Ernest Rutherford: Just an Ordinary Boy

ISBN: 9781990003684
RRP NZ$24.99
Publisher: Upstart Press
Author: Maria Gill
Illustrator: Alistair Hughes
Paperback: 32 pages
Ages: 7+
Release: 9th February 2023

Ernest Rutherford: Just an Ordinary Boy

An ordinary country boy from Nelson, New Zealand would one day make major discoveries about how old Earth was, and answer centuries-old questions such as, ‘What are atoms made of?’ and ‘How do they work?’ Ernest Rutherford’s three major discoveries and many minor ones helped shape much of modern science. His work began an explosion of discoveries around matter and physics.

Ernest Rutherford grew up in a tiny town in New Zealand. He had a curious mind and yearned to further his education. But his family could not afford to send him or his eleven brothers and sisters to high school or university. Three times he tried for scholarships and each time he failed. However, with perseverance and patience he finally succeeded. He’d go on to become one of the world’s greatest scientists. This is a story about New Zealand’s most famous scientist and not giving up on your dreams.

From the award-winning author Maria Gill with stunning illustrations by Alistair Hughes. This is Maria and Alistair’s third collaboration about a significant event in New Zealand and the world’s history. Other books include ‘The King’s Medal’ and ‘Ice Breaker!’.

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ISBN: 9781990003684
RRP NZ$24.99
Publisher: Upstart Press
Author: Maria Gill
Illustrator: Alistair Hughes
Paperback: 32 pages
Ages: 7+
Release: 9th February 2023

Journal notes

Professor of Physics John Campbell emailed me to ask if I had written a story about Ernest Rutherford. I hadn’t. I checked that no other publisher intended to write his story and then proceeded to write it. I was lucky enough to get a Christchurch Arts Centre Residency for three months. There, I was able to immerse myself in Ernest Rutherford territory. I visited his museum at the Art Centre, and covered much the same ground he did over a hundred years ago. I first wrote the story as a historical junior fiction, then as a nonfiction book for children. But it wasn’t right. Like Ernest Rutherford, I was third time lucky and wrote it as a creative nonfiction picture book and the story fitted that format just right. Professor John Campbell checked the book, Alistair Hughes drew the gorgeous illustrations and then it was ready to send off to the printers.

 

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