An exploration of relative size and distance opens with four average eight year olds looking through a telescope and then comparing their height to that of an ostrich, which is twice as tall as the children but still not as tall as a giraffe, which is more than twice as tall as an ostrich or more than four times taller than the children if they were all standing on each other's shoulders. Each succeeding page shows progressively taller and taller comparison -redwood trees, skyscrapers, mountains, and then into space, where the comparisons turn to distance. Outer space expands to the Milky Way, the Andromeda galaxy, galaxy clusters, and the universe. In addition to illustrating the concepts of relative size and distance, Chin also introduces elemental astronomy and physics, but all is on a level that is comprehensible to the average eight year old, who serves as the starting place and the anchor in this intriguing look at comparisons and fascinating exploration of the vastness of space. Chin's realistic watercolor and gouache illustrations are at once whimsical and scientific. (Ages 7-10)

Explore the known Universe and consider its mind-boggling scale in this crisply illustrated, well-researched picture book from Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin.

Winner of the Cook Prize!


Most eight-year-olds are about five times as tall as this book . . . but only half as tall as an ostrich, which is half as tall as a giraffe . . . twenty times smaller than a California Redwood! How do they compare to the tallest buildings? To Mt. Everest? To stars, galaxy clusters, and . . . the universe?

Jason Chin, the award-winning author and illustrator of Grand Canyon has once again found a way to make a complex subject--size, scale and almost unimaginable distance--accessible and understandable to readers of all ages. Meticulously researched and featuring the highly detailed artwork for which he is renowned, this is How Much is a Million for the new millenium, sure to be an immediate hit with kids looking for an engaging way to delve into perspective, astronomy, and astrophysics. Curious readers will love the extensive supplementary material included in the back of the back of the book


An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book
A New England Book Award Finalist
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year!