Brian Greene, one of my favorite nonfiction authors, has written a new book with a unique twist. Icarus at the Edge of Time is a retelling of the Greek myth, but this time Icarus is a boy who travels through space, confronting the nearly incomprehensible power of black holes. It's interesting that Mr. Greene has switched venues by choosing to write a fictional account, but the most interesting part is the format - a board book. At first it appears to be written for adults, but this beautiful book really holds appeal for all ages. Stunning photos from the Hubble telescope showcase the awesome nature of space, and the story, while familiar, offers adults the opportunity to ponder larger issues, and children the gift of seeing how images can enhance the beauty of the written word. One of the challenges for my department was deciding how to catalog such a title, but in the end, we decided to shelve it in the juvenile collection. It is truly what we call a "crossover" work - all ages will want to share in Mr. Greene's journey into fiction...and space.
Other titles by Brian Greene:
The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time and the Texture of Reality
The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory
