A photo showing the new book Can You Get Rainbows in Space by Dr Sheila Kanani. The book is against a blue space-themed backdrop. There are planets and stars surrounding the book.

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Children's quizzes

How much do you know about the science of colours?

Can You Get Jellyfish in Space? A World Book Day 2024 Mini Book

You've probably heard of dogs in space. Maybe even chimpanzees. But jellyfish? Almost certainly not! 
 
Join Dr Sheila Kanani in this special World Book Day adventure, as she discovers a weird and wonderful cast of animals who have travelled into space, from Ham the chimpanzee to Félicette the cat, and the 60,000 jellyfish who have orbited the Earth (did you know you can also get jellyfish-shaped galaxies?). You'll meet the microscopic creatures that can survive in the vacuum of space, and wonder &ndash; could aliens really exist? 
 
This fantastical journey into the wild and surprising realms of space weaves together astronomy, physics and biology, and is sure to inspire space-obsessed and animal-loving kids everywhere.

Dr Sheila Kanani (Author) Dr Sheila Kanani MBE is a planetary scientist, EDI consultant, space educator and author, with a background in astrophysics and astronomy research from UK universities. She regularly acts as a science ambassador, visiting schools and speaking at events, and is an advocate for diversity in physics and astronomy. Sheila runs her company Her Place For Space from home, and enjoys walking on her local beach with her family of boys, playing sports, gazing at the stars, reading and eating (preferably reading whilst eating!). Her favourite planet is Saturn. Liz Kay (Illustrator) When not busy doodling, Liz is usually found hiking and biking around the Yorkshire countryside and playing tennis for her local club. Liz has worked on a variety of commissions across illustrated maps, hand lettering and calligraphy, greetings cards, infographics, children’s books, newspapers and magazines, animation, murals, personalised illustrations and wedding stationery.

You've probably heard of dogs in space. Maybe even chimpanzees. But jellyfish? Almost certainly not! 
 
Join Dr Sheila Kanani as she discovers a weird and wonderful cast of animals who have travelled into space, from Ham the chimpanzee to Félicette the cat, and the 60,000 jellyfish who have orbited the Earth (did you know you can also get jellyfish-shaped galaxies?). You'll meet the microscopic creatures that can survive in the vacuum of space, and wonder &ndash; could aliens really exist? 
 
This fantastical journey into the wild and surprising realms of space weaves together astronomy, physics and biology, and is sure to inspire space-obsessed and animal-loving kids everywhere.

A Colourful Compendium of Space and Science

Can You Get Rainbows in Space?

"This beautifully illustrated journey over the rainbow gave me the answers to fascinating questions I hadn't even realised I really needed to ask! A book shimmering with joyously colourful facts to focus the curiosity of young readers."

"Can You Get Rainbows in Space is a stunning kaleidoscope beaming out a huge range of science topics, from astronomy to zoology, expertly stitched together by the threads of colours!"

"The most colourful book about science and our world and why it is so beautiful!"

"It's a glowing journey through the rainbow. Who knew the secret of why some eyes are blue, and that it's actually an optical illusion! Lavishly illustrated, this book shows us there's so much to find out about our colourful world and how we see it."

Why is blood red? Why are carrots orange? Who invented the lightbulb? Why is the world 'going green'? Is the sky really blue? And what is ultraviolet light? 
 
You'll discover the answers to these questions - and many more - in this incredible collection of scientific facts about colour. We'll talk about light (the most important thing) and waves (not the kind you see at the beach - though you will learn why the sea looks blue!). You'll find out how some animals are able to glow in the dark and how others change their colours to hide from predators. 
 
Keep reading to discover why leaves change colour in the autumn, why your veins look blue but your blood is red, and how the language we use shapes the colours we see . . . 
 
And you'll even be taught by a real astronomer, Dr Sheila Kanani, exactly how to make a rainbow - in space.

Abridged Edition

Penguin Readers Level 2: The Extraordinary Life of Rosa Parks (ELT Graded Reader)

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. 
 
Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. 
 
The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. 
 
The Extraordinary Life of Rosa Parks, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages. 
 
One day, Rosa Parks got on a bus and did not give her seat to a white person. This helped to change the lives of black people in America. This is Rosa's extraordinary story. 
 
Visit the Penguin Readers website 
Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Dr Sheila Kanani is a space cadet, with her head high up in the clouds, even though her feet are firmly on planet Earth. Sheila became interested in space and astronomy at the age of 13 and her passion sky-rocketed from there. She has a PhD in planetary science and her favourite planet is Saturn. Her favourite 'work' interests are teaching GCSE Astronomy and giving public talks to audiences of all ages and sizes, while representing her place of work, the Royal Astronomical Society, which she adores.

With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. 
 
The Extraordinary Life of Rosa Parks, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages. 
 
One day, Rosa Parks got on a bus and did not give her seat to a white person. This helped to change the lives of black people in America. This is Rosa's extraordinary story.

The Extraordinary Life of Amelia Earhart

Ameila Earhart was: 
 
A pilot 
 
A record-breaker 
 
An inspiration 
 
Ameila Earhart broke flying records, wrote best-selling books, launched a fashion label and fought for the rights of female pilots everywhere. 
 
Her disappearance, in the midst of her attempt to circumnavigate the globe, is one of history's greatest unsolved mysteries, and today she is remembered as not only the first female pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean, but for being a bold, brace and adventurous woman who fought tirelessly for what she believed. 
 
Explore other extraordinary lives: 
The Extraordinary Life of Stephen Hawking 
The Extraordinary Life of Michelle Obama 
The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson 
The Extraordinary Life of Mahatma Gandhi 
The Extraordinary Life of Alan Turing 
The Extraordinary Life of Serena Williams 
The Extraordinary Life of Nelson Mandela 
The Extraordinary Life of Greta Thunberg 
The Extraordinary Life of Nelson Mandela

Puffin (Author) Since publishing a series of non-fiction in 1940, Puffin has grown to become one of the most iconic children's entertainment brands in the world. Publishing stories for children from 0 -12 Puffin is home to famous authors, illustrators and children's brands including Roald Dahl, Jacqueline Wilson, Malorie Blackman, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Snowman and Diary of a Wimpy Kid to name but a few. Many of these stories live beyond the book and have inspired films, music and games. 
 
Puffin is always on the look-out for new talent and is committed to giving children access to stories, through innovative formats and partnerships; ensuring that the magic of imagination passes from one generation to the next. 
 
Dream big, Read Puffin. Sheila Kanani (Author) Dr Sheila Kanani is a space cadet, with her head high up in the clouds, even though her feet are firmly on planet Earth. Sheila became interested in space and astronomy at the age of 13 and her passion sky-rocketed from there. She has a PhD in planetary science and her favourite planet is Saturn. Her favourite 'work' interests are teaching GCSE Astronomy and giving public talks to audiences of all ages and sizes, while representing her place of work, the Royal Astronomical Society, which she adores.

Amelia Earhart broke flying records, wrote best-selling books, launched a fashion label and fought for the rights of female pilots everywhere. Her disappearance, in the midst of her attempt to circumnavigate the globe, is one of history's greatest unsolved mysteries, and today she is remembered as not only the first female pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean, but for being a bold, brace and adventurous woman who fought tirelessly for what she believed. 
 
Collect them all! 
Michelle Obama 
Malala Yousafzai 
Stephen Hawking 
Neil Armstrong 
Katherine Johnson 
Anne Frank 
Mahatma Gandhi 
Rosa Parks 
Mary Seacole 
 
Coming in 2020: 
Greta Thunberg 
Alan Turing 
Freddie Mercury 
Serena Williams 
Steve Jobs 
Amelia Earhart 
Nelson Mandela

The Extraordinary Life of Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks was: 
 
An activist 
 
A campaigner for equal rights 
 
An inspiration 
 
Rosa Parks, the woman known for refusing to give up her seat on the bus, triggered a great shift in the fight for civil rights. Raised in Alabama, Rosa Parks knew all about the racism of her society from an early age. Discover how she became the brilliant activist we know today, in this beautifully illustrated book with real-life stories, timelines and facts to bring her extraordinary story to life. 
 
Explore other extraordinary lives: 
The Extraordinary Life of Stephen Hawking 
The Extraordinary Life of Michelle Obama 
The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson 
The Extraordinary Life of Mahatma Gandhi 
The Extraordinary Life of Alan Turing 
The Extraordinary Life of Serena Williams 
The Extraordinary Life of Nelson Mandela

Sheila Kanani (Author) Dr Sheila Kanani is a space cadet, with her head high up in the clouds, even though her feet are firmly on planet Earth. Sheila became interested in space and astronomy at the age of 13 and her passion sky-rocketed from there. She has a PhD in planetary science and her favourite planet is Saturn. Her favourite 'work' interests are teaching GCSE Astronomy and giving public talks to audiences of all ages and sizes, while representing her place of work, the Royal Astronomical Society, which she adores.

Rosa Parks, the woman known for refusing to give up her seat on the bus, triggered a great shift in the fight for civil rights. Raised in Alabama, Rosa Parks knew all about the racism of her society from an early age. Discover how she became the brilliant activist we know today, in this beautifully illustrated book with real-life stories, timelines and facts to bring her nextraordinary story to life.

The Extraordinary Life of Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is: 
 
A First Lady of the United States of America. 
 
A lawyer 
 
An inspiration 
 
As well as a writer, activist and feminist icon. Michelle was born and raised in Chicago, she studied and worked hard to become a lawyer, and then took to the international stage as First Lady. 
 
This beautifully illustrated book tells the extraordinary story of Michelle Obama's life, perfect for young readers everywhere. 
 
Explore other extraordinary lives: 
The Extraordinary Life of Stephen Hawking 
The Extraordinary Life of Malala Yousafzai 
The Extraordinary Life of Anne Frank 
The Extraordinary Life of Mahatma Gandhi 
The Extraordinary Life of Rosa Parks 
The Extraordinary Life of Serena Williams 
The Extraordinary Life of Nelson Mandela

Lawyer, writer, activist and First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama has become a role model and modern icon all over the world. From her childhood in Chicago, to her role as an advocate for women and diversity, via her incredibly influential time in the White House, be inspired by her determination, her voice and her story. 
 
This beautifully illustrated book with real-life stories, timelines and facts brings Michelle Obama's extraordinary life to young readers everywhere.

From black holes to the big bang to the stardust in our fingertips

10 Extraordinary Ideas that Shaped our Universe

Dr Sheila Kanani is here to explain ten of the most EXTRAORDINARY ideas in science – and introduce the incredible brains that you never knew were behind them. 
 
Each chapter explores one important idea: how it works, why it’s important, and the real story of how it was discovered. Did you know for example that Isaac Newton was influenced by scientists from the Islamic Golden Age? You’ll also hear about the unbelievable accidents behind some of these amazing ideas, as well as the mysteries that scientists are still trying to solve. 
 
With stunning illustrations from Liz Kay, this beautiful treasury is perfect for curious kids to dip in and out of, and is packed with fascinating facts. 
 
The ideal gift for budding scientists aged 8–12 (and the adults in their lives, too!).

Dr Sheila Kanani (Author) 
Dr Sheila Kanani MBE is a planetary scientist, EDI consultant, space educator and author, with a background in astrophysics and astronomy research from UK universities. She regularly acts as a science ambassador, visiting schools and speaking at events, and is an advocate for diversity in physics and astronomy. Sheila runs her company Her Place For Space from home, and enjoys walking on her local beach with her family of boys, playing sports, gazing at the stars, reading and eating (preferably reading whilst eating!). Her favourite planet is Saturn. 
 
Liz Kay (Illustrator) 
When not busy doodling, Liz is usually found hiking and biking around the Yorkshire countryside and playing tennis for her local club. Liz has worked on a variety of commissions across illustrated maps, hand lettering and calligraphy, greetings cards, infographics, children’s books, newspapers and magazines, animation, murals, personalised illustrations and wedding stationery.

Sheila Kanani

Liz Kay

The amazing science of sound and space

Did you know....<ul><li>That sound travels faster underwater?</li><li>Or that crickets hear with their knees?</li><li>Or that astronauts have played musical instruments in space?</li></ul> 
Join Dr Sheila Kanani on a fascinating exploration of the world of sound and space science! You'll start with the sound technology we use every day, then explore the natural world including animal noises, thunder and earthquakes, before jetting off into space to discover what sound might be like on other planets. And yes, you'll even find out whether it’s possible to get music on the moon! 
 
You'll discover mind-blowing facts about sound and space – for example:<ul><li>Did you know you can get marsquakes as well as earthquakes?</li><li>Or that the president of the United States once made a phone call to the moon?</li><li>Or that astronaut Chris Hadfield filmed a viral music video in space?</li></ul> 
With stunning full-colour illustrations by Liz Kay that bring the magic of sound and space to life, this out-of-this-world book is perfect for getting kids aged 7+ excited about science.

Sheila Kanani

Books by Sheila Kanani

Articles featuring Sheila Kanani

How much do you know about the science of colours?

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