How to Hear the Universe is the story of how Gaby Gonzalez picked up and continued working on Einstein’s theory of ripples in space-time. The picture book is engaging and brightly illustrated and is an inspiring scientific theory success story. My only reservation is that this theory is so complicated, I finished the books still not comprehending what a ripple in space-time really is, even after reading the helpful further reading in the back. What I chose to take away instead, was how amazing science is, in that a hundred years after a theory has been developed, it can be further explored. It’s such an wonderful collective of minds, and it’s always nice to be reminded that scientists don’t work in a bubble and that every theory or discovery leads to further theory and discovery, even if it’s a century later.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library

With the phrase “space-time” in the title, any inquisitive person will want to learn about Einstein’s theory about hearing ripples in space-time and the serendipitous event that allowed a scientist and her team to prove his theory. The friendly watercolor and digital media illustrations in this picture book may make Einstein a white haired and mustached gentleman before he actually looked that way, but they definitely make him identifiable in the book. When Einstein first presents his theory, it is to a row of male scientists. The story then introduces Gabriela (Gaby) González. When Gaby is studying and teaming up with scientists, the illustrations show a much more diverse collection of people. As a biography, the book is not overlong or in-depth, but its brevity may help reach the younger person who, like Gaby, could be wondering “what secrets lay beyond the stars.” Four pages of end notes include information about Einstein, Gaby, LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory), an author’s note, timeline, glossary, and sources.

Reviewed by Betsey Noble, Marcia Buker Elementary School