Explore the Universe Through Our Two Brand-New Space Books
- 10th Sep 2026
- Author: Elliott Langley
If you have been following Our Space for a while, you might recall that I previously had the pleasure of speaking with Sophie Allan, the National Space Academy’s Head of Teaching and Learning, about her first full-length book. Since then, Sophie has been super busy, and has not one but two new space books arriving on shelves this September.
I caught up with Sophie once again, in order to find out more about Explore: Space and Rocket Science, what inspired them, and why they might be perfect for young space enthusiasts.
Thank you very much for joining me again, Sophie. I understand that September is a big month for you, what with two new books coming out!
Thanks for having me back, Elliott! I've been very lucky and have had the opportunity to publish two books: Rocket Science, published by Hachette UK, and Explore: Space, published by DK Books. So I've certainly been keeping busy since you last had me on here!
It sounds it! So let's start with Explore: Space. Can you tell us what the book is about?
Explore: Space is part of DK's Explore series. The concept behind the collection is to investigate different aspects of science and the world through maps, diagrams, and visual storytelling. It's almost like a coffee table book because it's so image-led.
The book begins with a map, diagram, or striking visual, and we build the science around it. A lot of the challenge was finding the most effective and engaging way to represent concepts visually, then making sure the explanations worked alongside those images.
Who is the book aimed at?
The typical DK age range is around 9 to 12 years old, but it's absolutely suitable for younger readers with an interest in space, because it's so visually driven. And let's be honest, every adult I know who picks up a DK book still enjoys reading it! There's definitely something in there for everyone.
Does it focus on a particular area of space science, or is it a broad overview?
It covers a bit of everything. We look at telescopes, the planets in our Solar System, exoplanets, and the history of space exploration. We explore the work of astronomers and early discoveries, right through to modern technology and space missions. It's a very wide-ranging look at space.
What inspired you to write this book?
I love communicating space science, which is why I do the job that I do. I've been fortunate enough to work with DK several times now, and they've given me a lot of freedom when it comes to the content. For me, the most enjoyable part is making science accessible. Children's books are brilliant at that. They combine incredible imagery and diagrams with information that's easy to understand without losing any of the excitement.
Do you have a favourite section?
We've had a lot of fun with the graphics throughout the book. One of my favourite pages is our representation of the Big Bang. Rather than using the standard timeline diagram, it's shown as a swirling spiral expanding outward from the centre. It's incredibly visually engaging. Honestly, I want it as a poster. It's that beautiful!
Fantastic! Let's move on to your second book. Tell us about Rocket Science.
Rocket Science is published by Hachette UK and is actually being released today! I co-wrote it with my good friend Josh Barker, Physics Outreach Officer at Space Park Leicester. Josh has worked with both the National Space Centre and National Space Academy for many years now, so we have collaborated a lot.
We previously worked together on Amazing Space for DK, and we work really well together as a writing team. We both bring different strengths to the process and act as editors for each other's work. It's always useful having another pair of eyes to catch things you've missed, and it's genuinely a lot of fun writing together.
So, what's this one about?
Where Explore: Space looks at lots of different aspects of space, Rocket Science focuses specifically on, you guessed it, rockets! It's essentially everything a young person could want to know about them. We cover the history of rockets, how they work, the physics behind launches, and even topics such as Newton's Laws.
We also look at what happens on launch day, why rockets launch from certain locations, the future of launch technology, and major programmes such as Artemis and SpaceX. We even explore alternative propulsion systems, including ion drives and solar sails. If getting into space and exploring the Universe is your thing, then Rocket Science is definitely the book for you.
Is this one as visually focused as Explore: Space?
It's a little more text-based, although visuals still play a huge role. Some topics naturally need diagrams, particularly when we're breaking down the different parts of a rocket or explaining how specific technologies work. Other pages are much more atmospheric. For example, when we're talking about launch day, the illustrations help capture what it's like to be in mission control or preparing for liftoff.
The illustrations were created by Diego Vaisberg, and he's done a fantastic job. The artwork has a very approachable and personable style. It's not purely technical, but neither is it cartoonish. There's a slight sense of whimsy to it that works really well.
Compared to other books about rockets, what makes this one different?
One thing we really wanted to do was bring in the human side of spaceflight. We don't just explain how rockets work. We explore what it feels like to launch aboard one. We look at things from the perspective of astronauts preparing for liftoff and try to convey some of that excitement and anticipation.
We also wanted to highlight everything that happens around a launch. It's not simply, "Here's a rocket, and here's how it works." We look at launch operations, why locations matter, the people involved, and all the moving parts that come together to make spaceflight possible. By putting all those elements together, we hope readers gain a fuller understanding of what it takes to get a rocket off the ground and into space.
Huge thanks to Sophie for taking the time to speak with me once again. Explore: Space and Rocket Science are published this September by DK Books and Hachette UK respectively, and are available to purchase from the National Space Centre gift shop and local bookshops
