least scientifically minded of readers.” —Booklist

“Wondrous . . . Remarkable . . . Read[s] like poetry. . . . [Sanders’s] colorful drawings, like her writing, encourage a childlike awe. This slim but lyrical exploration of the universe elicits poetry and awe out of science.” —Shelf Awareness for Readers


Praise for Lost in Translation

“A great little book . . . lovely.” —The Washington Post

“Beautifully illustrated.” —BuzzFeed

“A fantastic collection.” —Entertainment Weekly

“Thoroughly fascinating.” —Refinery29

“A charming little book with delightful illustrations.” —San Francisco Chronicle

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Ella Frances Sanders is the writer and illustrator of two previous books, Lost in Translation: An Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words from Around the World and The Illustrated Book of Sayings: Curious Expressions from Around the World, which have both been translated into eight languages.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07FS9XYDN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books (April 16, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 16, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 38.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 158 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0143133160
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 201 ratings

About the author

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Ella Frances Sanders

Ella Frances Sanders

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Ella Frances Sanders is a New York Times and internationally-bestselling author and illustrator of almost five books. She currently writes and illustrates a column about words for Orion Magazine, titled ‘Root Catalog’.

Her first book, LOST IN TRANSLATION, was published in the US by Ten Speed Press in 2014 (in the UK by Square Peg under the same title) and became an international bestseller. It sat on the New York Times bestseller list for 4 consecutive months, was an Amazon Best Book of 2014, and in 2018 it was announced as the No.1 book for the biggest bookseller in Japan, Kinokuniya, which is only the second time a non-fiction title has ever been chosen for the award in the bookseller’s history.

This was followed in 2016 by THE ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF SAYINGS from Ten Speed Press in the US (in the UK under the title SPEAKING IN TONGUES from Square Peg), and has also been translated into over ten languages.

Her third book, EATING THE SUN, was published in 2019 by Penguin in the US to a starred review from Publishers Weekly. It was the recipient of the 2019 Whirling Prize for prose, featured on The Marginalian Favorite Books of 2019 list, and has been translated into multiple languages, with a UK edition published by 535 (Bonnier) under the title A SMALL ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE.

CLOSE AGAIN was published in January 2022, and is an illustrated commentary on and investigation into life during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was published by Andrews McMeel in the US, with translations currently in Italian, German, and Japanese.

Sanders' fifth book, EVERYTHING, BEAUTIFUL, is out August 23rd 2022 in the US from Penguin Life, and soon after available September 1st in the UK from Square Peg.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
201 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one noting how it changes their perspective on many things. Moreover, the writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting its short 1 to 2 page explanations. Additionally, customers describe the book as beautiful and engaging, with whole families enjoying reading and discussing it together.

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10 customers mention "Thought provoking"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer noting how it fills them with awe and wonder, while another describes it as a wonderful combination of science.

"...but soon discovered that it is written in such a charming and light-hearted way that I could read it to my eight year old son who has a huge..." Read more

"This book is a daily gift to share in the absolute miracle of life and the universe...." Read more

"I'm so happy with this small book which has words that are peaceful yet give you new meanings...." Read more

"...It's whimsical, funny, thought provoking and scientific. It's one of my new all time favorites!" Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it engaging and well written, with one customer noting its short 1 to 2 page explanations.

"...Written in easy language so a 10 year old could understand and get excited about knowing more. (BUT, it's NOT limited to a 10 year old!)..." Read more

"...the science, the myths, our freedom and rights and this wonderful book makes sense of basics. Its illustrations are wonderful too!..." Read more

"Good readable summary of latest of the nuclear basis for our cosmology, science meant for the ordinary non-scientist. Good stuff!..." Read more

"...bought this book for myself but soon discovered that it is written in such a charming and light-hearted way that I could read it to my eight year..." Read more

7 customers mention "Beauty"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, with one mentioning that the illustrations are wonderful.

"...Its illustrations are wonderful too!..." Read more

"...on the rooftop with hot cocoa and blankets of how vast, glorious, beautiful our universe is...." Read more

"...It's whimsical, funny, thought provoking and scientific. It's one of my new all time favorites!" Read more

"This is a lovely, surprising and essential little book for all us humans interested in the universe we inhabit...." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as wonderful and among their best reads.

"This is one of the best books I have read! It explains so many things in terms that everyone should be able to understand...." Read more

"...ordinary non-scientist. Good stuff! Well conceived and well written. GH" Read more

"...together on the rooftop with hot cocoa and blankets of how vast, glorious, beautiful our universe is...." Read more

"I absolutely fell in love with the audiobook and had to buy a hard copy to enjoy too. It's whimsical, funny, thought provoking and scientific...." Read more

5 customers mention "Fun to read"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with whole families enjoying reading and discussing it, and one customer noting its grace and humor.

"...It makes reading about the universe magical, fun and informative." Read more

"...It's whimsical, funny, thought provoking and scientific. It's one of my new all time favorites!" Read more

"...Sanders does it with grace and humor, essays no more than 2 pp long, usually 1 to 1.25 pp...." Read more

"Wonderful book. Both educational and entertaining. Super thought-provoking and fun to share individual short segments for lively discussions." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Dubs
    5.0 out of 5 stars What an interesting book!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Short 1 to 2 page explanations of things of this world (and universe). Written in easy language so a 10 year old could understand and get excited about knowing more. (BUT, it's NOT limited to a 10 year old!)

    This is possibly the best (most interesting) book I've read in a long time. Read this instead of Until the End of Time where the first 80 pages are tough before it gets understandable and interesting.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Pam D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful Book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of the best books I have read! It explains so many things in terms that everyone should be able to understand.

    At first I was quite upset that the delivery of the box was left in my garden, it rained and then next morning the book was slightly damp, dirty and torn, but then I read the opening ..."When one is considering the universe, unseen matter, our small backyard of the stuff, I think it is important, sensible even, to try and find some balance between laughter and uncontrollable weeping." On the scale of problems, a slightly damage book with wisdom and wit, should be worn and have the appearance of being read, often!

    Please enjoy, I have sent many copies to other people. We are all questioning during COVID-19, the science, the myths, our freedom and rights and this wonderful book makes sense of basics. Its illustrations are wonderful too!

    I read a section a day, review some of the items that I am not familiar and learn something wonderful and new every day!

    Thank you Ella, I look forward to your next work.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Grace Hinrichs
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good read and important stuff!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Good readable summary of latest of the nuclear basis for our cosmology, science meant for the
    ordinary non-scientist. Good stuff! Well conceived and well written. GH
    Helpful
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  • Delray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very engaging book, fun family reading
    Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I originally bought this book for myself but soon discovered that it is written in such a charming and light-hearted way that I could read it to my eight year old son who has a huge interest in science but not able to read the book himself. It makes reading about the universe magical, fun and informative.
    10 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Pru
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love every detail about it.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Reading this book, is like having a friend over to your home and musing together on the rooftop with hot cocoa and blankets of how vast, glorious, beautiful our universe is. From the scale of atom, absurdity of time, and the magnitude of stars and it never stop being.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Deb
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Treasure!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a daily gift to share in the absolute miracle of life and the universe. I read one section a day and it fills me with pure awe and wonder. Ella Frances Sanders is a thinker, a ponderer, and one of those rare, inspired humans. To be able to glimpse into her mind and her wisdom is a daily privilege for me. I love to read, and this is one of the best books to ever cross my nightstand.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Missy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Special calming book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I'm so happy with this small book which has words that are peaceful yet give you new meanings.
    For my husband's funeral, I'm reading one page about exploding stars. So very happy with purchase.
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely fell in love with the audiobook and had to buy a hard copy to enjoy too. It's whimsical, funny, thought provoking and scientific. It's one of my new all time favorites!
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Girl007
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it because Ella Frances is the most brilliant writer and illustrator!
    Reviewed in Germany on July 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I will buy anything written by Ella. It took me a while to buy this because I moved across the continents and I tried to find it in this non English speaking world in a proper bookstore but couldn't, so ended up buying it off amazon. But again, Ella's words flows as beautifully as a river and her illustration feels of so much warmth. This is a great book for all ages. 10/10 would gift to someone!
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